Arsenal are in “ongoing” transfer discussions with a forward via agents, as sporting director Andrea Berta and manager Mikel Arteta continue their planning for the summer transfer window.

Arsenal braced for historic Champions League night at Real Madrid

While their recruitment plans for next season are beginning to be put into focus, Arteta and co’s current first priority is preparing for what could be an historic Champions League night at the Bernabeu.

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Arsenal hold a 3-0 aggregate lead over Real Madrid heading into their quarter-final second leg, courtesy of two sensational free-kicks from Declan Rice and Mikel Merino’s superb finish at the Emirates this time last week.

Ipswich Town (away)

April 20th

Crystal Palace (home)

April 23rd

Bournemouth (home)

May 3rd

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

Los Blancos must now mount a major comeback to stand any hope of keeping their Champions League hopes alive, but it is only half-time and Carlo Ancelotti’s side still pose a serious threat.

It is by some distance Arsenal’s most crucial game of the entire season so far, and it has the power to make or break their campaign after they conceded defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

Nothing less than perfect will do against Europe’s most feared side on away turf, with potential victory against Real also coming as a real statement to the rest of the continent that Arsenal are now among it’s truly elite teams.

A good run in the Champions League will also pay dividends when it comes to attracting their top transfer targets when the window reopens, with Berta planning to sign multiple attackers for Arsenal after being appointed as their new sporting director.

This reportedly includes a left-winger, right-winger and striker (GiveMeSport), with many interesting names becoming linked to joining Arteta as we approach what will be a “big” summer for Arsenal, by Arteta’s own admission.

In the last few days, it has emerged that Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman is becoming a more serious target for Arsenal.

Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg first reported the Frenchman is being viewed as an alternative to Leroy Sané, and Arsenal are among the favourites to strike a deal for Coman.

Now, the same journalist has shared another update on the 28-year-old’s future involving Arsenal.

Arsenal in "ongoing" talks with Bayern Munich star Kingsley Coman

Plettenberg reports that Coman’s representatives are in “ongoing” talks over a potential move to Arsenal, while Bayern are set to replace the winger, eight years after he completed a permanent move to Bayern from Juventus for around £18 million.

“There is contact between Arsenal and Kingsley Coman’s management, with both sides in ongoing communication,” wrote Plettenberg.

“Arsenal are aware that Saudi Arabia is a very appealing option for Coman, but they have expressed their interest. Coman and Bayern are expected to part ways in the summer. The situation is positive, with open dialogue between all parties. Coman will be replaced.”

The former PSG forward has featured regularly under Vincent Kompany this campaign, heading into double digits for goals and assists combined, but he’s been in and out of the starting eleven amid fierce competition for places.

The Premier League appears a viable move as he hits the prime of his career, with Tottenham also believed to be expressing an interest in Coman this summer.

It was another tough day at the office for Ipswich Town last Sunday but it was shaping up to be a remarkable one for the relegation candidates.

For a while, it looked as if Kieran McKenna’s side would come away from their game against Chelsea with all three points and close the gap on survival.

Julio Enciso and Ben Johnson had given the Tractor Boys hope of pulling off a remarkable league double against the Blues but an own goal from Axel Tuanzebe and a strike from Jadon Sancho meant they had to settle for a point.

Consequently, it now is really starting to look like next season will see the Suffolk side return to the Championship.

However, they certainly have the players to bounce right back, and if they are forced to sell, they’ll make a pretty penny, especially off one star who’s been compared to an international ace valued at over £100m.

Ipswich's biggest sales

So, before talking about the player who could easily become Ipswich’s biggest-ever sale, it’s worth examining those who currently make up the list, such as Tyrone Mings.

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The Aston Villa star joined the club for just £10k from non-league Chippenham Town in 2013 and would go on to make 63 appearances for the Tractor Boys, scoring once and providing eight assists.

Then, in the summer of 2015, Bournemouth paid a whopping £8m for his services, which equates to a massive 79900% increase on what he originally cost the Suffolk side – talk about wheeling and dealing.

One of the other most expensive sales in the club’s history was of striker Connor Wickham.

