Leeds United fans on Twitter are very happy with Adam Pope’s latest update on the club’s coaching staff.
Indeed, the BBC journalist tweeted that the Whites are set to appoint Andy Foster as the club’s new Head of Academy.
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Foster joins Leeds from Middlesbrough where he held the same job role.
Pope’s speculation was later confirmed by the man himself as he took to Twitter stating that he’s now an employee of Leeds United.
This is a huge step in Foster’s career as Leeds have a very strong academy, and some of the players already within the ranks look like stars in the making.
Foster probably can’t wait to get his teeth stuck into the likes of Ryan Edmondson and Mateusz Bogusz – both players scored for the first-team in pre-season – as well as a number of other talented youngsters the Whites have in their academy set up at the moment.
It remains to be seen whether or not Foster will be a success in this role, but Leeds fans are already sold on him.
Here’s what the Elland Road faithful have been saying on social media…
The agent of an "exceptional" Rangers player has held talks with a new club over a move away for his client this week, according to a fresh transfer claim.
Summer of exits at Rangers
The Gers had one of their busiest summers in recent memory when it came to new signings, with nine fresh faces brought in to add to the depth within Philippe Clement's squad. Such was the focus in incomings, however, that it's easy to forget that a number of established stars also brought an end to their time at Ibrox, heightening the need for additions.
The likes of Borna Barisic, John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe all left when their respective contracts expired, meaning Clement lost a huge amount of experience and quality in the same period.
Glasgow Rangers striker Kemar Roofe.
There has also been plenty of speculation regarding the future of James Tavernier at Rangers, with the right-back linked with a move away from the club all summer long. In fact, the Scottish Premiership side are even believed to be open to the idea of selling him, perhaps feeling that now is the right time to receive a hefty amount of money for his signature.
Now, another significant claim has emerged – one that suggests the Englishman could soon be an ex-Gers player, following a magnificent spell at Ibrox.
"Exceptional" Rangers ace in talks over exit
According to Takvim [via Sport Witness], Besiktas are now looking to complete the signing of Rangers captain James Tavernier this week, snapping him up before the summer transfer window closes in Turkey on Friday.
They are believed to have held talks with the 32-year-old's agent over a move to the club, with former Gers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst now the manager of the Turkish side and wanting to get a deal over the line, telling those high up at the club to sort it over the next 96 hours.
Seeing Tavernier leave Rangers in the next few days before the Turkish window slams shut would be a sad sight for many supporters, considering what an influential performer he has been over the past nine years.
The right-back has a quite stunning record for the Scottish outfit, registering 256 goal contributions (125 goals and 131 assists) in 467, and his level of creativity and leadership will be a massive loss, weakening Clement team's significantly at a time when they are looking to get the better of rivals Celtic.
Appearances
467
Goals
125
Assists
131
On the flip side, however, Tavernier is now 32, so cashing in on him now could look beneficial further down the line, as Rangers use the funds to sign younger options in upcoming windows.
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Looking at the here and now, selling the Gers skipper feels like a monumental hit to their chances of glory – Clement has described him as "exceptional" – but the bigger picture means there is an element of sense to it, especially if he feels he wants a fresh challenge at this point in his career.
Glasgow Rangers captain James Tavernier has endured a difficult start to the 2024/25 campaign for the Ibrox side.
The defender looks a shadow of his former self, with his struggles compounded by another poor Old Firm display against Celtic on the weekend, as they strolled to a 3-0 victory.
Daizen Maeda got the better of him once again, using his pace down the right-hand side to terrorise the Englishman. Could his time at the club be coming to an end?
James Tavernier’s future at Rangers
Tavernier’s future was up in arms during the summer transfer window, as several clubs were looking to lure him away from Ibrox, with interest coming from former Rangers managers Steven Gerrard and Giovanni van Bronckhorst, in charge of Al-Ettifaq and Besiktas respectively.
No move materialised before the transfer deadline, yet journalist Graeme Bailey has provided a fresh update surrounding his future, saying: “Exclusive – James Tavernier offered Rangers exit route following Old Firm abuse. Clubs in Turkey and Qatar ready to make moves.”
