All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Wesley Fofana’s long-term knee injury has scrambled Chelsea’s pre-season plan.

The Blues had been planning to offload Trevoh Chalobah this summer, with Levi Colwill looking set to play a prominent role in first-team action this season.

However, Fofana’s absence means that the former Ipswich loanee may now play an integral role in Mauricio Pochettino’s plans, with Benoit Badiashile also set to miss the start of the upcoming campaign.

Nevertheless, the Blues are still exploring their options in the current transfer market and Marc Guehi’s has been thrown into the mix.

Who wants to sign Marc Guehi?

According to Fabrizio Romano’s CaughtOffside column, Chelsea are interested in the possibility of resigning Guehi:

“Marc Guehi – There’s a lot of interest in the Crystal Palace defender, but it’s still too early to say where he will go," Romano began.

"Palace players are always linked with moves away but it’s important to underline that Palace have to be respected and they want important money or they keep their stars. Chelsea had some contacts on the player side 15 days ago, but again, no concrete negotiations or anything advanced.”

Crystal Palace will reportedly demand £50m for the 23-year-old’s services, who wants to be a regular starter at his next destination.

It is understood that Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also plotting a move for Guehi to make it an enticing saga.

How good is Marc Guehi?

The Eagles star, who has been lauded “incredible” by BBC Sport’s Alex Howell, has been a wonderful addition to Selhurst since his £18m in 2021.

Guehi has appeared in 73 of the club’s last 76 Premier League games – he has become synonymous with reliability, consistency, and defensive solidity.

Furthermore, in the 2021/22 season, the £50k-per-week titan became Palace’s youngest captain in ten years.

His past manager Steve Cooper has also hailed his talent, labelling him as “outstanding” and someone he really believes in, whilst he was on loan at Swansea City.

Cooper’s prophecy has come to fruition as Guehi has become an instrumental figure in Palace’s consolidation as a sturdy mid-table outfit.

If Chelsea managed to complete this signing, they would have another player who mirrors the composure and defensive reliability of Badiashile.

Despite the Blues’ horrendous recent past, the Frenchman emerged from the club’s worst Premier League season with a commendable degree of respect.

In just 11 top-flight outings, the former Monaco gem recorded the fourth-highest average rating in the squad, won 64% of his duels, and managed a 90% pass accuracy. Clearly, he is proficient in passing and winning physical battles.

The centre-back also ranks impressively across the continent, as he sits within the best 18% for progressive passes and interceptions per 90.

Joao Tralhao, who has previously coached Badiashile in France, has showered the Frenchman in praise, saying:

​​​​​​​"He is going to one of the world's biggest clubs. But Badiashile is excellent. He is very strong in the air and in the duels. He can read the game because he is intelligent. He is a very good defender on the floor and in the air. He is the complete defender."

Guehi, by comparison, completed 84% of his passes and won 67% of his defensive duels to outline their similarities.

Although the exciting Pochettino era will eventually be tainted by Thiago Silva’s inevitable departure, the prospect of boasting Guehi, Badiashile, and Colwill is tantalising.

Arsenal are reportedly interested in Manchester City defender Joao Cancelo, as the out-of-favour Portuguese prepares to depart the Etihad this summer.

Mikel Arteta has bolstered his side with the signings of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice already this window, however, there is still business to be done.

The Gunners manager told Sky Sports during the club’s USA pre-season tour that he and Edu will “be alert”, stating that there is “still time to do things” in the window.

Is Joao Cancelo going to Arsenal?

As reported back in May by 90min, Arsenal are one of the clubs open to the possibility of signing Cancelo, who is not expected to be part of Pep Guardiola’s plans going forward.

The links have re-emerged, with transfer insider Dean Jones telling GIVEMESPORT last week that the quietness in the link between the club and player “may not stay that way” as the summer goes on.

Bayern had a €70m (£60m) option to buy the defender, which they did not take up, leaving his future unresolved ahead of the new season.

Should Arsenal sign Joao Cancelo?

