Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk’s future is still a major talking point at Anfield and now an important new update has emerged courtesy of the Dutchman himself.
Van Dijk's future up in the air as Liverpool fall at Fulham
The 33-year-old has enjoyed an all-conquering season at the heart of the Reds’ defence, made even more impressive by the fact that his contract situation has created endless column inches.
Van Dijk’s current Liverpool deal expires at the end of the campaign, and despite seemingly appearing happy at Liverpool, he is yet to sign an extension, nor have there been any truly concrete reports of a deal being close.
Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool
On Sunday, the Reds legend produced arguably his poorest performance of the season so far, making mistakes and being out muscled by Rodrigo Muniz for Fulham’s third goal in their 3-2 victory in the Premier League at Craven Cottage.
Van Dijk seemed strangely off the boil throughout, with This Is Anfield‘s James Nalton giving him a negative assessment in his player ratings, saying: “Muniz outmanoeuvred him with a great touch for Fulham’s third goal as a below-par spell of form continued for Van Dijk as well as Konate.
“He helped out his centre-back partner following the early error, but was himself at fault later on. Improved once Liverpool went all-out-attack, and there are few defenders you’d trust more to defend on their own in such a scenario, but the damage had already been done.”
Audio tape of Van Dijk speaking about Liverpool contract talks
On Monday, reliable reporter Lewis Steele shared the audio of what Van Dijk has said about his Liverpool future, with the centre-back admitting “there is progress” on the situation, adding that “internal discussions” are continuing as he spoke with reporters in the mixed zone at Craven Cottage.
Van Dijk is clearly still remaining relatively coy about what will happen next, but it is still encouraging to hear that some progress has been made, especially with Trent Alexander-Arnold potentially off to Real Madrid this summer.
If Liverpool only lost one of their captain, vice-captain and Mohamed Salah, it may be an outcome that supporters would just about accept, and at this point, it might be considered a shock if Van Dijk leaves.
Appearances
31
Starts
31
Minutes played
2790
Goals
1
Assists
1
Clearances per game
5.1
Aerial duel wins per game
3.2
Pass completion rate
91.6%
While his last few performances haven’t been his best – he was lucky not to gift Beto a goal in the Reds’ 1-0 win at home to Everton last week – he has still enjoyed an exceptional season, and remains arguably the world’s leading centre-back.
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Losing him this summer would be an almighty blow to anyone of a Liverpool persuasion, not least Arne Slot, and the hope is that an agreement is reached as soon as possible.
Manchester United are now in talks to sign a “world-class” striker, and they could use a first-team star as a makeweight in the negotiations, according to a report.
Man Utd's striker targets
It is becoming increasingly clear that Man United will pursue a new striker in the summer transfer window, given that Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have just six goals between them in the Premier League this season.
The Red Devils have set their sights on a number of the Premier League’s best strikers, recently making contact over Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha, whose agent is set to fly to England to continue discussions.
Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap is United’s top target, however, with the Englishman potentially set to be available on the cheap in the summer, given that his side are almost certain to be relegated to the Championship.
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Delap may be the priority target from within England, but there have also been reports that Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is at the top of Ruben Amorim’s list, with the Nigerian set to leave the Italian club at the end of the season.
According to a report from Italy (via Sport Witness), Man United are now in talks to seal a deal for Osimhen, who has a €70m (£60m) release clause in his contract, which is only available to clubs outside of Italy.
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhencelebrates scoring a goal that was later disallowed
United are in discussions over a £60m agreement, but Hojlund is expected to be used as a makeweight in negotiations, so it is unclear how much money they will be putting on the table alongside the Dane, who would clear over £4m-a-year off their books in wages.
Juventus are also in the race for Osimhen, but they are unwilling to meet his high wage demands, and the fact the release clause doesn’t apply to Italian clubs could also pose an issue.
"World-class" Osimhen could be huge upgrade on Hojlund
The Nigeria international has been lauded as “world-class” by football writer Matt Barlow, and for good reason, having maintained a fantastic goalscoring record for both Napoli and Galatasaray over the past few seasons.
Season
Appearances
Goals
2022-23
39
31
2023-24
32
17
2024-25
32
28
Hojlund, on the other hand, has struggled in front of goal for quite some time, averaging just 0.38 goals per 90 over the past year, which places him in the 54th percentile, when compared to his positional peers.