Could this see the 32-year-old make an unlikely move away from the Gers sooner rather than later? Or will he remain at the club until the end of his current contract?
James Tavernier’s season in numbers so far
Last year, the Englishman scored a career-high best of 24 goals throughout the campaign, while also registering 12 assists in all competitions.
This made him the highest scorer in the squad, yet despite this incredible individual season for the club, they could only win the League Cup as Tavernier’s mentality came into question during the latter months of the season.
Rangers had excellent chances to win the Scottish Cup and Premiership title, but suffered damaging losses to Celtic, Ross County and Motherwell during the run-in.
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2023/24
58
24
12
2022/23
55
18
10
2021/22
58
18
17
2020/21
46
19
16
2019/20
46
3
16
2018/19
57
17
20
2017/18
46
9
9
2016/17
44
2
7
2015/16
50
15
23
This lethargy has carried into the current season, with Tavernier failing to really inspire his teammates thus far, winning just three of their opening seven games of the campaign.
Tavernier has failed to score a single goal during these games, while registering just two assists in the process, as his attacking output has dropped significantly from last term.
The right-back has managed to create three big chances while averaging 2.5 key passes per game in the top flight, but those appear to be wasted by those playing in front of him.
He could well be on the wane as a player, especially with his output in front of goal dipping dramatically. This could see Clement having to make a decision on his future sooner rather than later, as January could represent the final chance for the Gers to sell him for a decent fee.
Whatever happens, he has been a wonderful servant to the club, but it looks as though the end is nigh, and it is time for the Light Blues to cash in.
James Tavernier
Hopefully, a solid transfer fee is received, similar to the sort that Walter Smith managed to wrangle for defender Alan Hutton back in 2008.
How much Rangers sold Alan Hutton for in 2024 money
Following a stunning start to the 2007/08 season which saw Rangers perform well in both Europe and domestically, Hutton soon became a transfer target for Premier League clubs.
Alan Hutton
Towards the end of the January transfer window, Smith accepted Tottenham Hotspur’s £9m offer to take the defender down south, representing a sensational profit considering he emerged through the youth ranks at Ibrox.
This fee was clearly too good to turn down, allowing Smith to bolster his squad during the summer of 2008 as he ramped up for a tilt at the league title that season.
In 2024, money, however – with Totally Money having adjusted for inflation over the years – this £9m transfer fee would be worth a staggering £29.8m if he made the same move just now.
This transfer fee is currently over four times more than what Tavernier is worth at the time of writing. According to Transfermarkt, the captain’s market value is currently standing at €6.5m (£5.5m), clearly demonstrating how much the club hit the jackpot by moving on Hutton when they did.
If Clement can get anywhere near the fee Hutton was sold for, then he would be doing extremely well, no doubt about that.
Alan Hutton’s Rangers statistics
The right-back made his debut during the 2002/03 season for the Light Blues, before gaining more of a chance in the next campaign under Alex McLeish, although it was a poor one for the Ibrox side, who finished trophyless.
The 2004/05 campaign saw Hutton establish himself as the main right-back during the first half of the season, but a leg break against Kilmarnock in February 2005 meant he didn’t play a part in either the League Cup final or the title run-in.
Alan Hutton
Once he recovered, he made a total of 90 appearances for the club before Spurs came calling in 2008, leaving after making more than 100 competitive appearances for the Light Blues since making his debut in 2002.
He was praised highly by former assistant coach Ally McCoist, who said of the defender: “I have no doubt Alan is destined for great things but I believe those great things can be with Rangers. We don’t want to lose players of his quality.”
Unfortunately, barring a rare occurrence, selling players for this type of fee has hardly been done since Hutton departed all those years ago.
While Tavernier is approaching 33, his statistics over the previous few years should mean Clement can place a decent valuation on his head if any clubs continue to sniff around the captain.
Whatever happens, Tavernier must improve his performances between now and the start of 2025, otherwise he could even be dropped by the management team should these poor displays persist over the coming weeks.