By obtaining the £250k-per-week 29-year-old, Arsenal could have a player with key functions going forward from the back, however, there are some doubts as to the suitability of the former Juventus star at the Emirates.

Despite winning three Premier League medals at City, the Barreiro-born gem has been forced way down the pecking order, with Guardiola opting to play strong and more versatile defenders in his back line.

Considering the progression of Arteta’s side over the past year, it would be a backwards step to bring in a player shoved away from their rivals' liking, despite similar transactions working last summer.

The signings of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus proved to be vital in the north Londoner's title pursuit with City, however now that the level has been identified, there’s little need for the Gunners to buy from the Etihad again.

Adding to the questionable direction of looking to Guardiola’s deadwood for upgrades, Cancelo has been shunned in the past for his defensive sluggishness, making his claim for a £60m deal even weaker.

Criticised as a “liability” by football writer Adamo Luciano, the Portugal international lost possession an average of 14.2 times per game in the Premier League last season, highlighting the weaknesses of his play.

The strengthening of Arsenal’s defence drove the Gunners towards their second-place finish, with recruiting a criticised figure in the back line being a questionable move.

It wouldn’t be the first time that the Londoners have looked to fellow Premier League clubs for defenders questioned in ability, with Cedric Soares’ arrival from Southampton described as a “disaster” by some.

The Gunners should consider the mistakes of Cedric to the Emirates before considering a move for a player that has also been blasted over his ability to defend in the Premier League.

While Cancelo is a player of a different calibre to his compatriot, Edu could look elsewhere for more assured talent to integrate, as already achieved this summer through the capture of Timber.

As Arsenal prepare for another title challenge in the 2023/24 campaign, the question should be asked as to why Guardiola’s trash should be considered Arteta’s treasure with reference to the Spaniard’s rise as leader of the pack in north London.

An update has emerged on Tottenham Hotspur and their plans to improve their midfield options during the summer transfer window…

What's the latest Tottenham transfer news?

According to the Daily Mail, Spurs are one of a number of clubs eyeing up Southampton central midfielder James Ward-Prowse ahead of the 2023/24 campaign as Ange Postecoglou looks to bolster his team.

The report claims that fellow Premier League sides Fulham and West Ham United are also interested in snapping up the England international over the coming weeks.

It states that the Saints captain is 'expected' to move on from St. Mary's after his boyhood club were relegated to the Championship at the end of last season.

The same outlet reported last month that Southampton have placed a £50m valuation on his head, whilst they also claimed that Liverpool were prepared to pay half of that at the time.

How long has James Ward-Prowse been in the Premier League?

Ward-Prowse made his Premier League bow during the 2012/13 campaign and has made a staggering 343 appearances in the competition to date, which shows that he is an experienced, proven, player at that level.

The 28-year-old maestro, whose set-pieces were hailed as "exceptional" by ex-boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, would arrive at Spurs as a midfielder with the quality to hit the ground running, rather than needing to adapt after coming over from a foreign league or needing to develop as a youngster.

This is also the case with recent signing James Maddison, as the 26-year-old has joined with 163 top-flight matches already under his belt from his time at Leicester City.

Ward-Prowse and Maddison could form an unstoppable pairing in the middle of the park as their performances for their respective clubs last season suggest that the ability is there for them to make an instant impact for Postecoglou.

The former averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.23 across 38 Premier League games for Southampton and contributed with nine goals to go along with two chances created per match.

Meanwhile, no Spurs player managed more than 1.7 key passes per outing, with Heung-min Son and Pedro Porro both leading the way in that regard. This suggests that the English dynamo would provide a much-needed injection of creativity in the middle of the park, with his ability to create opportunities on a regular basis.

Maddison, on the other hand, averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.33 across 30 league matches for Leicester, which would have placed him second in the Lillywhites squad.

The Coventry-born gem caught the eye with ten goals and 2.3 key passes per clash for the Foxes, as he proved himself to be an exceptional attacking threat from a number ten position, despite the Foxes' relegation.

