Tottenham Hotspur will be delighted with UEFA’s latest U-turn, which involves awarding additional spaces in the Champions League based on a league-specific coefficient system, football finance expert Kieran Maguire has claimed.
The Lowdown: UEFA’s plans
UEFA had originally intended to hand out two extra places in the Champions League, which fell in accordance with clubs’ 10-year coefficients. However, critics argued that this represented an unwarranted insurance policy for the ‘big clubs’ who were seen to be underperforming.
As a result, The Times have reported that UEFA will now award an extra spot based on a country’s performance in the competition, which would likely lead to a fifth team qualifying from the Premier League.
With Tottenham still fighting it out for a fourth-place finish and a spot in the Champions League, Maguire has claimed that Spurs, and by association their chairman Daniel Levy, will welcome this news – especially with the potential to earn up to £150m from qualifying for the competition.
Speaking with Football Insider, he proclaimed: “It is a backstop for the likes of Spurs.
“Qualifying for the group stages of the Champions League generates more money than winning the Europa League, and the upper limit is £150m.
“We can argue about the fairness of it but this is why Tottenham would understandably be so keen to have these insurance options in place.”
The Verdict: Levy will be delighted
With the new insurance policy set to come into play, Levy will be delighted with the increased probability of gaining revenue as a result of Champions League qualification.
Furthermore, this could also act as an incentive for manager Antonio Conte to remain with the club, as it has previously been reported that it is unlikely that the Italian would stick around in N17 without Champions League football.
Therefore, the introduction of a backstop will surely be welcomed by Spurs, as Maguire has suggested.
In other news: Noel Whelan drops Richarlison/Spurs transfer claim
Manchester City have been rather proactive when it comes to signing new players during recent summer and winter transfer windows.
As the Manchester club are looking to secure their fourth Premier League title in five years, it seems as though they have been dealt a blow in regards to one potential transfer deal for the upcoming window.
What’s the news?
In a recent Twitter post, journalist and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano relayed comments from RB Leipzig director, Oliver Mintzlaff, regarding the future of Christopher Nkunku, who has been linked with a move to City.
He said: “We have clearly discussed it internally: we won’t let Nkunku leave this summer, we told him and his agent.”
Romano then added that Leipzig “will also try to extend his contract but talks are still at [the] early stages.”
Guardiola will be fuming
Now that it has been revealed that Leipzig will not be allowing their star figure to leave in the summer, this will surely be bad news for City, thus leaving Pep Guardiola fuming.
Since joining the German club back in 2019 from Paris Saint-Germain, the Frenchman has gone on to make 134 appearances for Leipzig across all competitions.
In those appearances, the 24-year-old has found the net 46 times and delivered 47 assists along the way with a whopping 54 of those involvements coming this term alone. That shows precisely why a team like City would have their eye on adding him to their ranks.
To further highlight how much of an impressive attacking and creative figure he is, no other player in the Bundesliga has racked up more shot-creating actions than Nkunku (129) this season.
He also ranks fourth for shots on target (36) and successful dribbles throughout the current Bundesliga campaign, making him a real handful for defenders and goalkeepers to deal with.
However, with it recently being reported that a deal for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland is close to being completed, this could take some of the sting away from City fans and Guardiola over potentially missing out on signing Nkunku.
Although should the Manchester club fancy their chances of swaying the hierarchy at Leipzig into selling their French talent, he would certainly be an exciting addition to what is already a rather deadly attacking side if he doesn’t sign a new deal at his current club.
In other news: “Man City will..”: Romano drops behind scenes transfer claim, it’s bad news for Pep
Former Aston Villa striker Frank McAvennie has warned Steven Gerrard against a move for Rangers centre-back Filip Helander.
The lowdown: Villa linked with Helander
A Villa Park source recently told Football Insider that the 41-year-old was considering revisiting his former employers in an attempt to bring the Swedish defender to the Midlands.
The 29-year-old was signed for the Light Blues by the current Villa boss in 2019, arriving at Ibrox for £3.5m from Serie A outfit Bologna (BBC).
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Since then, Helander has gone from strength to strength in Scotland, being an integral part of the Rangers side which lifted the Premiership title in 2020/21.
The latest: McAvennie unsure about Helander
Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie – who represented Villa three times in the first Premier League season – has suggested that Gerrard could be best served to look elsewhere for central defensive reinforcements.