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The Gers have had some fine strikers over the years to call upon
Noni Madueke has staked his claim for a regular starting role under Enzo Maresca in recent weeks, starring in Chelsea’s mammoth victory over Wolves last weekend.
The 22-year-old registered a second-half hat-trick in the 6-2 win, producing his best display for the Blues since his move from PSV Eindhoven back in January 2023.
It comes just weeks after he was strongly touted with a move to join fellow Premier League side Newcastle United, with a deal reportedly going as far as the winger agreeing personal terms with the Magpies.
After his sensational performance, it’s highly unlikely that the Englishman will depart Stamford Bridge before Friday’s deadline, showcasing he still has the ability to be a key first-team member despite his lack of opportunities last season.
However, Madueke could be joined in West London by a plethora of players, with the Blues still working tirelessly to make new additions before the closure of the window.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Jadon Sancho
It’s safe to say Raheem Sterling’s time at Chelsea has been a disaster, with the former England international failing to justify his £50m fee that saw him join the club from Manchester City.
The 29-year-old, who is the club’s highest earner on a staggering £325k-per-week as per Capology, has been left out of Maresca’s Premier League squad for the 2024/25 campaign, signalling the end of his time in West London.
He’s previously been linked with a move to join Newcastle, but recent reports claim he could be involved in a potential swap deal that could see Jadon Sancho join the Blues from Manchester United.
The former Borussia Dortmund star spent the second half of last season back on loan at the Bundesliga side, but despite fixing his relationship with Erik ten Hag, he looks set for his own exit before the transfer deadline.
Sancho cost the Red Devils £73m back in 2021, but after just 12 goals in 82 appearances, he could be set to swap Old Trafford for Stamford Bridge.
However, given his lack of impact in Manchester, the Blues would be best to steer clear of any deal for the 24-year-old, potentially turning their attention to another player they’ve targeted in the past.
Why Chelsea should move for Bakayoko instead of Sancho
In previous months, the Blues have been linked with a move to repeat their Madueke capture with the signing of PSV’s Belgian winger Johan Bakayoko, after the youngster set the Eredivisie alight last season.
The 21-year-old registered 21 combined goals and assists in his 33 league appearances during 2023/24, prompting interest from Chelsea – with a £35m fee touted for his services.
He would be a much more valuable addition than Sancho, with Bakayoko blowing the Englishman out of the water in numerous key attacking aspects last season.
The “dangerous” forward, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, completed more progressive carries per 90, whilst achieving a higher take-on success rate – showcasing his ability to take the ball into attacking areas and beating the opposition.
Games played
33
17
Goals + assists
21
4
Progressive carries
7.1
6.2
Shots taken
3.5
0.8
Take-on success
53%
51%
Shots on target
1.2
0.4
Pass accuracy
82%
81%
He was also more of a goal threat than the United man, averaging over four times the amount of shots per 90, whilst averaging three times the number of efforts on target – potentially providing Maresca with added firepower in the final third.
Whilst a deal for Sancho would potentially see the club finally shift Sterling off the books, a move for Bakayoko would undoubtedly hand the club more quality in attacking areas.
Johan Bakayoko for PSV
After such erratic dealings in the market, it’s crucial the club identify the right players to take the club back to the heights they once achieved, with the Belgian having all of the qualities to succeed in the Premier League.
Not only would it allow the club to repeat the successful capture of Madueke, but the pair could also potentially form an excellent partnership at Stamford Bridge and lead Maresca's hunt for a top-four finish this season.
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The Blues would welcome this talented forward instead of Osimhen…
Brazil defender Gleison Bremer could be exactly what Manchester United need to take the next step as they seek to make improvements on the season just passed.
Erik ten Hag enjoyed a relatively successful first season in charge of Manchester United after his move from Dutch giants Ajax last summer.
The 53-year-old tactician won the League Cup by beating Newcastle United in the final at Wembley earlier this year and qualified for the Champions League with a third-placed finish in the Premier League.
He now has an opportunity to bolster his squad in the summer transfer window with a view to achieving greater success – hopefully in the form of more silverware next season.