It would be a shame to see the 22-year-old exit Old Trafford, given that he is still young, and as pointed out by Amorim, the lack of goals is a collective problem.
However, if using Hojlund in negotiations helps get a deal for Osimhen over the line, Man United should not hesitate.
Nottingham Forest have now joined the race for a “fantastic” forward, who is also wanted by Premier League rivals Manchester United and Manchester City, according to a report.
Forest set sights on new winger
The calibre of player Forest are able to attract will depend heavily on whether they are able to achieve their dream of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, but they have now started to identify some top-level targets in wide areas.
One such player is Marseille star Luis Henrique, with the Tricky Trees making contact to discuss a move to the City Ground with the Brazilian’s agents, although there could be competition from Newcastle United and Inter Milan.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are also plotting to hijack West Ham United’s move for Galatasaray winger Baris Alper Yilmaz, with the 24-year-old set to leave the Turkish club at the end of the season, amid widespread interest in his services.
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He has been described as an “absolute hero”.
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Another winger who is attracting a lot of attention is Feyenoord’s Anis Hadj Moussa, with a report from France revealing the 23-year-old is now in Nottingham Forest’s sights ahead of a potential summer transfer swoop, but they are not alone in the race.
Man United and Man City are also eyeing a move for Moussa, so there could be fierce competition for his signature at the end of the campaign, with Lille also expressing an interest during the January transfer window.
Feyenoord'sAnisHadjMoussacelebrates scoring their third goal
The Tricky Trees are yet to make any formal moves to sign the Feyenoord forward, and it is unlikely they make an approach until they seal Champions League qualification, which will provide Nuno with extra funds for the summer transfer window.
That said, a move is unlikely to break the bank regardless, given that previous reports have revealed that a deal could be possible for a fee of just £10m.
"Fantastic" Moussa impressing in the Netherlands
It has been an impressive debut campaign with Feyenoord for the 23-year-old, having been lauded as “fantastic” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig earlier this season, given his exploits in front of goal.
The Algeria international, who has been compared to both Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Ododi, as per FBref, has six goals and two assists to his name in the Eredivisie, while he has also bagged three goals in the Champions League, indicating he is the calibre of player Forest will need to bring in this summer ahead of a potential European campaign.
Kulig has also dubbed the Paris-born winger “one of Europe’s most pleasant surprises”, and his performances for Feyenoord this season indicate he could now be ready to make the step-up to the Premier League.
As such, it is exciting news that Forest could be in the race for Moussa’s signature this summer, at which point they will need to strengthen their squad depth, should they secure European qualification.
Sheffield United know their hopes of promotion to the Premier League hang in the balance, but Chris Wilder is already hard at work on the transfer front ahead of this summer.
Sheffield United's transfer activity hinges on season outcome
The Championship is famous for twists and turns, which is a statement that rang true yesterday after an eventful afternoon left the Blades second in the league standings following a 1-0 loss to Oxford United.
Burnley claimed three points away to Coventry City, while Leeds United actually gained a point on Sheffield United despite only mustering a draw against Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
Most importantly, Wilder can take solace in the fact his side are still on course for automatic promotion with five matches left to play. Millwall await at Bramall Lane on Tuesday, offering a chance to take a step closer to the promised land of the Premier League.
What does the current state of limbo mean for Sheffield United’s transfer business? Not much apparently, with the Blades seeking a deal for Sunderland defender Daniel Ballard to strengthen a backline that has been altered since Harry Souttar’s long-term injury.
Elfsborg defender Terry Yegbe is also on the radar in South Yorkshire, even if the Allsvenskan outfit want to recoup a fee of £5.9 million for his services.
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Reading between the lines, solidifying across the rearguard appears to be a central priority for Wilder regardless of what division his side end up in next campaign.
Looking ahead to the window, the 57-year-old has a goalkeeper in his sights that has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence over the last year, per recent developments.
Sheffield United eye move to sign Barnsley goalkeeper Kieren Flavell
According to The Daily Star, Sheffield United are keen to sign goalkeeper Kieren Flavell from Yorkshire rivals Barnsley. He started the campaign on loan at Farsley Celtic before returning to feature at first-team level in League One.
Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion are also interested in the Pontefract-born stopper and the former has sent scouts to watch him on several occasions.
Kieren Flavell’s combined statistics in National League North and League One – 2024/25
Appearances
17
Clean sheets
1
Goals conceded
40
Tipped for a promising future in the game, the 21-year-old has previously been labelled “brilliant” by Conor Hourihane after his performance in Barnsley’s 1-1 draw with Cambridge United last month.
Jackson Smith and loanee Joe Gauci’s injury problems could afford the youngster an extended run between the sticks at Oakwell; something that is only likely to accelerate his development amid the backdrop of high-profile clubs showing admiration towards his talent.
From a Sheffield United perspective, he would likely be billed as one for the future behind Michael Cooper and Adam Davies. Nevertheless, learning from two experienced numbers one’s is the ideal scenario for the youngster as he aims to establish himself at a high level in years to come.
Liverpool have reportedly “identified” a “fantastic” replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer, with the player in question excelling in the Premier League this season.
Trent's Liverpool future still unknown
With Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk tied down to their respective new two-year deals in recent weeks, Reds supporters have been able to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
That said, there are still huge doubts surrounding the future of Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool, with the vice-captain heavily linked with a move from his boyhood club to Real Madrid.
Liverpool'sTrentAlexander-Arnoldapplauds fans after the match
The fact that the 26-year-old has done little to play down the rumours at any point suggests that his head may well have been turned by a high-profile summer switch to the Santiago Bernabeu, in a decision that would have the potential to harm his legacy at Anfield.
If Alexander-Arnold does leave Liverpool this summer, it is vital that a top-quality replacement comes in, with SC Freiburg’s Kiliann Sildillia mentioned as a target. Bayer Leverkusen ace Jeremie Frimpong has also been backed to join the Reds, having shone under Xabi Alonso for the reigning Bundesliga champions.
Liverpool eyeing "fantastic" Trent replacement
According to an update from Caught Offside on Sunday, Liverpool have “identified” Nottingham Forest right-back Ola Aina as a new target and option to replace Alexander-Arnold at the end of the season, assuming he leaves.
The 28-year-old has shone for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side throughout the 2024/25 campaign, proving to be a key player in their push for unlikely Champions League qualification.
Ola Aina with Chris Wood for Nottingham Forest.
The £40,000-a-week Aina is a strong option for Liverpool alongside the likes of Sildillia and Frimpong this summer, with his performances for Forest showing what an asset he could be.
The Nigerian has averaged 2.9 clearances and 0.4 aerial duel wins per game in the Premier League across 30 appearances, which is superior to Alexander-Arnold’s tallies in that area, as the table below illustrates.
Appearances
30
28
Starts
30
26
Minutes played
2575
2158
Goals
2
2
Assists
1
6
Clearances per game
2.9
1.6
Aerial duel wins per game
0.4
0.1
Interceptions per game
1.0
1.1
Aina has also been lauded for one attacking moment of quality earlier this season, with Glenn Murray full of praise for his goal against Aston Villa:
“Sometimes when you come on to a shot like that the temptation can be to leather the ball with your laces. But, it’s a side foot, it’s controlled and it’s a fantastic finish, it really is.”
At 28, Aina is two years older than Alexander-Arnold, however, and wouldn’t necessarily represent a long-term option for Liverpool, which is arguably the biggest negative against them signing him.
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The Reds would arguably be wiser to look at younger targets, such as those mentioned above, allowing them to sign someone with more scope to improve as the years pass.
Arsenal have made contact with a potentially low-cost striker option who’s scored north of 170 career goals, with new sporting director Andrea Berta registering serious intent already ahead of his first summer at the club.
Andrea Berta's rumoured striker targets for Arsenal
One of Berta’s key items on the agenda is signing a prolific new striker.
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Their need for a proven goalscorer was evident before Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were sidelined with long-term injuries, but their absences have left it beyond all doubt, with Mikel Arteta even forced to use midfielder Mikel Merino as an emergency makeshift striker over the last few weeks.