The 62-year-old said: “Helander is alright but the Premier League is a big jump. It’s not like Van Dijk. When he was at Celtic, it was clear he was miles better than anyone else.
“He had to move to the Premier League, he was too good. He used to just stroll around the pitch. When you see players like that, you know they are going to do great things.
“Is Helander that player? I’m not sure. Fair play to him though, Gerrard must think he’s good enough.
“I just wonder with the money Villa have and where they want to be, would they not be looking at a player with Premier League experience. It’s a risk, for me.”
The verdict: Better options elsewhere
Not only is the 19-cap Sweden international unproven in the Premier League, at 29 and with a worrying injury track record there seems not much scope for him to quickly adapt to life in the English top flight.
This season, Helander has made just 11 appearances across all competitions, falling way short of an impressive 2020/21 campaign in which the towering defender earned a 7.10 average Sofascore rating from 22 league outings.
Despite the 29-year-old previously being hailed as a ‘leader’ by Gerrard, the Villa boss should be looking elsewhere for defensive reinforcements to complement Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa this summer.
In other news, BBC man urges Aston Villa to sign ‘magical’ star. Read more here.
Sunderland have received a notable injury setback ahead of Saturday’s pivotal League One final day clash with Morecambe…
What’s the word?
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Black Cats manager Alex Neil revealed that the injury to defender Carl Winchester may be worse than first feared, with the 29-year-old set for a longer stint on the treatment table.
Asked about the fitness of the Northern Irishman – who was forced off early in the 5-1 win over Cambridge last week – the former Preston North End boss said: “It’s not particularly good news on that one, it’s certainly looking like weeks rather than days”.
The 40-year-old did reveal that young Denis Cirkin is “not far away” from a return to action, although it remains to be seen if the youngster will be fit in time for this weekend’s trip to Lancashire.
Huge blow for Sunderland
This latest news will surely come as a real blow to all concerned, with the versatile Winchester having been a huge asset for the Black Cats so far this season, with the ex-Forest Green man having made 45 appearances in all competitions thus far.
His absence comes at precisely the wrong time for the promotion-chasing outfit, with it all still to play for heading into the final day of the League One campaign. The Stadium of Light club are still not certain of a place in the top six, despite being fifth in the table at present.
Even if they can secure their place in those much-coveted spots by the close of play on Saturday – with a win guaranteeing them a play-off berth – not having the Belfast-born ace in tow for those post-season games could also prove costly, with the Sunderland fanbase desperate to avoid a fifth successive campaign in the third tier.
Prior to his recent injury, the former Cheltenham Town man had been a reliable presence for the club, averaging a solid 6.80 Sofascore average match rating in the league, while also registering 1.4 clearances, two tackles and one interception per game.
Typically lining up in a right-back role, the £3.4k-per-week Winchester may have only chipped in with three goals and one assist so far this term, although has already become something of a “cult hero” due to his committed approach, according to journalist James Copley.
Former Sunderland boss Lee Johnson – who signed him on a free transfer in January 2021 – also dubbed him a “really good piece of business”, with his successor surely praying that the 29-year-old can be involved again in the coming weeks, should all go to plan against the relegation-threatened Shrimps.
AND in other news, Speakman howler: Sunderland may now be on the verge of repeating brutal Hugill disasterclass…
There was a moment after the final whistle that typified Everton’s performance at Old Trafford.
A bloody-nosed Jake O’Brien stood, breathless, beside the centre circle, and David Moyes darted about with raw and passionate joy, congratulating his players after their 1-0 win over Manchester United.
It was a tenacious and draining display, the kind that Toffees fans love, that steeliness of spirit that is so typical of the Merseyside club.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was all passion when he wheeled away in celebration after a sweet finish into the corner before half an hour had been clocked. His weak-footed wonder would prove the match-winning strike.
However, the highly-charged emotions were two-fold, and Idrissa Gueye found himself dismissed before that point, having been adjudged to have slapped none other than teammate Michael Keane.
Everton's enthralling response to Gueye's red card
It looked set to be a long and gruelling evening for Everton after Gueye was dismissed in the first half following an altercation with his own pal Keane.
The dismissal was harsh, but the spat between the two Blues was needless. Gueye will miss Everton’s next three matches due to violent conduct, and he will leave for a sojourn at the African Cup of Nations after the new year.
