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Tottenham have started the window with a bang, acquiring highly rated talent Archie Gray from Leeds United. But they aren't looking to stop there, with plenty of attacking targets being linked with the club.

Spurs will be looking to clinch Champions League football next season, having missed out by two points, and finishing fifth in the Premier League last season, in Ange Postecoglou's first year in charge.

Having already bolstered the midfield with Gray, it is likely Tottenham will see at least one forward signing come through the door this summer, either in the shape of a striker, or a dynamic and exciting winger.

Tottenham chasing exciting winger

According to Football Insider, Tottenham are continuing to watch Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams closely and could make a move for the Spaniard. Aston Villa are also said to be long-term admirers of Williams.

The reports state Williams has a £49m release clause in his contract, but his wage demands could prove to be a stumbling block, as it seems Barcelona have been "scared off" due to the figures.

Williams is one of the shining stars at Euro 2024 currently, making three appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist. Spain has won four out of four games so far, and will face Germany on Friday in the quarter-finals.

How Williams would form a deadly duo with Son

Williams made 37 appearances in all competitions last season for Athletic Bilbao, scoring eight goals, and providing 19 assists. Helping Bilbao towards a fifth-place finish in La Liga, bettering their eighth-place finish from the season before.

Bilbao managed to score 14 more goals last season compared to the season prior, and Williams had a massive part to play in that, adding eight G/A to his La Liga numbers in the most recent campaign.

The 14 assists Williams managed last term was the most impressive feat of his game, showing his elite ability to create chances through a variety of skills, such as his ball carrying, 1v1 ability, and his crossing.

Williams excels in the ball-carrying metrics, averaging 5.69 progressive carries per 90, and 3.42 successful take-ons per 90, which both rank in the top 10% for wingers on the continent in this metric.

His ability to receive the ball in 1v1 situations, beat his man and find himself in dangerous areas to either deliver the ball or get a shot off, is what makes him so sought after, as he can create chances for himself and others.

But once he gets into these areas, he is also a top-level crosser of the ball, averaging 6.08 crosses per 90, and making 0.87 crosses into the penalty box per 90, which ranks in the top 1% for wingers in this metric.

Son Heung-min could be the beneficiary of this move, getting a deadly striking partner back, just like his past partnership with Harry Kane. Whilst Son used to operate from the left, with Kane in the middle, this could see a similar partnership struck, but with Son in the central zones, and Williams off the left.

The Spanish star's ability to take the creative burden away from Son, would allow him to operate even more in and around the box, getting more shots off, and showcasing that extremely clinical nature of his, producing a goals – xG of +0.15.

One thing is for sure, as Zach Lowy said, Nico Williams "is going to be one of the most coveted wingers in the transfer market this summer".

Spurs have big interest in special star who could be their answer to Yamal

Tottenham looking to add a tricky and direct winger to their ranks

By
Connor Holden

Jul 4, 2024

The Gibraltar international is making a compelling case to be the first youth player Ruben Amorim promotes to the senior team

While Manchester United have lurched from one crisis to another, their youth teams have remained in rude health. The young Red Devils swept to a double of the under-18 Premier League North title and Premier League Cup last season while playing scintillating football and recording remarkable results, such as destroying Liverpool 9-1.

James Scanlon was one of the emerging stars in that team, netting twice in the demolition of United's greatest rivals, and his reward was to join the senior team on their pre-season tour of the United States. He was no stranger to playing with the big boys, though, as he was already a full international with Gibraltar.

The attacking midfielder has since made history with his country and has used his senior experience to his advantage at club level, making a clinical start to this season with the under-18s, scoring nine goals in just seven league games.

So, when Ruben Amorim begins work at United next week and starts to assess the youth players he could bring into the first team, Scanlon will stand out above all the other young hopefuls…

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  Where it all began

  Scanlon grew up in the Midlands and took his first steps towards becoming a professional with the academy of Derby County, at the same time that Wayne Rooney was in charge of the Rams.

  Scanlon was blessed with athletic genes as his mother Gabriella Falero is a former sprinter. She was part of a relay team that still holds the national record for the 4x100m set in 1995 – 11 years before she gave birth to Scanlon.

  There is a possibility that Scanlon could form part of a dynasty for club and country as his younger brother Luca, 15, is also in United's youth system and is an under-17 international for Gibraltar.

  Scanlon enrolled in the United academy in 2023 and signed his first professional contract in 2024, just before heading out on tour with Erik ten Hag's senior team.