The Englishman was an academy product and, after making his first team debut in the 08/09 season, went on to score 15 goals and provide four assists in 72 appearances.

Appearances

72

Minutes

4165′

Goals

15

Assists

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.26

Minutes per Goal Involvement

219.21′

It was in the summer of 2011 that Sunderland paid an initial fee of around £8.1m for the centre-forward’s services, which, again, netted the Blues a hefty profit.

However, if the club are forced to sell some of their stars this summer, then there is one who, thanks to his form and comparisons to other top players, could net them a fortune.

The star who could be Ipswich's biggest sale

While there are several top-quality players in Ipswich’s squad, it will likely come as no surprise that the one we are talking about is Liam Delap.

While he didn’t start the game against the Blues due a lack of training in midweek, one does wonder what the result may have been had he begun the game, notably scoring against Enzo Maresca’s side in the reverse fixtures.

The former Manchester City star joined the club for around £20m in the summer and has since racked up a sensational haul of 12 goals and two assists in just 30 Premier League games.

Such a brilliant rate of return has not only caught the interest of other top sides, like Manchester United, but also seen the 22-year-old “wrecking-ball,” as dubbed by Sky Sports reporter Lewis Jones, compared to another of Europe’s most exciting strikers, Benjamin Sesko.

The comparison stems from FBref, which looks at players in similar positions in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one and, in this instance, has concluded that the Slovenian is the ninth most similar striker to the Englishman.

The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, non-penalty expected goals plus assists, key passes, crosses, goal-creating actions, ball recoveries and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.36

0.40

Shots on Target

1.01

1.13

Key Passes

0.78

0.72

Expected Assists

0.05

0.06

Crosses

0.16

0.14

Goal-Creating Actions

0.27

0.36

Ball Recoveries

2.13

2.49

However, while the comparison to a Champions League striker is nice in and of itself, it’s also encouraging regarding Delap’s value.

For example, the CIES Football Observatory values the former RB Salzburg star at a whopping €116.6m, which converts to about £100m, and if the Blues’ ace is so statistically similar, why shouldn’t his price tag be?

Ultimately, while going down and losing their best player is far from ideal, Ipswich can at least rest assured that if they sell Delap this summer, he will undoubtedly become their most expensive departure of all time.

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An Ipswich Town “monster” looks to be interested in leaving Portman Road this summer after two big clubs made new approaches.

Ipswich Town relegation on the cards despite Chelsea draw

The Tractor Boys look to be on course for an immediate return to the Championship from the Premier League despite holding Chelsea to a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Kieran McKenna’s side actually went into half time 2-0 up after goals from Julio Enciso and Ben Johnson, however, an Axel Tuanzebe own goal and a Jadon Sancho equaliser late on ensured the points would be shared.

Ipswich are now 14 points away from safety with just six games remaining, meaning their relegation could be confirmed this weekend if results don’t go their way.

Talking after the draw, McKenna said: “I thought it was a really good game. Really proud of the group again. First half was difficult and our resilience was really good. Second half we played well, really even. It was a big blow them getting a goal so early in second half. It took an incredible strike from Sancho off the bench. We gave everything and showed our quality.”

Relegation could result in a number of Portman Road exits, and one star who looks destined to leave is Liam Delap.

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He’s currently in the Championship.

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It has been claimed that if Ipswich drop down to the Championship, his release clause will lower from £40m to £30m, and some big clubs are making moves for his services.

Liam Delap open to Ipswich Town exit to sign for Chelsea

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Chelsea and Man Utd have been making new approaches to sign Delap from Ipswich in recent weeks.

The striker is a top target for the Red Devils, however, it is added that Delap is interested in leaving Ipswich for Champions League football, something Chelsea may be able to offer ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Delap has scored 12 top flight goals this season and has been praised on multiple occasions this season, including from teammate Alex Palmer, who called the forward a “monster”.

“You look at him and he’s a monster. He’s a young lad that’s got the enthusiasm and energy – and also the talent. So for us to have him and him be playing as well as he is at the moment, he’s going to have a big part to play the rest of the season.