One area in which the Dutchman is seemingly interested in strengthening is in the heart of his defence. Calcio Mercato recently reported that the club are keen on Juventus ace Bremer, who would cost at least €60m (£51m).
Who is Gleison Bremer?
The 26-year-old centre-back has been an excellent performer in Serie A and someone who could be an outstanding addition to United's squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
He could be a dream upgrade on current defender Raphael Varane based on their respective performances last term, and that is why Ten Hag must push to complete a deal for the Brazilian ace.
Bremer averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.11 across 30 league outings for Juventus in 2022/23 and showcased his defensive quality with 2.3 tackles and interceptions per game, alongside 1.63 blocks per 90.
Juventus central defender Bremer.
Varane, meanwhile, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.85 across 24 Premier League matches and made 1.5 tackles and interceptions per outing to go along with 1.05 blocks per 90.
These statistics indicate that the Serie A battler has the ability to perform at a higher level on a consistent basis whilst being able to make more vital defensive interventions to stop opposition attacks each game.
Whilst the obvious emphasis is – and should be – on their ability to prevent goals, Bremer would also come in and provide a threat at the top end of the pitch.
The Juventus titan, who was once hailed as "unbelievable" by journalist Ryan Taylor, ranks in the top 1% of centre-backs across the Men's top five Leagues and European competitions for non-penalty expected goals (npxG) and expected assisted goals (xAG) combined per 90 (0.20) over the last 365 days.
He ended the 2022/23 campaign with 4.9 xG and 1.7 xAG, which resulted in four goals and one assist, and could offer far more than Varane, who was not directly involved in any league goals for United last term, while averaging just 0.05 combined non-penalty xG and xAG per 90 over the last 365 days.
Therefore, Bremer could be a big upgrade on the current United stopper in terms of the level of quality the 26-year-old talent is able to provide in both boxes.
Arsenal have been in contact with Kai Havertz once again over the weekend and the German forward has reaffirmed his interest in making the move to north London.
How much is Kai Havertz worth?
This summer will present the Gunners with an opportunity to build on what proved to be a promising 2022/23 campaign in north London.
Mikel Arteta's men did not have enough firepower behind them to see their title charge over the line as Manchester City pipped them to the Premier League crown.
But the Spaniard – and the fans – will have a lot of positives to take from their displays in the 2022/23 campaign and provide them with a lot of optimism for the upcoming campaign.
However, having seen City land the treble in recent weeks, it will surely send a message to the board and Edu Gaspar that Arsenal may need to invest heavily if they are to dethrone the champions.
And it seems as if the Gunners are keen to do so this summer with links to the likes of Havertz who has reportedly been valued at around £75m by Chelsea.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the German has been in contact with Arsenal over the weekend where he was proclaimed his interest in a potential transfer:
"Kai Havertz has been very clear, also this morning [Sunday], in new contacts, he wants to join Arsenal.
"He has an agreement with Arsenal on personal terms, so everything is ready on player's side."
How many goals did Havertz score last season?
It was an underwhelming campaign for the Blues last season and Havertz is not a player who can be excused from their failings.
Despite playing the majority of the campaign as their centre-forward, Havertz was only able to provide the west London side with seven goals in the Premier League (via Transfermarkt).
Chelsea played the majority of the 2022/23 campaign without an out-and-out striker in their starting XI which can certainly be seen through their poor return in front of goal.
Kai Havertz Chelsea
And it has to be questioned whether Havertz has actually done enough to earn himself a transfer to a side who challenged so strongly for the Premier League title.
The Gunners will be playing Champions League football next season and, in Chelsea's European games, Havertz was only able to return two goals in his 10 Champions League appearances last season (via Transfermarkt).
He has been hailed as a "magician" by some in the media and the potential opportunity at Arsenal could allow him to rediscover his form shown in the Bundesliga.
Manchester United could finally land Adrien Rabiot this summer, with the club having placed a concrete offer to the midfielder according to a report from Tuttosport, via Metro.
How many goals has Rabiot scored?