Only Harry Kane (30) scored more Premier League goals than the former Norwich man, whilst no Tottenham player created more per match, including potential Spurs ace Ward-Prowse.

These statistics suggest that Maddison and the Southampton captain could form an unstoppable pairing in midfield for Postecoglou as they are both capable of being excellent goal-scorers and creators, more so than any of the midfielders the Australian coach inherited from last season.

New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has remained coy about the possibility of signing Harry Kane, but did claim he has an "amazing" relationship with the striker.

What did Mauricio Pochettino say about Harry Kane?

The Argentine has just arrived at Stamford Bridge and has the rest of the summer to shape his team before Premier League football kicks off again.

After the club's poor efforts last campaign, the expectation will be for Pochettino to quickly have the club heading back in the right direction.

One way he could achieve this is with an exciting new goalscorer leading the line, hence their links with some big names such as Dusan Vlahovic and Victor Osimhen over the past few months.

However, with ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss Pochettino now calling the shots, it's no surprise that he's been asked about the possibility of signing one of his former players.

Indeed, he spoke about the England captain recently during a press conference – as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

However, the new Chelsea boss seemed fairly coy about the club's chances of signing Kane, even though he did outline just how much he respects the striker.

He said: “I don’t like to talk about players in another club, but you are talking about one of the greatest strikers in the world."

Pochettino also added: “It’s not fair to talk, it’s not fair to say nothing. My relationship with Harry has always been amazing”.

How many goals did Kane score for Pochettino?

Now 29 years old, Kane spent some of his peak years under Pochettino with Tottenham, even if they weren't able to ever turn that into any major silverware.

The Englishman played 242 games for the Argentine – which is the most he's played for any manager in his career. In that time, he scored 169 goals and proved 30 assists.

With stats like that, it's not hard to see why Chelsea and Pochettino could be keen on bringing him to Stamford Bridge.

What's more, the 51-year-old even admitted in the same press conference that the club were trying to improve Chelsea's situation in front of goal.

Indeed, he explained (via football.london: "We are working on that and still we have to time to work. I think for sure we are going to add players that can score and then we are going to try to find the best way to play to score not only with the offensive players – if not midfielders and players in different positions.

"We’ll see. It depends on the situation and the circumstances. We are working. Football is really dynamic. What we have today maybe disappears tomorrow. We need to be ready to …. [if] we need more or not. Or maybe we go to the pre-season and we realise that maybe we need to improve in different positions or to add more players that can score. Or we have enough. It’s really dynamic and we are going to assess every day the situation."

All in all, with Kane's future "up in the air" this summer, perhaps he could be tempted to work with his former manager if a big enough offer was to arrive.

Don't rule it out just yet…

Liverpool are interested in signing Sporting CP defender Goncalo Inacio, who has a €45m (£39m) release clause included in his contract, according to reports from Portugal.

What's the latest Liverpool transfer news?

Torino defender Perr Schuurs is emerging as a key target for Liverpool, with Tuttosport reporting they have had an opening offer of €30m (£26m) rejected by the Italian club, however they are set to return to the negotiating table with a fresh bid.

Jurgen Klopp has instructed FSG to sign the Dutchman at any cost, so the German tactician is clearly determined to win the race for his signature, but he is not the manager's only defensive target, with Bayer Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba also emerging as an option.

90min report that Tottenham Hotspur are also in talks with the Burkina Faso international, though they are concerned about growing interest from the Reds and Newcastle United, so there may be a transfer battle on the cards and it is clear Liverpool want a new central defender.

With Ibrahima Konate recently being linked with a move to Napoli, Klopp could be forced to bring in multiple new additions at centre-back this summer, and there has now been an update on the pursuit of Inacio.

Sport Witness relay reports from Portugal, which detail that Klopp is "not satisfied" with his defence, and the Sporting CP defender is "one of the names" on his list of targets for this window.

Liverpool are said to have sent scouts to watch the 21-year-old on several occasions last season, and they would have no problem meeting the €45m (£39m) release clause included in his contract.

