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Amid doubts over Marc Guehi’s future at the club, Crystal Palace are now reportedly racing to sign a Serie A defender who they’ve already scouted throughout the current campaign.

Crystal Palace in form ahead of Wembley

In a week that could yet end in history, Crystal Palace couldn’t be in better form heading into this weekend’s FA Cup final against Manchester City. The Eagles haven’t tasted defeat in any of their last five games and looked a class above Tottenham Hotspur last time out as they eased to a 2-0 victory against their London rivals.

Oliver Glasner is well aware that victory over Tottenham was just a good start in an all-important week, however, after revealing how Crystal Palace will prepare for the FA Cup final this week.

The Austrian told reporters: “Yes, we will meet tomorrow (Monday). The players who started (against Spurs) will recover, the others will have a good and intense session.

When Glasner could leave Crystal Palace as final RB Leipzig plan emerges

A concern for the Eagles…

By
Tom Cunningham

May 10, 2025

“Then there will be Tuesday off. The players deserve to recover, and, of course, the staff have already started to prepare. We will watch a few Man City clips as well, and Wednesday will be the start with the preparation for Man City.

“But we can’t do something different. It also makes no sense (to do that). It’s (about) showing what we can (do), who we are on our best level, and this is how we will enter the final, and then let’s see. Then, it’s football and everything can happen.”

Meanwhile, amid the chaos of potential silverware, Crystal Palace have also had to keep one eye on the fast-approaching summer transfer window. Amid reports that Guehi is set to be at the centre of interest from the likes of Newcastle United yet again, the Eagles have reportedly set their sights on a potential replacement.

Crystal Palace scout Bologna defender Lucumi

According to The Boot Room, Crystal Palace are now looking to sign Jhon Lucumi from Bologna this summer after Steve Parish sent scouts on a fresh mission to watch the defender. Racing alongside the likes of Liverpool and Leeds United, those at Selhurst Park should push to sign the Serie A star as soon as they can, especially if Guehi does depart.

As the numbers show, Lucumi would be capable of stepping in and replacing Guehi in South London. What instantly stands out is how the Bologna defender has outperformed the Crystal Palace star when it comes to tackles and ball recoveries whilst almost matching him for progressive passes per 90.

Described as “ridiculously impressive” by analyst Ben Mattinson last year, Lucumi looks destined for a move away from Italy. Whether that means a move to Crystal Palace is set to take place remains to be seen, however. It’s clear that he is talented enough for the Premier League, though.

Chelsea have reportedly submitted their opening offer for a Serie A star who’s openly admitted that he’ll consider offers to leave his club, with Enzo Maresca’s side expected to move quickly in the transfer market after their Conference League victory.

Chelsea seal Real Betis comeback to win first trophy under Maresca

The Premier League heavyweights were tipped as heavy favourites to lift this year’s Conference League trophy, but Real Betis threatened to give them a major shock.

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He’s been clocked as the fastest player in his league.

2 ByEmilio Galantini May 28, 2025

Former Real Madrid star Isco gave them a hard time in the first-half, with Moises Caicedo struggling to contain the Spaniard, and it didn’t take long for Betis to secure a surprise early lead through Abde Ezzalzouli on the nine-minute mark.

Chelsea failed to kickstart any sort of momentum until midway through the second period, when Maresca’s side suddenly came to life and sparked a tremendous comeback against Manuel Pellegrini’s underdogs.

Goals from Enzo Fernández, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Caicedo, in the space of just half an hour, put the result beyond all doubt, with Chelsea taking home the Conference League spoils and confirming Maresca’s first piece of silverware since taking over as manager last year.

“We’ve improved a lot since we started,” said Maresca about Chelsea’s evolution in the last few weeks.

“We also started to win games in an ugly way. That is something with a young squad that you struggle to do that, but I think, for instance, in the Nottingham Forest game we won in a little bit of an ugly way. We found the way to win the game, that was very, very important.