The France star has produced some of his best football for Juventus this season, bagging eight goals and four assists from the centre of the field in 32 Serie A games. It's the best production of the Frenchman's career to date, but it couldn't stop the Italian side from slipping down the division and finishing in seventh – a terrible season thanks to points deductions due to financial irregularities.
Despite this, the 28-year-old has stood out as one of the best in his position in Europe. When compared to other midfielders in the Men's 'Top Five' leagues, he ranks highly in a number of categories for his work over the last year. His non-penalty goals of 0.25 per 90 for example means that he has one of the best rates around and it places him in the top 4% of midfielders in that category.
In addition, his 2.40 progressive carries per 90 put him within the 84th percentile as one of the best midfielders at carrying the ball forward. It means that he is a player that knows where the back of the net is and likes to get on the front foot and create things offensively for his team – and is very good at doing so.
Juventus then won't be too keen to lose him but there has so far been no sign of him extending his current contract, which expires at the end of this month. According to a report from Tuttosport, via Metro, the player could be off to England and the Premier League, with Manchester United having made a contract offer to sign the Frenchman.
It suggests that the Serie A side want to try and ensure Rabiot stays in Italy but with the player having already rejected some contract offers – and with the Red Devils having made a bid of their own – he could be set for the exit door.
CIES Football Observatory suggest that Rabiot is worth around 50 million Euros (or £42m), which means that if United do manage to land the midfielder on a free, then it would be a shrewd bit of business by them, having tried to sign him both last summer and in January.
adrien-rabiot-juventus-man-united-transfers
Would Rabiot be a good signing for Man United?
The midfielder has excelled this season, as stated by his stats over the course of the campaign, and a deal to send him to Old Trafford could therefore be a good move by the club.
Former professionals have hailed the player for his performances for example, with David Trezeguet labelling the midfielder as "world-class" and "extraordinary" because of his showings for his country.
Not only is he adept at getting forward but he also puts in a shift defensively too, with the 28-year-old averaging 1.60 clearances per 90 and 1.37 blocks to boot. Rabiot then can do it all in midfield and he could certainly come in and boost the midfield for United if he did make the move to Old Trafford.
Everton are interested in a deal to sign Manchester United forward Amad Diallo on loan this summer, according to reports.
Who is Amad Diallo?
Diallo is naturally a right-winger who first arrived at Old Trafford back in 2021 from Atalanta, but having made just nine senior appearances, has spent the majority of his time on the road having carried out two loan spells, the first with Glasgow Rangers and most recently Sunderland.
During his time at the Stadium of Light, the 20-year-old was a standout star and established himself as Tony Mowbray’s top-performing offensive player so he’s bound to have attracted interest ahead of the upcoming window.
The Red Devils ace still has another two years to run on his contract with Erik Ten Hag’s outfit and has even admitted that it’s his dream to play regular football under the Dutchman, but despite this, Sean Dyche is ready to swoop in a bid to bring him to Goodison Park.
Are Everton signing Diallo?
According to The Northern Echo, Everton are “keen” to take Diallo on loan ahead of the start of the 2023/24 term. The Toffees are expected to “target” the temporary market as a result of having an extremely limited budget. Premier League rivals West Ham United and newly-promoted Burnley have also been credited with an interest, alongside Sunderland, who would love to re-sign him.
Ten Hag “intends” to give the talented prospect a chance to prove himself in the senior fold, but it’s stated that the boss “will consider” letting him out on loan again should he feel that he’s not ready to step up at Man United.
Sunderland forward Amad Diallo.
At Sunderland, Diallo was hailed for his “exceptional” shooting skills by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and should he be able to replicate the same prolific form at Everton, he would be a top-class acquisition for Dyche on Merseyside.
United’s left-footed gem, who pockets £28k-per-week, posted 16 goal contributions (13 goals and three assists) in 37 Championship appearances last season, as well as recording 64 shots which was higher than any other member of Mowbray’s squad, as per FBRef, and this form saw him receive four man-of-the-match awards.