“He’s a proper striker, and I think for us as well he’s an outlet. He’s a big physical boy. He’s not huge but he’s got that raw strength. Even build up, he helps us stick and set, so he’s not just a goal scorer. He’s an all-round striker.”

Delap’s stats at Ipswich

Games

34

Goals

12

Assists

2

Yellow cards

10

Minutes played

2,422

Unfortuantely, it looks as if Delap’s days as an Ipswich player are numbered, so his next move could be one to keep an eye on, should the Tractor Boys go down in the coming weeks.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is now driving a move for an “exciting” £67m forward, who has been advised to move to Old Trafford by Cristiano Ronaldo, according to reports.

Man Utd keen to bolster attacking options

The stalemate in the Manchester derby will only have underlined the need for Man United to bolster their attacking options in the summer transfer window, and they are now stepping up their pursuit of a new striker.

One striker who Amorim knows very well is Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, and a £64m bid has reportedly been lodged for the Sweden international, who is also attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha is the latest forward to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, with the Red Devils making contact over a deal for the Brazilian, while they are also keen to bolster their options in wide areas.

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There have been recent reports United could even make an audacious £172m move for Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, should they qualify for next season’s Champions League via a Europa League triumph.

However, a move for Vinicius does not seem particularly likely, and a report from GiveMeSport has revealed that Sporting CP’s Trincao, who could be more of a realistic target, is now being pursued by Man Utd.

Amorim is driving the move for his former winger, who is also able to play through the middle, which could make him a solid alternative option to Cunha, should the Red Devils miss out on the Wolves star.

The Portuguese forward has a release clause of £67m included in his contract, which means he will not come cheap, but he is deemed more likely to move to Old Trafford than teammate Gyokeres.

Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot have recommended the move to their compatriot, although it remains to be seen whether his head is turned by his international teammates.

"Exciting" Trincao performing well in Portugal

The 25-year-old didn’t set the world alight during his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers, scoring just three goals for the Old Gold, but his impressive performances in Portugal over the past few seasons indicate he deserves a second chance in the Premier League.

This term, the former Wolves man has amassed eight goals and 12 assists in 28 Liga Portugal games, in what is on course to be his most prolific season to date.

The Portugal international also impressed for his country during their recent UEFA Nations League clash against Denmark, bagging a brace as his side prevailed 5-2 after extra-time.

Lauded as a “really exciting player” by former Wolves technical director Scott Sellars, Trincao has proven he could be a top signing for Man United, but Cunha should remain their primary target, given that the Brazil international is proven in the Premier League.

Chelsea will take a commanding lead back to Stamford Bridge after they hammered Legia Warsaw 3-0 away from home in the Conference League on Thursday evening.

The Blues heavily rotated their squad for the trip to Poland and one of the young players who came in scored their first goal for the club, as Tyrique George opened the scoring.

Noni Madueke added two goals to his seasonal tally in the second half with two strikes that were assisted by Jadon Sancho, which has left Enzo Maresca’s side in a terrific position ahead of the second leg.

The Conference League is the last chance for Chelsea to win a trophy before the end of the 2024/25 campaign, whilst they continue to compete for Champions League qualification from their Premier League season.

Despite the comfortable win, there were some negatives to come out of the trip to Legia Warsaw, as centre-forward Christopher Nkunku saw his penalty saved.

Chelsea’s strikers have failed to consistently perform across all competitions this season, and it is an area for concern ahead of the summer transfer window.

Why Chelsea need a new centre-forward

Nkunku’s missed penalty against Legia Warsaw means that he has now scored one goal in his last 18 appearances against Premier League level or Conference League teams.

The France international has also failed to register a goal or an assist in any of his last six matches in all competitions, as the ex-RB Leipzig man has been unable to prove his worth to the team in a centre-forward position.

Nkunku has not done enough with his chances this season to seriously push Nicolas Jackson for the starting role in the Premier League, with a return of five goals from 5.58 xG and seven ‘big chances’ missed in the Conference League this term.

Neither Jackson nor the French flop, however, have delivered ruthless performances in front of goal in the top-flight, leaving Maresca without a reliable goalscorer in the number nine position for all of his first season at Stamford Bridge.