“And then the best picture for me for tonight that made me understand that we were in the right direction is when we scored the first two guys to celebrate was Malo Gusto and Benoit Badiashile. The two that we changed. And this, probably sometimes we judge games, but this for me, for a manager, when you change players that they are not playing good and they are the first that they enjoy the celebration, that means a lot.”

Palmer in particular was vital in their comeback against Betis, putting in a genius attacking display, and BlueCo reportedly have every intention of providing the England international with quality new teammates this summer.

Chelsea submit opening bid for Lazio star Mario Gila

One of the key items on their agenda is the signing of a centre-back, according to Simon Phillips and other reliable sources. Chelsea held rounds of talks with Dean Huijsen before his switch to Real Madrid, but they haven’t given up on their chase for a new defender after missing out on the 20-year-old.

According to newspaper Il Messaggero, Lazio centre-back Mario Gila has now found his way onto Chelsea’s shortlist of targets as they seek an alternative to Huijsen.

The 24-year-old was a mainstay of Lazio’s backline throughout 2024/2025, with only midfielder Matteo Guendouzi playing more league minutes for them than Gila. However, he may well have played his final game for Marco Baroni’s side, and admitted midway through the campaign that he’s ready to listen to other offers despite becoming a “special” figure in Rome.

“I am very happy. Since last year, I started playing midway through the season, and everything is going very well. For a player, being a special figure is very important,” said Gila.

“At this moment, I am happy to be here. After that, whatever happens, I am ready to listen to everything. I have ambitions, and if there are options, I will listen to them and evaluate them. But I am very happy here; the team values me.”

Now, it would appear the Blues have taken him up on this.

Il Messagero reports that Chelsea have made an offer of around £29 million for Gila, but Lazio value him somewhere closer to £44 million, given his key player status and the fact Real Madrid possess a 50% sell-on clause – meaning they’d get half of any transfer fee received for the Spanish defender.

Gila is a reliable centre-half, possessing a unique blend of youth and experience at the top level, which leaves little surprise that Maresca’s side are now expressing a serious interest.

da heads bet： Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and the recruitment team have reportedly reached a transfer fee agreement over signing another player this summer, with the club wasting no time in kickstarting their expected busy summer window.

The positions Arsenal want to strengthen this summer

da luck： According to a recent update via Sky Sports, Arsenal will have “at least” £100 million to spend on new signings when the window reopens, which does not include any funds raised by player sales.

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The Gunners are making progress in their pursuit of a forward, who has enjoyed a fantastic 2024-25 campaign.

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Once outgoings are taken into account, with Arsenal ready to sell Jakub Kiwior for £29 million and Oleksandr Zinchenko widely expected to depart the Emirates, among others, then it is likely Berta will have even more money to reinvest in the squad.

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

It is believed by some media sources that Arsenal are targeting a second-choice keeper, full-back, midfielder, left-winger, striker and a potential alternative to Bukayo Saka, as per GiveMeSport, and they’ve already made significant progress on a couple of these aims.

Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is set to join Arsenal from the La Liga side (Fabrizio Romano), with the Spain international finally agreeing to make the switch to England after months of talks.

Following Zubimendi, reports have claimed that Arsenal are advancing in talks for Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, as Berta looks to end their long search for a prolific striker very early into his tenure as director.

While there are suggestions that Sporting want Gyokeres’ final price tag paid within two years, which poses an obstacle for Arsenal to overcome in negotiations, it has now been stated that both sides have at least shaken hands on that valuation.

Arsenal agree £59m deal with Sporting CP to sign Viktor Gyokeres

According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (via The Mirror), Arsenal have reached an agreement with Sporting to sign Gyokeres for £59 million – which comes as a pretty bold claim.

The Monday headline from O Jogo’s front page also reads that Gyokeres is “on his way to Arsenal”, indicating that Mikel Arteta is on the verge of striking a full deal for the free-scoring Sweden international.