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  The big break

  Scanlon made headlines in March when, still aged 17, he made his senior international debut for Gibraltar against Lithuania, coming off the bench in a 1-0 defeat in a Nations League relegation play-off defeat. It made him the youngest United player to make an international debut since legendary forward Norman Whiteside turned out for Northern Ireland at the 1982 World Cup.

  He got more appearances in friendlies against Scotland, Wales and Andorra, but he really made his mark in his first competitive start at home to Liechtenstein in the Nations League. He struck what looked certain to be the winning goal when he netted with a close-range header in the 97th minute. Liechtenstein ended up levelling with a penalty in the 114th minute but Scanlon had already etched his name into his country's history, becoming their youngest ever goalscorer.

  ⁠"The Academy are really pleased with what he’s achieved at international level, it's naturally seen as great for his development to get these opportunities," a United source said.

  "Gibraltar have been great with us and him, really supportive and giving him a measured introduction to life as a senior international."

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  How it's going

  The international experience has clearly helped Scanlon's development as he has made an imposing start to the season. He has already beaten his goal tally of eight from last season, with two games in particular standing out.

  He struck four times in the 9-0 mauling of Blackburn on his 18th birthday and got a hat-trick in the recent 8-0 pounding of Leeds. He is the top scorer at United and the second leading marksman in the league. He has also been impressing in Europe, netting in both legs of United's 11-2 aggregate thrashing of Lithuanian side Zalgiris.

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  Biggest strengths

  Scanlon's prolific goal record stands out above anything else and yet he is a remarkably versatile player. He plays on the left of the attack in Adam Lawrence's 4-2-3-1 formation for United's under-18 side, although he is far from being a traditional winger. He is adept with both feet – against Blackburn, he scored twice with his left and twice with his right – and loves to come inside and create patterns of play.

  "I just want to keep progressing in every area of my game," he told the Gibraltan FA. "When I play above my age, I try to have a big impact on whichever team I play. I try to be a creative player but I also want to bring goals, assists, help the team attack, create and score goals."

Whilst it's been a fairly positive summer transfer window for Unai Emery so far, Aston Villa sporting director Monchi is now reportedly considering the sale of one of the Spaniard's best players.

Aston Villa transfer news

The sale of Douglas Luiz aside, Aston Villa have arguably won the transfer window so far in the Premier League. The Villans have so far welcomed the likes of Ross Barkley, Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior, whilst their biggest signing could yet arrive in the form of Amadou Onana, with a deal reportedly agreed with Everton.

The Belgian will instantly replace Luiz and hand Emery the ultimate boost for years to come at the heart of his midfield. But as a big-money signing arrives, the Midlands club could be set to show the door to a crucial cog in the Spaniard's attack.

According to Graeme Bailey for HITC, Monchi is now considering the sale of Moussa Diaby to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad due to the player being eager to move, which will see the sporting director go against Emery to bid farewell to a player the manager reportedly rates highly.

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The Midlands outfit has been busy indeed this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 17, 2024

Given that Diaby has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Saudi club, Monchi may personally decide it is best to cash in if Al Ittihad match Villa's £60m price tag this summer.

Diaby, of course, only arrived in the Midlands a year ago, before enjoying an impressive debut season. Yet, just one summer later, he could be set to become the latest Premier League player to swap English football for Saudi riches.

"Strong" Diaby was only just getting started

Losing Diaby just a year on from his Premier League arrival would deal Emery and his Aston Villa side a disappointing blow after qualifying for the Champions League last season. The former Bayer Leverkusen man was arguably only just getting started, scoring 10 goals and assisting a further nine in a solid debut campaign. Nonetheless, reports suggest that he has failed to resist the temptations that a move to the Saudi Pro League offers.

The winger will take some replacing, with the praise of Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes summing the 25-year-old up. He said via The Athletic: “Moussa Diaby is an extremely fast, technically strong striker whose qualities suit our game down to the ground."

It seems as though Villa's search for a replacement has already started, however, following links to the likes of Jaden Philogene. The former Villan could reunite with his boyhood club this summer in a full circle moment after an incredibly impressive campaign in the Championship with Hull City. In one swoop, Monchi could make profit and welcome a familiar face back to Villa Park this summer.

The domino effect that Diaby's exit could cause is certainly one to keep an eye on this summer.

Arsenal have been urged to sign Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen in the January transfer window by former defender William Gallas.