24/25 Premier League	Christopher Nkunku	Nicolas Jackson
Appearances	26	25
xG	4.83	11.70
Goals	3	9
Minutes per goal	310	208
Big chances missed	6	17
Assists	2	5
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, both of Chelsea’s strikers have underperformed against their xG in the Premier League and missed more ‘big chances’ than they have managed goals scored.

These statistics show that the Blues lack a number nine who can make the most of the high-quality opportunities that the team can create for the striker in Maresca’s system, as they have racked up more than 16 xG between them.

This is why Chelsea should make signing a new centre-forward a big priority to bolster their squad in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Chelsea open talks to sign Premier League striker

According to journalist Simon Phillips’ Substack, Chelsea have opened talks to sign Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The report claims that the Blues have ‘reopened’ discussions over a deal to bring the England U21 international to Stamford Bridge to compete with Jackson and Nkunku for a starting spot in the team next season.

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It states that the Premier League giants are ‘very serious’ about getting a move over the line for the former Manchester City star and that they want to get it done before the Club World Cup kicks off in the middle of June.

The Guardian recently reported that Delap has a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave Ipswich for £30m this summer if the Tractor Boys are relegated from the division. They are currently placed in 18th and are 12th points adrift with seven matches to go.

This suggests that it could be a fairly reasonably priced deal for Chelsea to complete this summer, which is one of a number of reasons why the Blues should ensure that they win the race for his services.

Why Chelsea should sign Liam Delap

As well as his price tag, the club should swoop to sign Delap from Ipswich because he could supercharge Cole Palmer by providing the England international with the clinical number nine that he has yet to have in a Chelsea shirt.

The Tractor Boys star has outperformed Jackson and Nkunku in the Premier League this season, in what is his first season in the top-flight after loan spells with Stoke City and Hull City in the Championship in recent years.

As you can see in the graphic above, Delap has scored three more goals and missed seven fewer ‘big chances’ in comparison to the Senegal international, outperforming his xG by roughly three goals.

The 22-year-old marksman, who joined Ipswich from Manchester City last summer, has also shown that he can do it against some of the top teams in the league, as shown by the goal against Aston Villa in the clip below.

Delap has proven himself to be a Premier League-grade centre-forward who can excel in front of goal by outperforming his xG, which suggests that he would thrive alongside a creative talent like Palmer.

Cole Palmer (Premier League)	23/24	24/25
Appearances	34	30
Goals	22	14
Key passes	72	75
Big chances created	17	20
Assists	11	7
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Chelsea superstar has created a staggering 37 ‘big chances’ for his teammates since the start of last season, but has only been rewarded with 18 assists for his efforts.

This suggests that Palmer has suffered as a result of the underperformance of Chelsea’s strikers – Nkunku and Jackson – and that is why he could be supercharged by the signing of a clinical forward like Delap.

The left-footed playmaker’s assist tally could balloon next season if he has a striker, like the £30m-rated star, who can outperform his xG instead of underperforming, to create ‘big chances’ for on a regular basis.

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It is now down to the club to push to win the race for Delap in the summer transfer window and the latest report on them opening talks to sign him is a step in the right direction.

Manchester City’s major squad rebuild continues.

After Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico González, Vitor Reis and Juma Bah all joined in January, at the cost of around £180m, more big-money signings are expected to be arriving at the Etihad this summer.

So, get excited Man City fans, one of the most talented left-backs in world football could be on his way.

Manchester City's first-choice left-back target

According to a report by Lyall Thomas and Mark McAdam of Sky Sports News, Manchester City are “interested” in a move for Bournemouth left-back Miloš Kerkez, with Liverpool and Real Madrid also mentioned as clubs that are in the running.

After a very impressive season by the South Coast, the Hungarian international is widely-expected to move this summer, and is valued at £45m, according to a report by Gary Jacob of the Times, although a bidding war could see that price-tag increase.

So, could the 21-year-old be on his way to Manchester?