Despite some previous reports to the contrary, O Jogo believes that the Gunners still need to agree personal terms with the 26-year-old. While it isn’t completely sealed in that sense, Sporting’s demands have apparently been settled already, which comes as some very good news for Arteta if accurate.

The former Coventry City star’s links to N5 don’t appear to be going away any time soon, and there is little doubting he’d be an exciting signing for Arsenal after two phenomenal back-to-back campaigns in the Primeira Liga.

Gyokeres boasts 96 goals and 28 assists from 101 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese heavyweights, so £59 million could be considered one of the bargains of the summer for a player who’s been bagging goals for fun in one of Europe’s major leagues.

Arsenal head into the summer with a new sporting director, Andrea Berta, and given the volume of work expected to be carried out, it’s just as well they’ve acted swiftly to appoint Edu’s successor.

Given Arsenal’s domestic plight this season, this summer is a crucial one for the Gunners as they go in search of adding the bodies required to help them lift their first Premier League title in over 20 years.

Top of Berta’s priority list must be a striker. Kai Havertz has been a solid signing, but he’s not your 20-goal-a-season man.

The likes of Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres, and of course, Alexander Isak continue to be linked with moves to north London.

Yet, this summer won’t all be about incomings. The Gunners need to get rid of a few bodies too.

Arsenal's exit dilemmas this summer

There are a few players definitely expected to depart this summer with Scottish full-back Kieran Tierney set to bring his association with the club to an end when his contract expires.

It’s expected that Tierney will head to former club Celtic, the side he swapped Arsenal for in a £25m deal in 2019.

Midfielder Jorginho is also expected to depart upon the conclusion of his contract but against all odds, Thomas Partey looks set to stay.

The Ghana midfielder’s deal ends at the conclusion of the season and it was widely thought that he would depart but the Athletic’s David Ornstein reported last week that talks are being held over a new deal.

So, who else could take their leave? Well, Oleksandr Zinchenko – who was linked with Dortmund last January – has seen decreased game time and will likely seek pastures new.

If Arsenal sign a new batch of forwards then don’t be surprised to see Leandro Trossard flee the Emirates either. There has been Saudi interest in the enigmatic Belgian who has found a recent run of strong form.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The other forward who must leave Arsenal

Over the last two seasons, there has been a common theme with Arsenal’s summer business. They’ve seen a batch of homegrown attackers leave the club.

In 2023, it was the turn of Folarin Balogun who after a rip-roaring season on loan in France, headed to Monaco in a permanent deal.

Last summer, Eddie Nketiah left for Crystal Palace, Mika Biereth headed to Sturm Graz in Austria and infamously, Chibo Obi Martin left to Manchester United.

Well, in 2025, it must be the turn of Nathan Butler-Oyedeji.

The striker is out of contract in the summer and it’s unlikely Arsenal will take the opportunity to renew his terms.

Now aged 22, the forward has still only played 27 senior games of football in his career, and the returns he has to show for those appearances are non-existent, failing to find the back of the net.

While it might be a harsh assessment, one has to be realistic here. Butler-Oyedeji is just one year younger than Saka. He’s four years older than Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. While we wish him the best for the rest of his career, he’s not going to make it Arsenal, it’s as simple as that.

Arsenal U21

64

23

12

Arsenal U18

29

3

2

Cheltenham

14

0

0

Accrington

11

0

0

Arsenal first team

2

0

0

Despite that, it has been a landmark campaign for the young attacker who must have learnt plenty from his regular appearances in the Arsenal matchday squad.

He made his first-team debut against Dinamo Zagreb, appearing off the bench in a Champions League dead rubber a few months ago and then finally earned his Premier League debut last weekend, coming off the bench against Ipswich.

He’s rated highly, particularly by the aforementioned Nwaneri, who revealed that his “finishing is so good”.

It was a lovely moment indeed, but for a 22-year-old it’s for the best of his career that he goes out and finds regular first-team football at a senior level next season.