However, the Reds may have to move swiftly if they want to sign the youngster for a lower amount, as Sporting are working on offering him a new deal, which would ideally see his release clause raised to €80m (£69m).

As such, if Liverpool are going to make their move, they will need to do so before any contract is signed.

How good is Goncalo Inacio?

The Almada-born defender almost exclusively plays at centre-back, but that has not stopped him from pitching in down the other end of the pitch, ranking in the 98th percentile for assists, and in the 99th percentile for shot-creating actions per 90 in the past year, when compared with other centre-backs.

Lauded as a "sensation" by football scout Jacek Kulig, the youngster has a keen eye for cutting out opposition attacks, averaging 1.4 interceptions per game last season, the second-highest figure of any Sporting player who played more than two games.

Although he is still very young, the Portugal international is already well-adjusted to first-team football, having made a minimum of 25 appearances in all competitions for Sporting over the past three seasons.

In the 2021-22 campaign, the starlet averaged more passes per game than any other player in the Portuguese top flight, highlighting how composed he is in possession of the ball.

£39m could end up being a steal for Inacio, and Liverpool should move quickly before he puts pen to paper on a new deal.

West Ham United have “enquired” about a deal to sign Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi this summer, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.

Is Callum Hudson-Odoi leaving Chelsea?

The Blues academy graduate was sent out on a season-long loan to Bayer Leverkusen last term in the hope of finding him some regular game time, but having only started seven games out of 34 in the Bundesliga, the left-sided winger had an underwhelming spell on the road.

With the Premier League starlet’s contract at his parent club expiring at the end of the next campaign, Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly set to hold crunch talks with the 22-year-old this week regarding his future in SW6, and should he depart, he seemingly won’t be short of potential suitors.

Back in August 2022, 90min credited the Irons with an interest in signing England’s former international before he made the temporary move to Germany, and despite a deal failing to materialise at the time, David Moyes is looking to take a second bite of the cherry.

Are West Ham signing Hudson-Odoi?

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, Jacobs name-checked West Ham as potential suitors for Hudson-Odoi but admitted that the Chelsea attacker is yet to make a full decision as to where his next destination will be. He said:

“As has been reported, a move to Saudi Arabia is certainly an option for Callum Hudson-Odoi this summer. But nothing has been decided just yet. Hudson-Odoi is assessing his future and may prefer to stay in Europe. Despite a relatively underwhelming loan at Bayer Leverkusen last season, there is no shortage of interest in the 22-year-old.

“Keep an eye on Brentford and Fulham. Crystal Palace and West Ham have also enquired. Newcastle are a historic suitor, but not currently considering a move. There is also some initial interest from Atalanta.”

Should Moyes take a chance on Hudson-Odoi?

West Ham will know that Hudson-Odoi wasn’t handed as many minutes as he would have hoped at Bayer Leverkusen hence why he only recorded one goal and assist during his time there, but he still has the potential to pose a threat in the final third.

Last season, the Adidas-sponsored gem, who pockets £120k-per-week, ranked in the 87th percentile for progressive carries so loves to take on his marker and push his team up the pitch, but he also recorded 3.86 shot-creating actions per league game which was the third-highest total throughout Xabi Alonso’s squad, via FBRef.

Chelsea’s “monster of a talent”, as dubbed by journalist Nizaar Kinsella, would further add excellent versatility to the manager’s ranks with his ability to operate all across the frontline and even three roles in the midfield, so with the game time that he’d receive in E20, it’s well worth bringing him to the London Stadium.

Aston Villa are in advanced talks to sign West Bromwich Albion midfielder Rico Richards, according to a recent report from Football Insider.

What's the latest Aston Villa transfer news?

Despite having already completed the signing of Youri Tielemans, Villa are keen to bolster their midfield even further, and they have emerged as potential suitors for Villarreal's Alex Baena, who is said to be valued at €50m (£43m).