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• Arsenal lacking a clinical goalscorer
• Gallas thinks Osimhen 'ideal' for Gunners
• Striker compared to Chelsea great Drogba

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mikel Arteta's side have seen their title hopes hit in recent weeks due to a slump in form which has seen the Gunners slip to fourth place in the Premier League table, already nine points behind leaders Liverpool. One problem has been in attack where the Gunners have struggled for goals, scoring just once in their last three outings in all competitions. Kai Havertz is the team's top scorer so far with a mere four league goals, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli next up with three.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arsenal have been urged to try and sign Osimhen who is currently on a season-long loan from Napoli with Galatasaray. The striker was linked with Arsenal in the summer but ended up heading to Turkey where he has impressed with eight goals and three assists in nine appearances so far for Gala. Gallas thinks he would be the perfect option to boost Arsenal's attack this winter and has likened the 25-year-old to former Chelsea ace Didier Drogba.

• WHAT GALLAS SAID

  He told Prime Casino: "If I could sign one player for Arsenal in January, it would be a world-class striker, but they are not available in January. No top, top strikers are available at the moment. I wanted to speak about Osimhen because I know he's at Galatasaray, and I still don't understand why he's there. That’s the type of profile Arsenal need. They need a player with that pedigree. With Victor, maybe he won't score 20 goals in the season, but he will scare defenders, he will give them a hard time, and that will give the opportunity for players around him to score goals. That's why he reminds me a little bit of Drogba. If you remember when Drogba was at Chelsea, he gave the defenders a hard time. Frank Lampard was around, almost a second striker, and always scored. I think, maybe one season, he had more goals than Didier. Arsenal doesn't have that player at the moment. When you look at Gabriel Jesus, he's not really fit, he doesn't play. Looks like he's not happy. Sterling doesn't play. Havertz, up and down, up and down. You need more consistency."

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  WHAT NEXT

  Osimhen has spoken out about his future and insisted he will stay with Galatasaray until the end of the season when his loan deal expires. Meanwhile, fans will have to wait and see if Arsenal opt to dip into the transfer market in the winter in a bid to boost their attack.

Rangers are ready to part ways with another member of their squad this summer as they look to build a squad capable of going one better this season, it has emerged.

All change since heartbreak

Domestic dominance seemed within the grasp of Philippe Clement and co, but it was Glasgow rivals Celtic that pipped them to the post in both the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup last season, leaving Rangers as runners up on both occasions.

Since then, there has already been major change at Ibrox. Experienced pair John Lundstram and Borna Barisic have both left the club at the expiry of their contract and opted to move to Turkish side Trabzonspor, while Ryan Jack, Kemar Roofe and veteran shot-stopper Jon McLaughlin all remain without a club after their time in Glasgow came to an end.

Meanwhile, a loan move for Mohamed Diomande from Danish side Nordsjaelland has been made permanent and the club have also signed Brazilian defender Jefte and Hamza Igamane, with all three 22 and under and set to bring fresh blood to Ibrox.

There have also been free transfers made, with Connor Barron arriving from Aberdeen, Clinton Nsiala from AC Milan and Liam Kelly from Motherwell, as Clement looks to shape his squad for the upcoming campaign. And that squad transformation is set to see a once-promising defender leave the club too it seems.

Rangers youngster "expected" to leave

That comes in the form of boyhood Rangers full back Adam Devine. The versatile defender was sent on loan to Motherwell for the second half of the season after failing to see a minute of action in the first part of the campaign under Clement.

In fact, he has made just 11 appearances for Rangers, with eight of those coming under Michael Beale, who was full of praise for the youngster.

“Delighted with Adam, it’s obvious he was playing on his weak side,” said Beale after beating Hibs in his first game in charge [Rangers].

“He was targeted from goal kicks, for a young boy he did fantastic. This season, he was supposed to be back-up to Tavernier and push him – like Patterson did.

“We’ve got high hopes for him and that wasn’t easy tonight, I asked him to play higher up the pitch; more energy. For everyone watching, he is a young Scottish boy we can be proud of. Early days but for tonight, well played son.”

European club thinking of making a move for "excellent" £4m Rangers striker

He was a vital part of Philippe Clement’s side last season.

By
Tom Coates

Jul 10, 2024

But the defender has not been a part of Clement's plans, and was left out of the group taken to the Netherlands as part of their pre-season preparations, a fact which Rangers reporter Derek Clark believes signals the end of his time at the club,

“Adam Devine, not going with the first team squad over to the Netherlands, he was part of the B Team that beat Blackpool the other day", he explained on the Rangers Review Morning Briefing.

“I think basically tells you everything you need to know, I would expect Adam Devine to move on this summer and I would wish him well wherever he goes if that is the case.”

Devine still has 12 months left to run on his £2.5k per week deal at Ibrox, but with new defenders having been added to the squad already this summer, his future looks almost certain to lie away from his boyhood club.

Ryan Barnett has opened up about life at Wrexham as the in-form wing-back attracts interest from Rangers and two Championship clubs.