Arsenal are yet to see much of that expert finishing, but there’s no doubt he’ll have a successful career elsewhere. As we always say, one a Gooner, always a Gooner.

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MI have been boosted by the return of Nicholas Pooran but they will be wary of a Capitals line-up that enters the final on the back of four successive wins

Himanshu Agrawal16-Feb-20243:24

Pooran: ‘I’m a son of franchise cricket’

Big pictureIPL team owners sensed an opportunity, and expanded their network last year. Mumbai Indians took a seat in each of SA20, ILT20, WPL and MLC. Not to be left too far behind, Delhi Capitals, too, boarded the flight to South Africa and the UAE, while also spreading their reach in India through WPL.Come Saturday, MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals, both UAE affiliates of the respective franchises, will be meeting in the final of the second edition of the ILT20.MI Emirates and Capitals have been reinforced with the return of Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell respectively. But amid modern players criss-crossing the globe like the snake in that game on the screens of Nokia phones, there is also the departure of Tim David, David Warner, Kusal Perera and Fazalhaq Farooqi that the teams have to deal with because of the clash with international cricket.Just like in Qualifier 1, MI Emirates will be having both Nicholas Pooran, who is back from West Indies duty, and Kieron Pollard, who liked up with MI Emirates after his SA20 side MI Cape Town couldn’t make the playoffs. MI Emirates have a varied spin-bowling attack in left-arm orthodox spinner Akeal Hosein, left-arm wristspinner Waqar Salamkheil and legspinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.But they will be wary of a Capitals line-up that enters the final on the back of four successive wins. All but out of the final-four race at one stage, Capitals hit back by hunting down 172 against Desert Vipers and defending 147 against MI Emirates, no less. They then registered massive wins in the Eliminator and Qualifier 2 to make the final.So who takes the ILT20 trophy home could be intriguing to watch. Capitals, who are yet to win a tournament across any of their investments, will be itching to get their hands on a silverware while MI’s cupboard is already brimming with five IPL titles, and the inaugural WPL and MLC trophies.Form guide
MI Emirates: WLLWW
Dubai Capitals: WWWWL
Nicholas Pooran and Sam Billings pose with the ILT20 trophy•ILT20In the spotlightHe might have had underwhelming returns with scores of 18, 18 and 1 for West Indies in the T20Is against Australia, but Nicholas Pooran remains a threat. His strike rate of 164 and average of 42 are the highest for any batter to have scored at least 250 runs in this season’s ILT20.And while Pooran brings rich form, his counterpart Sam Billings knows how to win the big matches. He is already a holder of the T20 Blast, the PSL and the Hundred titles, and would spare no effort in adding the ILT20 trophy to the list. As with Capitals this time, Billings was Kent and Oval Invincibles captain when they won the final. But his returns in those games add up to merely 21 at an average of seven. So chasing another trophy aside, Billings has a personal record to improve too.Probable XIIsMI Emirates: 1 Muhammad Waseem, , 3 Andre Fletcher, 4 Dan Mousley, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Nicholas Pooran (capt, wk), 7 Dwayne Bravo, 8 Jordan Thompson, 9 Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, , 11 Trent Boult, 12 Muhammad RohidDubai Capitals: 1 Leus de Plooy, , 3 Tom Abell, 4 Haider Ali, 5 Sam Billings (capt, wk), 6 Sikandar Raza, 7 Rovman Powell, 8 Rahul Chopra, 9 Jason Holder, 10 Olly Stone,11 Scott Kuggeleijn, 12 Stats and trivia MI Emirates had lost all three of their group games in Dubai this season, before beating Gulf Giants there in Qualifier 1.Capitals’ Sikandar Raza is the only player to have scored at least 300 runs and taken at least ten wickets this season. The top three wicket-takers in the ILT20 so far are all from MI Emirates: Farooqi, Salamkheil and Trent Boult. Capitals’ captain Billings had also played in last year’s ILT20 final, although he was representing Vipers at the time.Quotes”I think a lot of people underestimate franchise cricket. I have been a son of franchise cricket. Yes, cricket is a sport; but it’s also a business. Even team owners want to win… [It’s about] playing in different conditions against different bowlers. It definitely helped me – because at one point in my career, I was on the bench. And the bench is not nice – because when you’re on the bench, you are staying in the hotel sometimes. You’re watching your team play on the TV. I felt like I wanted to be a part of the XI. I wanted to feel that winning spirit.”