Even so, Everton responded with the kind of vim and vigour Moyes craves. This was a herculean performance, the visitors leaving the Theatre of Dreams, having willed their way past Ruben Amorim’s lagging side.
Dewsbury-Hall was the man of the moment but Jordan Pickford’s imperious goalkeeping helped matters, for sure.
But, this was a massive collective effort, Dewsbury-Hall the goal-getter but flanked by hard-working Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye, supported by a determined Keane and commanding captain James Tarkowski.
One man trudged off the field during the closing stages having failed an individual objective, but then this Marouane Fellaini-esque Everton star also showed so much promise against a Red Devils backline who struggled to contain him.
Moyes's new Marouane Fellaini
It’s been a testing start to life in Liverpool for Thierno Barry after his £27m move to Everton from Villarreal this summer, but he’s probably put in the best performance of his campaign so far against Manchester United’s backline.
The centre-forward was hailed by one scout for being “very close to clicking”, with his energy and enthusiasm offering shades of Fellaini, who became the most expensive Belgian of all time when joining Everton for £15m (their club-record buy) from Standard Liege in 2008.
It took time and experimentation for Fellaini to find his feet, but once he did, he became a monstrous box-to-box force at Goodison Park, and Barry must take a leaf from the retired star’s book and continue to knuckle down with a continuation of performances like this one at Old Trafford.
Fellaini featured 193 times under Moyes’ wing across stints at Everton and Man United, making him the 14th-highest appearance maker in the Scotsman’s managerial history.
Everton
177
33 + 24
Man United
177
22 + 10
Shandong
141
50 + 14
Standed Liege
84
12 + 7
Barry won’t likely play as many matches in the veteran coach’s system, but that’s not to say the summer recruit cannot forge a long and prosperous career for himself on Merseyside, carrying Moyes’ schoolings right through that Everton career.
He didn’t score against Man United, but the 23-year-old was full of life and bustle, with Sofascore recording that he won 14 aerial battles on the evening. That’s the highest amount of any player in the Premier League this season across a single contest.
Moreover, Barry made three ball recoveries, two clearances and provided an outlet all evening, taking a stride forward toward cementing his place at the front of the ship, even though he hasn’t yet broken his duck.
The Liverpool Echo handed the French striker a 7/10 match rating, but the truth is that he might have enjoyed a higher score after such a battle-ready performance, never easing against United’s centre-halves while demonstrating slick movement throughout.
Moyes went ballistic when Beto squandered possession late on, brought on in the closing stages for freshness and physicality. The established number nine has done his chances a lot of harm this season, and Barry is beginning to show that he has what it takes to nail down a regular starting spot in this system.
This striker is full of potential. He didn’t actually manage a shot at Old Trafford, but impressed nonetheless.
The goals will come. He’s talented and willing to learn. Bonus: there’s something almost Fellaini-esque about his aerial prowess and willingness to get stuck in. Moyes will be delighted.
0 minutes all season: "Generational" Everton star could be Branthwaite 2.0
David Moyes must consider unleashing this talented Everton youngster in the coming weeks.
Everton weren’t able to learn all that much from their recent draw in the Premier League against West Ham United.
The central forwards are still misfiring, but there is a new spring in the Toffees’ collective step, and David Moyes’ system continues to show an impressive degree of dynamism.
Against West Ham, there were both winners and losers in Blue. A draw was the result, and Everton shift into ninth place, alongside a huddle of sides on eight points after six games.
Michael Keane continues to stake his claim for a regular starting role in this improving Everton side, while Jack Grealish, even on an ‘off day’, created three chances and looked a focal source of joy from an attacking standpoint. The flow of Moyes’ system runs through the esteemed loanee.
However, we cannot hide from the fact that there were a few who flattered to deceive. In particular, Beto’s woes in front of goal persisted against Nuno Espirito Santo’s Irons, and the Bissau Guinean striker needs to click into gear quickly if he is going to confidently lead the line across the term.
Beto's struggles in front of goal
Manager bounce. A sporting phenomenon that can be defined as a temporary improvement to an ailing team’s performance levels as a direct result of a change in leadership, invigorating the players with a fresh lease of life.
For Everton, this was certainly the case, but then they have also plateaued at a level above that which was being played when Sean Dyche was in the dugout and battling against relegation.