How Miloš Kerkez would improve Manchester City

As alluded to earlier, Kerkez has been a standout performers this season, with Matt Furniss of Opta’s the Analyst describing him as ‘one of the hottest properties’ in world football right now, adding that he’ll soon become ‘one of the best full-backs in Europe’.

Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout agrees, describing him as “one of the most talented left-backs in world football”, so let’s assess his statistics.

Miloš Kerkez 2024/25 Premier League statistics

Statistics

Kerkez

PL rank

Minutes

2,897

16th

Goals

2

120th

Assists

5

31st

Progressive carries

89

28th

Progressive passes

141

24rd

Passes attempted

1141

52nd

Key passes

30

64th

Crosses into the area

22

3rd

Shot-creating actions

74

51st

% of dribblers tackled

61.1%

49th

Blocks

33

47th

Interceptions

38

17th

Clearances

100

33rd

Ball recoveries

148

23rd

All statistics courtesy of FBref.com

As outlined in the table, Kerkez ranks highly for most metric across the board, with his attacking statistics particularly impressive, considering he is a full-back.

Only Antonee Robinson and Pedro Pedro have accumulated more than Kerkez’s 22 crosses into the penalty area, helping the Hungarian international rack up five assists, two of which came during a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in November.

So, how would he fit into Man City’s team?

Well, Pep Guardiola has deployed numerous players on the left-wing so far this season, including Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Savinho, Bernardo Silva and Marmoush, but Jérémy Doku has always appeared to be the most natural fit for this position.

The Belgian was in the headlines on Tuesday night, assisting Matheus Nunes’ last-gasp winner against Aston Villa with a sensational, impudent trivela cross that was tucked home at the back post.

Alex Keble told the Premier League that Doku’s introduction changed the game, as a result of his direct dribbling and maverick energy, something such a tactical chess match required.

Meantime, Guardiola stated on Saturday that it was “‘so unfair” that Doku had not been starting more frequently, with this the fourth successive fixture in which he’d been utilised off the bench.

The Belgian ranks second in the Premier League for attempted take-ons this season, as well as first for both successful take-ons and progressive carries, registering at least 38 more of the latter than anybody else, all according to FBref.com.

Thus, with a high-quality, reliable and consistent left-back in Kerkez behind him, we could finally see the best of Doku on a regular basis, should the pair link-up in sky blue.

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Celtic are finally Scottish Premiership champions and can celebrate their fantastic achievement for weeks to come, but their latest injury concern may have slightly dampened their spirits.

Celtic bask in the glory of being crowned Scottish Premiership champions

After weeks of closing in on a fourth successive league title, Celtic finally got the job done in style last weekend away to Dundee United, courtesy of a 5-0 victory at Tannadice. Nicolas Kuhn and Adam Idah’s doubles, coupled with an own goal from Ryan Strain, settled an emphatic scoreline before Brendan Rodgers and company were able to taste the celebratory champagne once again.

The Irishman is now the third most successful manager in Celtic history behind Willie Maley and Jock Stein. Come the summer, you would imagine he will be keen to build up ahead of steam for the Bhoys’ involvement in the final qualifying round before the Champions League league phase.

Surprisingly, Tayport Juniors goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu could join the Hoops if he impresses during a possible training stint at the club. Although he would likely be a developmental signing, there will be plenty of first-team-ready additions primed to enter the fold.

Stoke City winger Million Manhoef has emerged as a Celtic target and may be a popular candidate to shore up the wide areas, which are set to undergo surgery in light of Daizen Maeda’s sparkling form either on the flank or at centre-forward.

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Strength in depth will be needed to see off any threat from Rangers or elsewhere next term, while the Bhoys’ exploits in Europe are set to again come under the microscope once the summer has come and gone.

However, Rodgers may now have food for thought heading into 2025/26 following an injury setback surrounding one of his star assets, per reports.

Celtic star Jota set to be ruled out for several months

According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic winger Jota will miss the rest of the season and possibly the start of next campaign due to a knee injury that left him on crutches in their title-clinching victory over Dundee United.

The outlet state that an initial diagnosis is set to rule him out for ‘several months’ following a painful clash that left the Portuguese star writhing around in pain shortly after his role in the Bhoys’ opening goal at Tannadice.