Crystal Palace have now made contact over a move for a versatile defender, who is set to be available on a free transfer in the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Palace may need summer rebuild

Palace’s winless run in the Premier League was extended to four games on Wednesday evening, although a draw against Arsenal is likely to be viewed as a positive point, with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s stunning late equaliser ensuring the spoils were shared at the Emirates Stadium.

By and large, it has been another successful campaign for the Eagles, and there is still an opportunity to make it a particularly memorable one, should they progress to the FA Cup final with a victory over Aston Villa at Wembley this weekend.

However, Oliver Glanser may be tasked with rebuilding his squad somewhat this summer, given that there is interest in Adam Wharton and Mateta, while it will also be the last opportunity to cash-in on Marc Guehi, whose contract expires in 2026.

As such, bringing in a new defender could be of particular importance to Glasner this summer, and a report from Germany has now revealed that Crystal Palace have opened talks over a deal for Eintracht Frankfurt’s Tamiou Kpebane (via The Boot Room).

Palace have made contact over a deal for Kpebane, who is set to be available on a free transfer this summer, with his contract set to expire, and he is deemed unlikely to commit to fresh terms with the Bundesliga club.

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Interestingly, the 18-year-old is able to play in five positions, having been utilised as a left-back, right-back, centre-back, attacking midfielder and right-sided forward at youth level for Frankfurt this season.

As such, the 6 foot 4 colossus could be a versatile option for Glasner, although it is unclear how long it would take for him to push for a first-team spot at Selhurst Park, given that he is yet to make a senior appearance for Frankfurt.

Crystal Palace’s upcoming fixtures

Date

Aston Villa (FA Cup semi-final)

April 26th

Nottingham Forest (h)

May 5th

Tottenham Hotspur (a)

May 11th

Wolverhampton Wanderers (h)

May 18th

Liverpool (a)

May 25th

Kpebane impressing at youth level

The teenager has most commonly been deployed as a full-back this season, but he has been extremely impressive on the front foot for Frankfurt, picking up seven goals and five assists in 21 matches in all competitions.

Those numbers suggest the German youngster could be capable of playing further forward later in his career, particularly considering he picked up two goals and two assists at right-wing in a remarkable performance against FC Nuremberg U19s last month.

Kpebane is showing very promising signs at youth level, so it is definitely worth Palace making a move this summer, with the move very low-risk due to his availability on a free transfer.

Hayes said she considered giving Girma the summer off, but star center-back asked to play for the U.S.

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Naomi Girma insisted on playing for the USWNT this JuneOnly non-NWSL player in campHas played fewer minutes this year after calf issuesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Emma Hayes was considering giving Naomi Girma time off this month, but the Chelsea center-back made it clear she wanted to be included in the upcoming USWNT squad, the manager said Wednesday after revealing her roster for three upcoming friendlies.

Girma's inclusion comes as something of a surprise as Hayes has turned to a significant NWSL contingent for the the matches against Ireland and Canada – with 24 of the 25 players in camp coming from the United States' domestic league.

Hayes said that Girma, after discussions, made it clear that she was fit enough to play, and offered her services. She also played in the USWNT's most-recent friendlies against China and Jamaica.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT HAYES SAID ABOUT GIRMA

The USWNT coach outlined her conversation with Girma: "I had a long chat with her about it, and she was like, 'Look, I feel top fresh. I haven't been going back-to-back like all the other players.' She wants to be involved with the national team because she felt she's missed the really key camps for us. And she's still learning what we're looking from her. So we took that decision with all those factors in mind."