However, for Beto, his post-Dyche purple patch is beginning to look like a flash in the pan. Peripheral across the first half of the 2024/25 season, the 27-year-old scored five goals in four Premier League matches after Moyes’ arrival. He has since scored three times across 18 league fixtures.
Games
42
23
Starts
10
20
Goals
4
8
Assists
0
0
Work is needed, but Thierno Barry, £27m summer signing from Villarreal, has yet to prove that he has what it takes to supersede his positional rival.
Against West Ham, Beto struggled once again, missing a chance to score in the first half, with sports writer Barry Viner even describing the forward as “useless”.
If an upswing in form is not on the horizon, changes will be needed. And Beto isn’t the only one, with another Everton star proving against West Ham that he is not the solution in his current role.
Moyes must ditch Everton star
Moyes has an aptitude for lifting players. He recognises the strengths and qualities inherent in any given star and knows how to apply their preferred style within his tactical system.
And the rise and rise of Jake O’Brien since the beginning of 2025 has been a testament to this argument. The Irishman joined from Lyon for around £16m in July 2024, but he scarcely played until the new year had dawned.
Jake O'Brien in action for Everton
More often than not, he has played as a right-back, moonlighting in a role he probably didn’t envisage when crossing the Channel and heading to Merseyside.
But the 6 foot 6 O’Brien has typified the commitment and willingness needed to succeed in a Moyes team, having played every minute of the Premier League campaign from the right side of the defence.
This needs to change, and the draw against West Ham underlined that, with the Liverpool Echo branding the 24-year-old with a 5/10 match rating after a performance that laid bare his lack of focus and deficiencies when getting forward and contributing toward the attack.
He also left something to be desired from an aerial standpoint. As per Sofascore, O’Brien only won three of his six headed challenges, dribbled past twice and having lost the ball 12 times despite failing to create a single chance.
Iliman Ndiaye is playing in an unnatural right-flanking role this season, so to accommodate Grealish on the left. He’s shown flashes of quality across his five appearances, but then Senegalese talent is being supported by a right-back more naturally suited to the centre-half role.
This is not to say that O’Brien never deserves a starting berth again. He has been dependable and industrious since Moyes arrived at the club. However, not signing a right-back this summer was a confusing decision from the Friedkin Group, especially with Ndiaye playing on the right and thus in need of more support.
Former Everton writer Adam Jones even noted during the game that “O’Brien at right-back just does not work in the long term”, continuing to criticise the “mind-boggling” decision not to sign a natural wideman this summer.
While Moyes intimated during the transfer window that this new Everton project cannot be built in a day, or, more accurately, a single transfer window, there’s a sense that the club have sold themselves short in some areas, and with such promise coursing through the squad, it would be disappointing for a dearth of options in key areas to unravel the hard work plied across the year.
Jake O'Brien celebrates for Everton
O’Brien is a talented and combative defender who has a long-term place in this Everton squad, but it’s clear that TFG needed to sign a natural right-back this summer, especially with Seamus Coleman at the twilight end of his career and Nathan Patterson embroiled in an interminable battle against injuries.
As the season deepens, it’s becoming clear that Beto might not have what it takes to lead the line for Everton in the long run. Is this the same for O’Brien? It is not.
However, as Moyes’ system continues to develop and modernise, so too must an emphasis be placed on an upgrade on the right.
Moyes has just unearthed Everton's brand new Baines & it's not Mykolenko
Everton drew 1-1 with West Ham United in the Premier League as they crept up into ninth place.
Tottenham Hotspur showcased their resilience and togetherness to climb back from a two-goal deficit against Brighton & Hove Albion on the south coast in the Premier League.
However, last season’s residual defensive deficiencies had previously seeped in, with Yankuba Minteh and Yasin Ayari firing the hosts into a 2-0 lead in the first half, against the run of play.
Thomas Frank was delighted with his team’s performance, even though the shares were spoiled, with several players in particular really shining at the AMEX.
Spurs' best performers vs Brighton
Richarlison halved the deficit for Tottenham just before the interval to restore hope. That hope was captured and channelled in the second half, with Jan Paul van Hecke bundling in an own goal in the late stages to restore parity for the visitors.
Richarlison for Tottenham
At the centre of both goals was Mohammed Kudus, who was a menace throughout the contest. Signed from West Ham United for £55m in the summer, he is a work in progress but endowed with such quality, and the same can be said for nifty playmaker Xavi Simons.