Jota’s record since returning to Celtic in January – all competitions

Appearances

16

Goals

5

Assists

2

Republic of Ireland forward Idah will likely lead the line in his absence, with Maeda being switched to his familiar left-sided berth to accommodate Kuhn on the right flank.

Nevertheless, Jota’s absence will come as a blow to Rodgers, especially with Celtic’s Scottish Cup final clash against Aberdeen now only a matter of weeks away.

Labelled “fantastic” by teammate Idah, the former Benfica star is a cult hero among supporters and adds a different dimension due to his quick thinking and footwork, but the Bhoys will need to find a way to manage without him over the coming weeks.

Newcastle United have now joined Manchester United in the race to sign a £30 million rising star, according to a new report.

Newcastle chasing midfield signings ahead of busy summer

The Magpies are solely focused on the remaining games of the Premier League, as they know if they win all their games, they will be playing Champions League football next season. Securing another season in that competition would likely see Newcastle’s transfer budget for the summer change, and Eddie Howe will already have his eyes on potential new recruits.

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Signing a midfielder may become somewhat of a priority in the summer, depending on what happens to Sandro Tonali. Tonali has now been linked with a move to Barcelona and others, as the Spanish giants see him as someone who can replace Frenkie De Jong, should he not agree to a new contract.

So, Howe and Co. are looking at potential midfield additions should Tonali leave, and it’s been reported that the Magpies are interested in signing Alexis Saelemaekers from AC Milan.

The midfielder, who can also play on the wing, is out on loan at Roma, and he is expected to be made available for a sale this summer, with Milan looking to get around £17 million.

He is not the only midfielder under consideration, as Newcastle are also interested in signing Matteo Guendouzi from Lazio, as Howe is a big fan of his and tried to sign the Frenchman last year.

Newcastle join Man Utd in race to sign Liam Delap

As well as looking at strengthening their midfield, the Premier League side are also looking at potential new forwards. According to The Telegraph, Newcastle are now keen on signing Liam Delap from Ipswich Town.

The report states that the club’s recruitment team have been tracking Delap since his days at Manchester City, and he is now a player who is of major interest to them ahead of an ambitious summer transfer window. It goes on to add that the Magpies are aware of Delap’s £30 million release clause, and they believe this is good value for money for a player who can play alongside Alexander Isak – not replace him.

Newcastle play Ipswich this weekend, and it is seen as an opportunity for them to take a closer look at the striker live in action. Delap, who has been described as “incredible” by Alex Howell, is also of interest to Manchester United, with it being reported that the Red Devils have already made an offer to sign him from Ipswich, as he is their top transfer target for strengthening their forward line.

Apps

32

Goals

12

Assists

2

However, Newcastle will hope they have an advantage in this race, as Delap, who is represented by CAA Stellar, has the same agent as young forward William Osula. Therefore, previous work with the agency could help them when completing a deal for the Ipswich striker.

Fulham have a good chance of signing an “incredible” midfielder this summer, with it now looking increasingly likely he leaves his club, according to reporter Christian Falk.

Cottagers keen to strengthen in multiple areas

The Cottagers have been inconsistent in recent weeks, which has hampered their European push somewhat, but they are likely to look back on this campaign as a success regardless, given that they are on course for a top-half finish in the Premier League.

However, Marco Silva may fancy his side’s chances of qualifying for Europe next season, should he make the right additions to the squad in the summer transfer window, and targets have been identified in a number of key areas.

Amid doubts over Antonee Robinson’s future, Werder Bremen’s Felix Agu could be brought in to bolster Silva’s options at left-back, while Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters has emerged as an option on the opposite side of the defence.

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Panathinaikos striker Fotis Ioannidis and AC Milan forward Samuel Chukwueze are among the targets in attacking areas, with the west Londoners also keen to strengthen in the engine room, according to BILD reporter Falk.

Speaking to BILD, Falk has now revealed Fulham have a good chance of bringing Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha back to Craven Cottage this summer (via Sport Witness), but there could be competition from their London rivals.