GettyWHAT HAYES SAID ABOUT ROSE LAVELLE

Hayes also outlined the importance of the return of Rose Lavelle, who hasn't appeared for the team in more than six months after undergoing ankle surgery.

"We're incredibly excited to have her back with us for multiple reasons," Hayes said. "First of all, her personality and the character in the locker room has been sorely missed the past six months. She's supremely gifted as a football player, and playing between the eight and 10 positions. She's someone who, I think, she's maturing a top level footballer.

"It's where her game has been going in the last 12 months she's she's starting to add new dimensions in between the lines. And I'm so excited for her that she gets back to be back with the team, but also we get to be back with the team when we go to Cincinnati, her hometown – and I know she's extremely excited for that."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Hayes' comments about Girma, and her desire to play this summer, come against the backdrop of controversy with the USMNT and Christian Pulisic, who asked to be removed from the U.S.'s Gold Cup squad to rest and recover. Pulisic has faced criticism from U.S. legends for his decision.

In a move that would ease any potential Marc Guehi blow this summer, Crystal Palace have now reportedly emerged as shock contenders to sign a young defender wanted by Real Madrid.

Crystal Palace transfer news

From languishing all too close to the relegation zone to fighting for a place in the top half and reaching the last eight of the FA Cup, Crystal Palace have enjoyed quite the turnaround this season. Following a shaky start to Oliver Glasner’s first full season in charge, in which they were still reeling from Michael Olise’s summer exit, the Eagles have rediscovered their best form under the Austrian.

That form has done them no favours when attempting to fend off any interest in Guehi, however. The England centre-back was the subject of interest from Newcastle United last summer, only for Palace to price the Magpies out of a move.

Now, almost a year on from those rumours, it’s the likes of Chelsea who are reportedly interested in securing Guehi’s signature and they, unlike Newcastle, will be difficult to price out of a summer deal.

It seems as though those in South London are already preparing for the worst by lining up a shock Maxence Lacroix repeat. According to Caught Offside, Crystal Palace have emerged as shock contenders to sign Konstantinos Koulierakis from Wolfsburg, who value their defender at as much as €50m (£42m) this summer.

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1

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The Eagles are far from alone in the race to secure his signature, however, with European giants Real Madrid standing alongside Liverpool in a mammoth battle in the coming months.

"Amazing" Koulierakis could replace Guehi

Whilst Wolfsburg would feel fairly hard done by if Crystal Palace signed Lacroix one summer and then his replacement one year later, that’s exactly what the Eagles should look to do. Having worked out last summer, returning to the Bundesliga could be the key to replacing Guehi should he swap Selhurst Park for a top six move when the transfer window swings open.

Performing to similar levels to Lacroix’s final Bundesliga season, particularly on the ball, Crystal Palace are certainly looking in the right direction for a potential new centre-back partnership. A move to the Premier League would be Koulierakis’ biggest yet and continue his rise from the central defender who football talent scout Jacek Kulig described as “amazing” at PAOK into one to watch in England’s top tier.

Whether Palace can cause a shock a beat the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid to sign their second Wolfsburg defender in as many years remains to be seen. With or without Selhurst Park, however, Koulierakis looks destined for great things.

da brwin： Amid increasing rumours linking Alexander Isak with a move to Arsenal this summer, a former Invincible has revealed the similarities between the Swede and former teammate Thierry Henry.

Arsenal Invincible compares Isak and Henry

da dobrowin： The rumours surrounding Isak should come as no surprise. The forward has been the star of the show at Newcastle United in recent seasons and perhaps no more so than in the current campaign, scoring the Magpies’ second goal on their way to defeating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

That form has only continued at international level too, as he scored a stunning goal for Sweden in a thrashing of Northern Ireland this week.