Kudus was a constant thorn in the Seagulls’ side over the 90, attempting 12 dribbles and winning eight duels in total, as outlined by data-driven site Sofascore.
He could be more accurate in his attacking play, even having got the assist for Richarlison’s goal, but what a danger Frank has in this electric-paced winger.
Indeed, Wilson Odobert is a winger of high-speed efficiency, but it’s not working out for him in a Lilywhite shirt so far, with his performances perhaps shaping him into this year’s version of Brennan Johnson.
Frank must instantly drop Wilson Odobert
Johnson scored 18 goals for Tottenham across all competitions last season, the last of which carried quite the significance, but he toiled for much of the year, ghosting for large segments of the campaign. Odobert may well be taking that unwanted vacancy in Frank’s squad.
Indeed, Kudus might be firing on all cylinders after his cross-capital switch in the summer, but the same can’t be said for Odobert, who might have expected to kick on after an injury-hit maiden year at Tottenham but has so far offered little in the way of genuine promise.
Football.london saw it fit to brand Odobert with a 4/10 match rating, singling out his ineffectiveness when on the ball and failure to showcase any sort of meaningful threat.
Plenty of huff and puff, but the winger failed with every single one of his attempted dribbles and duels, and that tells the tale of the tape.
Minutes played
72′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
48
Shots (on target)
1 (0)
Accurate passes
33/39 (85%)
Key passes
0
Possession lost
12x
Tackles
0
Duels won
0/5
Minteh, his opposite number, won five duels and, of course, opened the scoring after darting round Guglielmo Vicario and converting.
Content creator Mitch Fretton noted that the French talent is “not performing at the required level this season”. With such thick competition in the attacking areas, it feels like Odobert might face an uphill battle to start in the Premier League again in the foreseeable future, with his struggles on the flank reminiscent of Johnson’s last year.
The Welsh winger was heavily criticised for his performances at the start of the 2024/25 campaign, but it’s worth noting that he bounced back spectacularly to play a significant role.
Let’s not forget, Johnson scored the goal which secured Tottenham some silverware at the end of Ange Postecoglou’s tenure. Odobert might be struggling to bring it all together at the moment, but let’s not count him out.
Worth even more than Kudus: Spurs have struck gold on "sensational" talent
Tottenham Hotspur have once again shown their impressive work in the transfer market given one player’s rise.
Leeds United have showcased in their previous stint in the Premier League that they are capable of thriving and causing upsets – but more importantly, avoiding relegation back to the Championship.
The Whites spent three seasons in the top-flight between 2020 and 2023, registering a ninth-place finish in their first year back in such a division after a 16-year absence.
Such a spell saw striker Patrick Bamford enjoy the best run of his career, netting 17 goals in the league, subsequently earning his first call-up to the England national team.
Premier League, Leeds United, Leeds United news, Leeds United latest news, Leeds United team news, LUFC news, LUFC latest, LUFC analysis, LUFC team news, Javi Gracia, Patrick Bamford
However, it’s highly unlikely the 31-year-old will make the same impact under Daniel Farke this time around, after failing to net a single goal across all competitions in 2024/25.
The club will need added reinforcements within the final third if they are to be a success and avoid relegation and suffer an immediate return to England’s second tier.
The latest on Leeds’ hunt for a new striker
With the new season already less than two months away, it’s pivotal that Leeds identify the right players to help bolster their ranks and have the best chance of survival.
Josh Sargent is a name that has entered the mix over the last couple of days, with the American international potentially costing around £17m after his record of 15 goals in 32 appearances this season.
Norwich striker Josh Sargent.
However, he’s not alone on their shortlist, with Fulham talisman Rodrigo Muniz also in their sights, that’s if Football Insider’s latest update is to be believed.
They claim that Farke’s side are preparing an opening offer for the Brazilian international, who registered eight goals in his 31 league appearances – only eight of which came from the start.
It also states that the 24-year-old is seen as an excellent option for the Whites this summer after his experience in the Premier League, but it’s unclear how much the Cottagers would demand for his signature.
Why Leeds’ latest target would be a better signing than Beto
In their attempts to bolster the attacking department this summer, numerous players have been mentioned as a potential option, with Everton’s Beto another player on their list.
Over the last couple of days, it was confirmed that the Whites still held a keen interest in the Guinea-Bissau talisman, who cost £30m back in the summer of 2023.