West Ham United are also in the race for Palhinha, who is now looking increasingly likely to leave Bayern at the end of the season, given that he has struggled to force his way into the side since completing a €51m (£44m) move last summer.

Falk believes the Portugal international could be keen on a move back to England, adding: “I think he would consider, if an offer comes in, whether it makes sense for him to perhaps return to the British Isles.”

"Incredible" Palhinha could reignite career at Fulham

The 29-year-old may have struggled to make a name for himself in the Bundesliga, but he put in some top performances during his time at Craven Cottage, with journalist Kyle Bonn once comparing him to Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.

Silva knows he can depend on the 6-foot-3 colossus, given their time working together, and he has continued to impress at times when given the opportunity at Bayern, ranking highly across some key defensive metrics over the past year.

Statistic	Average per 90
Tackles	3.70 (97th percentile)
Blocks	1.74 (90th percentile)
Aerials won	1.96 (92nd percentile)

It is promising news that Fulham could stand a good chance of signing Palhinha this summer, and they should be well-positioned to beat West Ham to his signature, given that they have vastly outperformed their London rivals in the Premier League this season.

Chelsea are prepared to open talks over re-signing a former “leader”, who one source describes as the perfect player for Enzo Maresca’s dressing room.

Enzo Maresca makes "very important" Conference League claim

The west Londoners take a commanding 4-1 lead into their Conference League semi-final second leg against Djurgardens tonight, and all signs point towards Chelsea easing past Jani Honkavaara’s side as they look to confirm a spot in the final on May 28.

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Posts ByEmilio Galantini May 7, 2025

Maresca has a golden chance to win his first piece of silverware as Chelsea manager during his debut season in charge, and a lot of expectation is riding on him, as they’ve been backed as solid favourites to lift the trophy since the beginning of 2024/2025.

Chelsea’s final four Premier League fixtures

Date

Newcastle (away)

May 11th

Man United (home)

May 16th

Nottingham Forest (away)

May 25th

While Chelsea have much grander ambitions in the long-term, being knocked out of the Conference League at this stage would arguably be a disaster, and Maresca says winning the competition is “very important” for many reasons.

“Very important, very important for sure, 100 per cent,” said Maresca on Chelsea’s Conference League ambitions.

“For different reasons but the main reason is because we want this club winning trophies. In this moment we are in the Conference so we have to try to win the trophy in the competition that we are.

“So yeah, it’s important personally, but for me, it’s much more important for the club, for the fans. We said many times that it’s the only trophy that Chelsea didn’t win in the past and Chelsea can become the first club in Europe to win all the European competitions so it’s also good for the club.”

It would also end the campaign on a high, even if Chelsea’s race for Champions League qualification is taking centre stage right now.

The club’s ambitions to compete in Europe’s most prestigious competition will also have a knock-on effect when it comes to summer transfers, and it is believed the signing of a new centre-back is a top priority for Chelsea ahead of next term.

Bournemouth starlet Dean Huijsen and Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi are among Chelsea’s rumoured central defensive targets, but according to Football Transfers, they now have their eyes on a possible reunion with Antonio Rudiger.

Chelsea ready to open talks over bringing back Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger

According to their information, the Blues have made contact with their ex-defender’s camp “in recent days” to be informed on his future at the Bernabeu – as they lay some groundwork over a potential deal.

The Germany international, while generally satisfied with life at Real, has apparently become “increasingly difficult” to deal with, and one source describes his situation as “tense” amid clashes with those in his inner circle.

The reasons for Rudiger’s dissatisfaction are kept vague, but this has apparently alerted Chelsea. Indeed, as well as reaching out to the £238,000-per-week defender’s representatives, it is believed Chelsea are “ready to negotiate” re-signing Rudiger if they get the green-light from him or Real.

The 32-year-old, despite some drama behind-closed-doors, has been described by an FT source as “exactly what the dressing room needs”. Rudiger’s experience could also be vital for Maresca’s very young squad, and he’s already a proven Premier League defender.

“He’s a leader, a warrior, exactly what this Chelsea dressing room needs,” said the source.

“There’s no fear about his personality. If anything, that fire is what we’re missing.”