Ipswich Town (away)
April 20th
Crystal Palace (home)
April 23rd
Bournemouth (home)
May 3rd
Liverpool (away)
May 11th
Newcastle United (home)
May 18th
Truth be told, the Spain international has done very well – scoring four in his last eight Premier League games and helping to bury Real Madrid in Europe – but Merino is hardly a long-term solution going forward.
Instead, Arsenal are developing a serious interest in Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, who’s bagged a pretty incredible 47 goals in his last 46 matches across all competitions, not to mention a further 11 assists.
These numbers, combined with the intense competition for his services from Arsenal’s rivals, mean Sporting will demand a package of up to £60 million with additional add-ons to let him leave (Fabrizio Romano).
Berta is said to be a fan of Gyokeres, while it is reported elsewhere that Newcastle star Alexander Isak is a “dream” signing for Arsenal, with a move for the Swede looking far too difficult to pull off in terms of price.
RB Leipzig starlet Benjamin Sesko is another striker on Arsenal’s target list, despite their failed bid to sign the Slovenian in 2024 (Fabrizio Romano), and they internally discussed the possibility of striking a deal in January.
All these names will come at a premium, especially when factoring in the overall costs, including wages, commission fees and signing bonuses.
Arsenal make contact with Lille star Jonathan David
Bearing this in mind, journalist Graeme Bailey is reporting for The Boot Room that Arsenal are throwing their hat in the race for out-of-contract Lille star Jonathan David.
It is quite surprising that no elite side has taken the plunge with David yet, considering just how incredible he’s been for Lille over the last few seasons, but it is now a matter of time before he seals his big move.
Lille'sJonathanDavidcelebrates scoring their first goal with Edon Zhegrov
The Canada international is set to leave on a Bosman this summer, and Arsenal held initial talks with David’s representatives in their pursuit of a striker.
The 25-year-old, who’s racked up a grand total of 176 career goals for club and country combined, is also a big-game player. David boasts seven strikes from his 10 Champions League outings this term, scoring against the likes of Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, Juventus, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, so notions he can only score in an inferior division have been put to bed.
Despite being a free agent, he could still set Arsenal back around £28 million, including his yearly demands, signing-on fee and additional commission fees (Sacha Tavolieri), but this is still far cheaper than some of Berta’s other striker targets.
During Chris Wilder’s two stints as manager of Sheffield United, he’s had some fantastic players at his disposal.
From goalscoring hero Billy Sharp to the likes of John Egan and John Fleck.
Serge Aurier and John Fleck battle for the ball.
Fleck, a free transfer from Coventry City in the summer of 2016, was a rather understated at the time but quickly became a mainstay in many a Blades lineup with United jumping all the way up from League One to the top-flight under Wilder.
John Fleck's heroics at Sheffield United
It all began with that free-kick against Sheffield Wednesday in the Steel City derby in 2017. Since that moment, he became a firm fan favourite at Bramall Lane.
Fleck quickly turned into a Premier League capable performer at Bramall Lane, with the now 33-year-old ace going on to immortalise himself as a United great across a hefty 278 appearances.
The Glasgow-born ace would effectively become an honourary citizen of the Steel City by the time of his exit to Blackburn Rovers last year, having tallied up a mighty impressive 16 strikes and 48 assists across those games, culminating in two promotions also coming his way.
Many players in Wilder’s camp now will be hoping they can follow in the footsteps of the former number four, with Fleck managing to end his long-standing association with the Blades by notching up a fine nine top-flight goal contributions.
John Fleck
In particular, one holding midfielder – the same role Fleck regularly lined up in – will be taking direct inspiration from the now Chesterfield man.
Wilder's new Fleck at Sheffield United
Originally hailing from Enfield, United number 42 Sydie Peck might not have expected Sheffield to become his permanent footballing home during the early days of his playing career.
But, the emerging talent has now become a first-team regular under Wilder this campaign and for good reason, with his full-blooded yet composed displays centrally meaning his senior minutes have rightly been bumped up.
Games played
35
Games started
26
Goals scored
0
Assists
1
Touches*
48.8
Accurate passes*
29.9 (82%)
Big chances created
4
Duels won*
3.7
Whilst he isn’t anywhere near Fleck’s creative best just yet, Peck has shown signs of promise in an attacking capacity, considering this is his first daunting senior season with the side, resulting in four big chances being created away from his singular assist.