It remains unclear if David Moyes’ side would be willing to part ways with the 27-year-old forward, but Farke’s side are willing to pursue a move for his signature.
Like Muniz, he has the experience in England’s top flight that the hierarchy are looking for during the off-season, but it’s safe to say they should look past a move for the former Udinese star.
When comparing his figures from 2024/25 to those of the Fulham ace, he’s been outperformed in numerous key areas, with the Brazilian the man the hierarchy must pursue this summer.
Muniz, who’s been labelled “one of the best strikers in the Premier League” by teammate Willian Borges, has registered the same number of goals, but has managed a better minute per goal ratio – highlighting his clinical edge in attacking areas.
He’s also completed more passes and registered more passes into the final third, handing the opportunity for other attackers around him to bolster their own tallies.
Games played
31
30
Goals scored
8
8
Minutes per goal
120
191
Shot on target accuracy
49%
46%
Pass accuracy
65%
58%
Passes into the final third
1.2
0.4
Aerials won
52%
48%
Fouls drawn
2.9
1.3
The Brazilian’s dominance doesn’t end there, winning more aerial duels and drawing more fouls, offering Farke an all-round option within the final third in their attempts to secure survival.
Given their hunt for a new talisman, it’s crucial that the hierarchy land the right player to give themselves the best possible chance of retaining their top-flight status.
Big money will likely be splashed given how expensive players in the Premier League have become, with a move for Muniz needing to be the priority in the coming weeks.
The new Phillips: Leeds want to sign £15m star with "undeniable" potential
Leeds United are reportedly keen on a star who would be Daniel Farke’s own Kalvin Phillips.
Football might have come to a brief stop, but there is no rest for the wicked, and Arsenal have a potentially era-defining few months ahead of them.
To ensure they get over the line in the Premier League next season, Mikel Arteta and new Sporting Director Andrea Berta need to nail their transfer dealings, and if they can bring in Rodrygo, that’d be an excellent start.
The Real Madrid superstar has been linked with a £85m move to the Emirates on multiple occasions over the last few weeks, and the combination of his outlandish ability and stature in the game makes him someone who could really move the needle in the Gunners’ favour next year.
However, if recent reports are to be believed, the North Londoners could now be closing in on another attacking talent who’d be an even more exciting signing than the Brazilian international.
Arsenal transfer news
Given Arsenal’s position in English football and how close they seem to be to glory, it’s hardly been a surprise to see them linked with a plethora of incredibly exciting players in recent weeks, such as Bradley Barcola and Takefusa Kubo.
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The former could cost the club a whopping £101m this summer, which might be an eyewatering sum of money, but it might also be fair enough, as in 58 games for Paris Saint-Germain this season, he scored 21 goals and provided 19 assists.
Kubo would be a far cheaper option at around £50m, but he’s not been anywhere near as prolific as the Frenchman, racking up a reasonable but unspectacular haul of seven goals and four assists in 52 games.
Takefusa Kubo scores for Japan
However, while a wide player would be a welcome addition to the club, Arteta and Co’s priority has to be a new number nine, someone like Benjamin Sesko.
Fortunately, a recent report from Caught Offside has claimed that Arsenal have maintained their intense interest in the Slovenian striker.
In fact, on top of confirming that Berta has already held direct talks with RB Leipzig, the report has revealed that the Gunners are now among the frontrunners for the player, alongside London rivals Chelsea.
However, it won’t be a cheap deal complete; the report states that Leipzig want €80m for their star attacker, which is around £68m, and a fee Arsenal should pay, as not only would Sesko be an incredible signing, but a more exciting one than Rodrygo as well.
Why Sesko would be more exciting than Rodrygo
So the first thing to say is that Rodrygo would, in fact, be an incredibly exciting signing for Arsenal to make this summer. After all, he’s a Champions League and La Liga-winning winger who knows how to score a goal or two.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates
However, for our money, the “instinctive” Sesko, as dubbed by journalist Seb Stafford-Bloor, would be just that bit more exciting, and there are several reasons why.
The first is that, in signing him, Arteta and Co will finally be addressing the club’s longstanding need for an out-and-out striker, and more than that, he’d be coming in with a proven track record of scoring goals and providing assists.