Finally, Diallo is a versatile operator having played in six various positions over the grass since first bursting onto the professional scene, including everywhere across the frontline and even in the midfield, making him the perfect candidate to put pen to paper in the weeks ahead.
Manchester United are reportedly increasingly confident of signing Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount during the summer transfer window.
Is Mount leaving Chelsea this summer?
The 24-year-old has been one of the most heavily discussed transfer topics in recent weeks, with his future still very much up in the air. Contract discussions with the Blues appear to have completely broken down of late, and with his current deal running out next year, he could move on to a new challenge this summer.
Mount may well have played his final game for Chelsea on Sunday – he was filmed walking across the Stamford Bridge pitch and gazing longingly at the stadium after the 1-1 draw with Newcastle United – and the £80,000-a-week isn't without suitors currently.
There has been lots of interest from the Blues' Premier League rivals, with United and Liverpool arguably emerging as the two front-runners to snap him up before the beginning of next season.
Chelsea'sMasonMount
Are Man Utd confident of snapping up Mount?
According to Football Insider, United are "growing in confidence about the potential signing of Chelsea’s Mason Mount this summer", even though Liverpool are "still keen on agreeing a deal". The report does go on to add that "Mount himself is yet to make up his mind on his future – despite the confidence of Old Trafford chiefs".
The latter part of the update may at least give Chelsea supporters some hope that Mount may stay put and sign a new deal at the club, although at this point, it does feel as though Mauricio Pochettino will have to do a lot of convincing.
It feels like the Englishman has decided that a fresh challenge makes sense, and the lure of playing Champions League football with United could swing his thinking, with both the Blues and Liverpool unable to offer him that next season.
The hope is that Mount signs an extension, of course, considering he has registered 70 goal contributions for the club (33 goals and 37 assists) – he has also been hailed as "unbelievable" by former Chelsea hero Joe Cole – but if he doesn't want to stay, it is a case of receiving as much money as possible for him and using the funds to bolster Pochettino's squad this summer.
At 24, losing Mount could be such a blow, with his best years likely to be ahead of him, but there is little that can be done if both parties are remaining stubborn over contract talks.
Arsenal have now been given an exciting update on their pursuit of West Ham United captain Declan Rice by Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.
What's the latest on Declan Rice to Arsenal?
Football Insider have recently reported Rice has told his friends he has played his final Premier League game for West Ham, opening up the door for a move elsewhere in the summer, with Arsenal said to be in pole position.
Although the Gunners are currently leading the race, there will also be competition from Chelsea, as well as both Manchester clubs, but the report claims the Englishman wants to remain in London, which could give Mikel Arteta a real boost in the race for his signature.
The Mirror report that Arteta wants to bring in the central midfielder to replace the outgoing Granit Xhaka, while also adding that West Ham are ready to let him leave this summer, should their asking price be met.
That said, there will be fierce competition for the £60k-per-week star, as Plettenberg has recently told Sky Sports he is "at the top" of Bayern Munich's list of transfer targets for the summer, having already held a telephone conversation with Thomas Tuchel.
However, the Sky Sports reportes provides some exciting news for Arsenal fans, as he claims that Bayern are "running out of time", while also adding: "Arsenal are further along and he could switch to the Gunners immediately."
Will Rice leave West Ham this summer?
It appears as though the 24-year-old is edging towards exiting the London Stadium this summer, with manager David Moyes admitting he could leave, while he has previously outlined that he wants to play in the Champions League.
That could potentially open the door for a move to the Emirates Stadium, and he would be an excellent addition to Arteta's squad, having been the Hammers' best performer in the Premier League this season, averaging a 7.01 WhoScored rating.
West Ham United'sDeclanRice
As previously mentioned, Arsenal are looking at signing the England international to replace Xhaka, and he would be a real improvement defensively speaking, having averaged more tackles, interceptions and blocks per 90 than the 30-year-old over the past year.
Hailed as "dominant" by journalist Charles Watts earlier this year, Rice should now be coming into his prime years at the age of 24, and the Gunners should move swiftly to secure his signature, given that Bayern also appear to be seriously interested.