If Newcastle’s reported price tag is anything to go by, then they’re well aware of the battle that they’ll have on their hands this summer. The Magpies have reportedly slapped a valuation as high as £120m to sell Isak this summer in the hope of fending off the likes of Arsenal.

Only adding fuel to the transfer flames, however, Arsenal Invincible Philippe Senderos has revealed the three traits that the talented striker shares with former teammate and Gunners legend Henry.

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He’s one to watch…

Posts ByTom Cunningham Mar 26, 2025

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, when asked about whether Isak can reach Henry’s levels, Senderos said: “Well, why not?

“He definitely has the attributes to be able to do that but to reach the heights of the likes of Thierry Henry, you need to be special in terms of your mental approach to the game and this is developed over years, but you have it when you start. To be compared to Thierry is a big big honour because Thierry was and is a special type of person.

“Speed, for sure, dribbling attributes and direct to the goal, links up well. He’s (Isak), not only a goalscorer, he also makes his teammates play and do better. Yes, he does, but again I go back to Thierry and the amount of years that he’s been doing it and how special he is and was as a player, he still has a long way I would say.”

Isak must be top of Arsenal's wishlist

On course to lose out on the Premier League title for a third season in a row, Arsenal must send a statement this summer – Mikel Arteta must welcome a big name and a striker capable of winning the Golden Boot.

His side have enjoyed an impressive rise since his arrival six seasons ago, but the Spaniard must now take the Gunners to that next level. And Isak would play a large part in that alongside rising stars Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who are expected to play larger roles next year to strengthen the squad even further.

Whilst Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have scored a combined 22 goals, Isak alone has found the back of the net 23 times in all competitions for the Magpies. His price tag may be hefty, but there is no doubt that the Newcastle star would be worth every penny.

A player who has similar traits to Henry, as revealed by Senderos, Isak looks destined to steal the headlines this summer.

da betobet： Having already agreed deals to sign Geovany Quenda and Dario Essugo, Todd Boehly and Chelsea are now reportedly ready to sign yet another young gem ahead of the summer transfer window.

Chelsea spend big yet again

da fazobetai： Despite failing to qualify for the Champions League last season, Chelsea spent big to welcome the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Pedro Neto last summer in the hope of forming a side capable of reaching the Premier League’s top four. Now, almost a year later and under a new manager in Enzo Maresca, the Blues look destined to achieve that goal.

There is no rest for the wicked, however, and Boehly has once again turned his attention towards the summer transfer window – already agreeing deals to sign both Quenda and Essugo from Sporting CP. Spending a combined €72m (£60m) before the transfer window has even opened, the Blues once again wasted little time.

Even after the Sporting duo, Boehly is reportedly not done there. According to CaughtOffside, Chelsea are now ready to make their move to sign Jorrel Hato ahead of the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal this summer.

The Ajax defender, reportedly valued at around €30m (£25m), is still just 19 years old but has seemingly done enough to find himself on the radar of a number of Premier League sides.

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A left-back by trade, Hato could bring an end to any doubt down Chelsea’s left-hand side and perhaps steal in ahead of Marc Cucurella in Maresca’s strongest side. However, amid interest from elsewhere, whether the Dutchman becomes the latest young gem to arrive in west London remains to be seen.

"Exciting" Hato could eventually replace Cucurella

Even if Hato is not quite ready to replace Cucurella this summer, that should be Chelsea’s long-term aim. Meanwhile, the Dutchman’s ability to fill in at centre-back should ensure that he doesn’t struggle for game time in a squad filled to the brim with young talent.

Hato has earned plenty of praise during his rise through the ranks at Ajax, including from football talent scout Jacek Kulig who dubbed the 19-year-old “one of the most exciting” left-footed centre-backs in world football.

What Boehly wants at Chelsea, he usually gets – and that may be no different in his pursuit of Hato this summer.

It’s been clear throughout the current campaign that even as they sit fourth, Maresca’s side are far from the finished article. Alas, the arrival of an improved left-back could go a long way towards reaching that stage at Stamford Bridge.