For example, in the 22/23 campaign, he scored 18 goals and provided four assists in 41 appearances; last season, the Slovenian international scored 18 goals and provided two assists in 42 appearances, and then this year, the Leipzig star was able to rack up an impressive haul of 21 goals and six assists in 45 appearances, totalling 3258 minutes.
In other words, the Radeče-born “monster,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, averaged a goal involvement every 1.66 games, or every 120.66 minutes this season.
Appearances
45
50
Minutes
3258′
3290′
Goals
21
13
Assists
6
10
Goal Involvements per Match
0.6
0.46
Minutes per Goal Involvement
120.66′
143.04′
In contrast, the Real Madrid star scored 13 goals and provided ten assists in 50 appearances, totalling 3290 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.17 games, or every 143.04 minutes, in a far better team.
Finally, on top of his current ability in front of goal, the former Salzburg gem has received some rave reviews from scouts and analysts, with the respected EBL claiming he “has the potential to become the best #9 in the world” – which is also what makes him that bit more appealing than Viktor Gyokeres, another of the more heavily linked strikers in recent weeks.
He argues that this is down to the combination of him being “a 6’4 speed demon” who is “unstoppable in transition” and the fact “he can dribble”, all while also being “an elite ball-striker.”
That might sound hyperbolic, but a few of these strengths are on show in this goal, with him using his acceleration and mighty left foot – and you only need to look through some of his other goals to see his immense technical ability.
Ultimately, Arsenal need more than one attacking signing this summer, but from his goal tally this season to his potential and technical ability, Sesko would be the club’s most exciting addition.
Mega Martinelli upgrade: Arsenal eyeing £101m star with "devastating pace"
The sensational talent would be a real needle-mover for Arsenal.
Arsenal have asked about signing an “important” Real Madrid player amid their reliably reported talks for Brazil international Rodrygo, but negotiations over the latter are proving far from straightforward.
Rodrygo to Arsenal talks stall due to wage demands
As reported by Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, a very reliable source when it comes to transfer news, Arsenal have been in discussions with all parties over a summer deal for the 24-year-old.
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Rodrygo bagged 13 goals and 10 assists over 50 total appearances under Carlo Ancelotti during 2024/2025, but his future at the Bernabeu is far from certain amid Arsenal’s serious interest.
19/20 – winter
£0
20/21 – summer
£81.5m
20/21 – winter
£900k
21/22 – summer
£156.8m
21/22 – winter
£1.8m
22/23 – summer
£121.5m
22/23 – winter
£59m
23/24 – summer
£208m
23/24 – winter
£0
24/25 – summer
£101.5m
24/25 – winter
£0
It’s been reported that the South American is dissatisfied with his role in the squad, as he wants to be used in his preferred role on the left-hand-side rather than on the right, which is where he’s been forced to play due to the presence of Vinícius Jr and Kylian Mbappé (Ben Jacobs).
Sensing an opportunity, sporting director Andrea Berta commenced work to potentially tempt Rodrygo with a north London move, amid the club’s serious pursuit of a new winger who could provide further cutting edge in the final third.
However, since beginning talks, the transfer has hit a snag due to Rodrygo’s salary demands, prompting Berta to look at alternatives like Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma.
The Japan international isn’t Berta’s only different option for the wide area, though, with another Real Madrid star under consideration at the Emirates.
Arsenal ask about conditions for Arda Guler deal
That man is Turkish attacking midfielder Arda Guler, who started Real’s last six La Liga games of the season and gradually became a more imperative player for Ancelotti during the latter stages of 24/25.
The 20-year-old bagged five goals and nine assists in 42 total appearances by the end of Ancelotti’s final campaign in charge, with the Italian branding him an “important” player in the squad.
Ancelotti also tipped the versatile forward to have a big future at the Bernabeu, leaving little surprise he’s on Berta’s shortlist of attacking targets for Arsenal.
That is according to journalist Graeme Bailey, who reports for The Boot Room that Arsenal have asked about the conditions of a deal for Guler. Whether they’ve approached Real themselves or the player’s agents isn’t exactly stated, but it is believed Los Blancos won’t sell him under “any circumstances” this summer.
Other forwards attracting Berta’s attention come in the form of Nico Williams, Rafael Leao, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho, Ademola Lookman, Bryan Mbeumo and Mohammed Kudus, as per TBR, with Arsenal seemingly in hot pursuit of a star new wide player.