Leeds United's Tyler Adams is another option for the Villans following the Whites' relegation from the Premier League, however, the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion, Everton and Nottingham Forest have also enquired about his availability.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain reportedly "expects" to make the switch to Villa Park this summer after leaving Liverpool, and Unai Emery has now been presented with another opportunity to snap up a midfielder on a free transfer.

According to a report from Football Insider, Villa are in advanced talks to sign Richards, who will be available for free upon the expiration of his contract with West Brom at the end of this month.

Talks have progressed well and Emery's recruitment team are confident of securing a full agreement with the 19-year-old, who primarily plays in advanced midfield, but can also play on either wing and up front.

To begin with, the youngster could join the likes of Louie Barry and Aaron Ramsey in the under-21 setup at Villa Park.

Who is Rico Richards?

The starlet has come through the ranks at West Bromwich Albion, making a total of 52 appearances in the Premier League 2, during which time he has registered a respectable six goals and eight assists.

After impressing at youth level, the Englishman was handed one appearance in the Championship last season, though that ten-minute cameo is the only experience he has of first-team football.

As such, the midfielder is likely to be some way off competing for a starting place at Villa Park, but he has certainly caught the eye in the youth setup, being hailed as "splendid" by journalist Joe Chapman after a quality display against Arsenal.

Villa are now in the privileged position of being able to attract top-quality young players, and there is every indication the West Brom youngster is in that bracket, recording nine goal contributions in 19 Premier League 2 games last season.

Given that Richards is available on a free transfer, it is a very low-risk signing, and it is exciting news that a deal is edging closer to completion.

Fulham are interested in making a move for Manchester United midfielder Fred this summer, who has been valued at £20m, according to Jason Burt of The Telegraph.

Fulham transfer news – will they sign Fred?

With just one year left on his current deal at Manchester United, if Fred is to leave the Red Devils, it would make sense for them to cash in this summer.

With Fulham interested, too, a move to the London club may well happen before the start of the forthcoming Premier League season.

Marco Silva could see the Brazilian as a replacement for Joao Palhinha, who has been linked with a move to West Ham United, as they seek to replace the departing Declan Rice.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Hammers are set to make their first approach for the midfielder.

Would Fred be an upgrade on Harrison Reed?

After Fulham shocked the Premier League to finish in the top half in their first season back in the top flight, not many upgrades are needed in Silva's side.

If they are to keep their place in the top half, however, then welcoming a player of Fred's experience wouldn't be a bad start this summer.

As solid as Harrison Reed has been for the Cottagers, the Brazilian would simply be a significant upgrade, as backed up by the stats.

Silva's side broke into the top half through their free-flowing football, and adding Fred would only enhance that style of play and hand the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic more service and, therefore, more goals.

As per FBref, when compared to Reed last season, the United man made more progressive passes per 90 and had a better pass completion rate, too.

Meanwhile, defensively speaking, the "magnificent" Fred – as lauded by his manager Erik ten Hag – also lost fewer challenges than the current Fulham midfielder and made more blocks per 90. So, with that said, the London club would be getting themselves a player capable of bettering Reed offensively and defensively.

Not to mention the trophies he has picked up at Old Trafford either.

Speaking about the Brazilian machine back in 2019, Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Redknapp said, via Manchester Evening News:

"The stick he received was remarkable. From 'useless' to 'waste of money', he was called it all. Maybe he is not the answer for Manchester United in the long term. Maybe he won't be their midfield lynchpin for years to come.

"But he has dug deep and refused to let the critics win. He was superb against City. In the same way everyone was quick to criticise, let's give him the credit he deserves, too."

After playing just 1231 minutes in the Premier League for Manchester United – the same as just over 13 games – Fred may feel as though now is the right time to move on from Old Trafford.

A side on the up such as Fulham would certainly make for an interesting project, too. We saw his former teammate Andreas Pereira make the same move last summer, before going on to enjoy a far better season at Craven Cottage than any that he experienced on an individual level for the Red Devils.