Despite deficiences being present in his growing game, Peck is slowly but surely becoming a fan’s favourite at the Championship high-flyers, with one Blades based content creator in Nick Ingood even heralding the 5 foot 8 engine as a “superstar” off the back of another well-rounded display against Coventry to close out March.
It will be up to Peck to deal with the harsh step-up in quality if Premier League action returns to the red and white half of Sheffield, but if he is aiming to follow Fleck’s upward trajectory, he should be able to deal with the gulf in class in his stride.
After all, the four-time England U20 international – who has been further lauded as “outstanding” by his passionate head coach – already has a Premier League appearance next to his name, with the potential here for Peck to become United’s next modern hero in the middle like Fleck.
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When Tottenham Hotspur appointed Ange Postecoglou in the summer of 2023, there was a fair amount of scepticism.
However, that quickly subsided as, following a ten-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League, the club were sitting in first and playing the best football in the country.
However, things started to go wrong around Christmas, and by the end of the season, the club had only just about qualified for the Europa League.
This year has been magnitudes worse, as while there is still a chance of silverware on the continent, Postecoglou has overseen 18 defeats in the league, and there’s a genuine chance the club will finish in 17th place.
So, it’s hardly a surprise that there has been a marked increase in reports linking the club with a new manager in recent weeks, and one of the most recent has touted a Premier League boss who could be the perfect upgrade.
Tottenham's manager search
Before getting to the manager in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other names that have been thrown in the ring of late.
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For example, a report from the Mail Online earlier this week claimed that, regardless of what happens in the Europa League, the club are likely to sack Postecoglou at the end of the season and have identified Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola as potential replacements.
The former has been a known quantity in England for quite some time now, managing Hull City and Everton before taking the job at Fulham, but it’s been with the Cottagers that he’s really caught the eye, as he’s turned them into a comfortable mid-table side.
Iraola, on the other hand, is still relatively new to English football, having only taken the Bournemouth job last season. Still, in a short space of time, he’s taken the club from relegation candidates to European hopefuls.
Another relatively new face the North Londoners are looking at is Oliver Glasner.
Crystal Palace manager OliverGlasnerbefore the match
Yes, according to a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, the Austrian coach has been spoken about at Tottenham as a ‘credible’ option to take over from Postecoglou in the summer.
It might not be the big name some were hoping for, but Glasner has proved himself in Germany and has turned things around at Crystal Palace as well, so could be the ideal upgrade on the Australian.
Why Glasner would be a great appointment
So, before examining his record against Postecoglou’s, let’s examine the headline arguments for why Glasner would be a great hire.
The first is that, while he’s not as gung-ho as the Australian, he does like his team to play an exciting and attacking style of football with a focus on explosiveness and dynamism.
For example, according to The Athletic, one of his first instructions upon arriving at Selhurst Park last year was that the players needed to sprint far more.
As a result, the team went from below the league average for high-speed running and sprinting distance per game last season to fourth and sixth in the league, respectively, this year.
Then, in terms of formation, he prefers to play a 3-4-2-1, which could suit players like Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie in the wingback positions, as well as James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, who could start as the two inside tens.
Finally, away from tactics, he has experience of winning big prizes, as he led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022.
With all that said, how does the “incredible” manager, as dubbed by content creator James B, stack up to Postecoglou in their current jobs?
Well, even though he has what many would consider to be a weaker squad, he’s done far better, winning 25 games, drawing 15, losing 15 and earning 1.64 points per game.
Games
55
93
Wins
25
44
Draws
15
13
Losses
15
36
Points per Game
1.64
1.56
In contrast, the former Celtic boss has won 44 games, drawn 13, lost 36 and picked up on average just 1.56 points per game.
Ultimately, from tactics and philosophy to on-pitch results, Glasner looks to be a clear upgrade on Postecoglou, so Spurs should do what they can to bring him in this summer.
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Chelsea still have plenty to play for over the next two months as they fight to end the 2024/25 campaign with a trophy to show for their efforts on the pitch.
The Blues have one foot in the semi-finals of the Conference League after they travelled to Poland to hammer Legia Warsaw 3-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final clash on Thursday evening.
Tyrique George opened the scoring, with his first senior goal for the club, and Noni Madueke scored twice to secure a comfortable victory for Enzo Maresca’s side.