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• Barnett shining in third Wrexham season

• Attracting interest from Championship & Scotland

• 25-year-old says he's 'loving' life

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Barnett has been a standout for Wrexham this season and continued his impressive form by scoring the winners in the Red Dragons' 1-0 win over Mansfield Town on Saturday. His performances haven't gone unnoticed though, with Championship clubs Stoke City and Preston and Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers reportedly eyeing a move for the wing-back.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has already issued a hands-off warning, and Barnett doesn't seem interested in leaving the SToK Racecourse anytime soon after helping Wrexham reach the third tier of English football after arriving from Solihull Moors last year.

• WHAT BARNETT SAID

  "I'm loving it. The manager gives me that freedom when I go forward and gives me that confidence to take people on," Barnett said. "All the lads have got that belief in me as well.

  "I think that's all you can ask for in football, you want to be confident and you want to be happy and I am in a really good spot at the moment."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR BARNETT?

  Barnett will hope to continue his good form when Wrexham travel to rivals Stockport on Saturday afternoon.

With Julen Lopetegui's first summer in charge at the London Stadium now well underway, West Ham United's new boss appears to have his eye on a number of new attacking players.

Hammers hope to bring in attacking reinforcements

With forward players the priority for the Hammers this summer, the club have already got one new player over the line in the form of Luis Guilherme. The Brazilian winger arrived at the London Stadium in a £25million move from Palmeiras.

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An important player could be leaving the London Stadium this summer.

By
Tom Coates

Jul 22, 2024

The Hammers are now looking to follow up the signing of Guilherme by bringing in a new centre forward. Recent rumours have seen West Ham linked with a move for Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin who could be sold this summer in order to satisfy the Toffees' ongoing financial struggles.

Another name in West Ham's sights is Eddie Nketiah who is said to be surplus to requirements at Arsenal this summer. The Hammers are said to be readying a move for the striker who could be available for as little as £25million during the transfer window.

With forward players high on the Hammers' shopping list, the club are now in talks to sign a sought-after talent from the Championship.

West Ham submit proposal for Leeds United star

As first reported on the X account of Fabrizio Romano, West Ham have submitted an initial proposal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United. Romano claims that talks have taken place on the player's side, however, an agreement is still some way from being reached.

The Dutch winger is in demand this summer after contributing 19 goals and nine assists in the regular Championship season last time out. Whilst Leeds fell at the final hurdle in their quest for Premier League football last term, Summerville could soon be playing his football in England's top flight next season.

Recent rumours have seen Newcastle United, Chelsea and Aston Villa all linked with a move for the 22-year-old with the Hammers now throwing their hat in the ring to bring the player to East London. This race for Summerville's signature is to be expected after the winger's exploits in West Yorkshire saw him earn the Championship's Player of the Season award.

Speaking on Summerville's displays in the second tier, Leeds boss Daniel Farke was quick to praise the player's performances telling the press:

"He is playing an outstanding season in terms of performances, end product and also his willingness to work for the team, to be there and deliver on a daily basis even in training, otherwise you can’t deliver consistency in this league.”

With a number of Premier League sides showing an interest in signing Summerville this summer, it could be a fight for the Hammers to get a deal over the line. Despite this, the Dutchman is no doubt a player who could be a quality addition to Lopetegui's side.

Manchester United icon Ruud van Nistelrooy is reportedly in consideration for two managerial vacancies just days after leaving his Old Trafford post.

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• Van Nistelrooy was Man Utd's interim boss
• Looking for work after Amorim's arrival
• Linked with two managerial positions

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Dutchman joined Erik ten Hag's United coaching staff last summer, before taking up an interim manager role at the club following the ex-Ajax boss' sacking. After taking charge of four first-team matches, the former striker left his old team for a second time, as Ruben Amorim took over in the dugout. Now, journalist Florian Plettenberg claims Bundesliga 2 team Hamburg are considering appointing Van Nistelrooy as their next head coach.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Following the sacking of Steffen Baumgart this weekend, Hamburg are reportedly looking at Van Nistelrooy, who spent one season at the German team as a player. The report adds the 48-year-old has been 'discussed internally' but according to journalist Rudy Galetti, Leicester City have approached him as well after sacking Steve Cooper on Sunday. It seems the ex-Real Madrid forward is a man in demand.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  In Van Nistelrooy's brief tenure as United's interim boss, his side beat Leicester twice, PAOK once, and drew with Chelsea. He enjoyed a brief stint as PSV Eindhoven boss between May 2022 and May 2023, winning the KNVB Cup.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Van Nistelrooy is likely to find out whether he will be offered the Leicester or Hamburg job this week, with both clubs desperate to make quick appointments as they look to turn their seasons around. The Foxes find themselves 16th in the Premier League, just a point away from the relegation zone, while the Germans are eighth in the second tier.