It is a transfer that would see Fulham upgrade on Reed, and Fred receive far more game time.

Newcastle United are 'progressing well' in their attempts to bring Leicester City playmaker James Maddison to St James' Park this summer, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

What's the latest transfer news involving James Maddison?

According to Football Insider, Newcastle United are said to be 'frontrunners' in the race to sign Maddison this summer amid stiff competition from other Premier League sides.

The report states that Newcastle United are ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in their pursuit of the £110k-a-week ace, who is set for an exit from Leicester City in the next few months due to their relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.

Sky Sports also broadly state along the same lines that Newcastle United are in pole position to bring in Maddison; however, the outlet detail that Spurs could 'formalise' a bid now that they have appointed a new manager in the form of Ange Postecoglou.

Maddison caught the eye of the Magpies in January, though Leicester City were unwilling to do business mid-season, which is a stance that they look to have changed and it is now believed that they are open to offers for the Coventry-born playmaker.

As per The Guardian, Maddison's teammate Harvey Barnes is also a target for Newcastle United as they plot a double raid of the Foxes' best talents ahead of 2023/24.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Galetti has revealed that talks between Maddison and Newcastle United over a summer transfer are going well.

Galetti said: "The talks between Newcastle and Leicester over James Maddison are progressing well, even if not at a great pace. I’m told Newcastle want to strengthen every role of their squad after the qualification for next season’s Champions League and they are working on multiple deals."

Would James Maddison be a good signing for Newcastle United?

Maddison would be a brilliant addition for Newcastle United who would add some extra flair to their talented midfield at St James' Park looking forward to next term.

In 2022/23, the England international made 32 appearances in all competitions for Leicester City, registering ten goals and nine assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Proving to be an inventive presence in the Foxes' midfield, Maddison also successfully performed 138 shot-creating actions in the Premier League, as tallied by FBRef.

Possessing a keen goal threat, Maddison hit an average of 2.8 shots per game in the English top-flight, demonstrating his penchant to make things happen despite the faltering nature of the team around him this term, as per WhoScored.

Newcastle United are preparing for Champions League football under Eddie Howe and bringing Maddison to Tyneside could help to take the Magpies to the next level.

Aston Villa will know about their chances of bringing Sevilla sporting director Monchi to the club by Monday, according to a fresh update.

Are Villa keen on Monchi?

The Villans are flying as a club at the moment, with everyone seemingly pulling in the right direction and a great period in the club's history potentially on the horizon.

They enjoyed a brilliant 2022/23 season – one that ended in a seventh-place finish in the Premier League and qualification for the UEFA Europa Conference League – but the hope is that this is only the start under Unai Emery.

It could be that a new sporting director is looked at in the summer, in order to aid Emery in the transfer market, and Monchi has been linked with a move to Villa. The 54-year-old is a hugely influential figure in his field, having enjoyed a playing career in the past, and he been in his current role on-and-off since 2000.

As Villa look to make what could feel like a major appointment, a key update has emerged to make the current situation a little clearer.

When will Monchi decision be made?

According to ABC Sevilla [via Sport Witness], Sevilla have put a "48-hour deadline" on Monchi when it comes to making a decision over his future, with the La Liga club not wanting matters to "extend beyond Monday."

He has made it clear that he wants a fresh challenge this summer, having helped Sevilla win the Europa League yet again, with the current situation described as "tense", with an "absolute divorce" the most likely outcome in the near future.

Villa's offer to bring in the Spaniard is described as "very strong financially", as they look to clinch what could be a significant piece of business.

Monchi really could be a superb addition at Villa Park, given his vast experience and success as a sporting director, overseeing two different Europa League triumphs at Sevilla. Emery himself has hailed him as "good person and a good professional" in the past, also saying that they had a strong working relationship, suggesting the pair could again thrive alongside one another at Villa.

It is far from a done deal, but if NSWE can get a move over the line, it could well prove to be the latest major positive in an increasingly promising period at the club, potentially enticing top players to Villa Park this summer in the process.