Paul Pogba has been 'invited' to join ex-Manchester United team-mate Mason Greenwood at Marseille by former Juventus co-star Adrien Rabiot.

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• World Cup winner released by Juve
• Now available as a free agent
• Clear to resume career in March 2025

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  France international Rabiot briefly spent time working with his fellow countryman at Serie A giants Juventus, but saw injuries limit Pogba’s game time before the World Cup winner was stung with a worldwide football ban in September 2023 after failing a doping test.

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  WHAT RABIOT SAID

  Rabiot has since moved on to Marseille, while Pogba is a free agent after seeing his contract in Turin terminated. He will be cleared to resume his career in March 2025, with Rabiot telling of a potential reunion in Ligue 1: “I would like to play with Paul. We had the opportunity to rub shoulders quickly at Juventus. We didn't have too many opportunities to play together because he had a lot of problems. I was very disappointed.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Rabiot went on to say of Marseille being ready to welcome Pogba on board as a collective, with a big future call being left in the 31-year-old midfielder’s hands: “We are inviting him to come and play at OM. What we are putting in place is really very important. There is a real dynamic, it is very professional, from the players to the coach and the management. There is real ambition. If he wants to come, it would be a pleasure.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Patrice Evra, a former colleague of Pogba at Manchester United, is another to have suggested that his fellow countryman should return to his homeland at Stade Velodrome. Pogba is yet to make any public statement on his future plans, with there also talk of interest being shown in him from American clubs in MLS.

After two campaigns of coming incredibly close but just falling short, next season feels like it could finally be the year for Arsenal to topple Manchester City in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta's side came within two points of doing so last year, and while they produced a far better defence than the eventual champions, they scored five fewer goals than them, which is an area that can be improved.

Fortunately, over the last week or so, the Gunners have been linked with several talented forwards, and according to recent reports, they are interested in Bournemouth's inform poacher, Dominic Solanke.

However, while the Englishman proved his goalscoring ability last season, there is a feeling that he might not be of the level required to win the league, which cannot be said of another striker recently touted for a move to the Emirates.

Arsenal's striker search

According to a recent report from Italian journalist Gianluca DiMarzio, Arsenal are back in the picture regarding Napoli's Victor Osimhen.

DiMarzio has revealed that the Nigerian's potential move to Chelsea, which has been grabbing headlines in recent days, is now not going to happen and that while Paris Saint-Germain 'remain on the trail' of the superstar, 'Arsenal could also get back into the game'.

The journalist does not mention how much the experienced international might cost the North Londoners. However, reports from last week suggest that Napoli could still demand clubs pay his €130m release clause, which converts to about £109m.

It would be a seriously significant investment from Arsenal, but given Osimhen's quality, it might prove worth it, and he'd be a better signing than Solanke.

How Osimhen compares to Solanke

Now, given how well Arsenal played last season, the one thing they need their new striker to do above all else is put the ball in the back of the net or, at the very least, provide the pass for a teammate to do so. But out of Solanke and Osimhen, who comes out on top in this regard?

Well, while the Englishman scored more goals last season, it's the Serie A winner who unsurprisingly comes out on top over the last five years, and by quite some margin at that.

For example, since the start of the 2019/20 campaign, the "world-class" marksman, as dubbed by José Mourinho, has scored 94 goals and provided 24 assists in 171 appearances, which equates to a seriously impressive average of a goal involvement every 1.44 games.

In contrast, the former Chelsea prospect has scored 77 goals and provided 30 assists in 206 appearances, equating to an average of a goal involvement every 1.92 games, a significant portion of which were in the Championship.

However, it's not just in raw output that the former LOSC Lille ace beats out the Cherries star, as when you compare the pair's underlying numbers, he comes out ahead.

For example, in every relevant metric bar progressive passes and aerial duels won, the Lagos-born dynamo comes out on top, including non-penalty expected goals plus assists, actual non-penalty goals plus assists, goal and shot-creating actions, shots and shots on target, and progressive carries, all per 90.

Ultimately, while Solanke proved he was a Premier League-level striker last season, it's clear from his underlying numbers and long-term output that he just isn't comparable to Osimhen. Therefore, if Arsenal find themselves with the opportunity to sign the Nigerian international this summer, they have to take it – he could win them the league.

Arsenal target Merino alternative who'd be unreal next to Rice & Odegaard

The “world-class” midfielder would be an excellent signing.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 6, 2024