The Blues will be hoping to win their first Conference League trophy to claim a piece of silverware in the manager’s first season at the club, whilst also attempting to qualify for the Champions League.
Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League and now know that the top five in the division will qualify for Europe’s premier cup competition, which means that they are in a great position at this moment in time.
Despite the fact that it could be a successful end to the season, the Blues are reportedly active in the market ahead of the summer – with Liam Delap one player who is of interest to the London giants.
Why Chelsea want to sign Liam Delap
It was recently reported that Chelsea are serious about a deal to sign the England U21 international, and that they have already opened talks to snap him up from Ipswich Town.
The 22-year-old striker is set to be relegated to the Championship with the Tractor Boys, who are 12 points adrift with seven matches left to play, and the Blues could take advantage of that to bring the forward to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Ipswich Town'sLiamDelapapplauds fans after the match
Despite Ipswich’s struggles in the Premier League this season, the former Manchester City centre-forward has proven his ability to find the back of the net on a regular basis.
He has scored 12 goals in 30 appearances in the division, despite his team having only scored 31 times in 31 games in the league, and outscored current Chelsea number nine Nicolas Jackson.
As you can see in the graphic above, Delap has been significantly more clinical with the ‘big chances’ that have come his way than Jackson has for the Blues this term.
This may be why Chelsea are interested in signing the English youngster when the summer transfer window opens for business later this year, because he could improve the team’s ruthlessness in the final third.
The Blues, however, have now been linked with interest in a player who could be a even better signing than Delap from another Premier League team.
Chelsea have made contact to sign Premier League star
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, Chelsea are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign central defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The report claims that Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Liverpool are the other Premier League sides keen on a swoop for the Spain international, who has caught the eye with the Cherries this season.
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It states that all four of those clubs, as well as Chelsea, have made contact with the player’s representatives to see where his head is at ahead of the summer.
Ornstein’s report adds that the Spanish centre-back has a £50m release clause in his current contract with Bournemouth, which would allow teams to snap him up without having to have drawn out discussions with his club.
It reveals that the Cherries and Huijsen both want a transfer, or for him to commit to staying at the Vitality, as early as possible in the window, to avoid any late drama.
This means that Chelsea could get a deal for the young central defender wrapped up early, allowing them to focus on other positions later i the window.
Why Huijsen would be a better signing than Delap
Whilst Delap would be an excellent addition to the squad, for the reasons mentioned earlier, Huijsen would be an even better signing for the Blues for several reasons.
Firstly, the Spanish colossus is three years younger than the Ipswich sensation and this means that Chelsea could get more out of him in the long-term, assuming both players are successful and go on to be long-serving performers at Stamford Bridge.
AFC Bournemouth's DeanHuijsenduring the warm up before the match
Secondly, Huijsen is already accustomed to playing in a team that wins games fairly regularly, as Bournemouth are tenth in the division and have won 12 and lost ten. This means that he could hit the ground running for the Blues in a team that is on the front foot and expected to perform well as a team.
Whereas, Ipswich have only won four of their 31 matches and this means that Delap has often been chasing long balls or trying to fashion chances for himself against the run of play, which would be completely different to the way that Chelsea play with their possession-based football under Maresca.
That is not to say that the English ace could not adapt to the new style, but it suggests that Huijsen is less of a gamble and has a greater chance of hitting the ground running.
Delap is also yet to show that he can create chances for his teammates on a consistent basis, with 0.7 key passes per game, three ‘big chances’ created, and just two assists in 30 league matches.
Whereas, Huijsen, who football talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed as “extremely dominant”, has excelled at both parts of the game in his respective position at centre-back, by offering consistent quality in and out of possession.
24/25 Premier League
Dean Huijsen (per 90)
Percentile rank vs CBs
Non-penalty goals
0.09
Top 10%
Shot-creating actions
1.64
Top 5%
Progressive passes
4.49
Top 20%
Progressive carries
1.45
Top 8%
Blocks
1.50
Top 25%
Interceptions
2.10
Top 1%
Clearances
6.78
Top 4%
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Spain international ranks incredibly highly among his positional peers when it comes to progressing play to create chances in possession, whilst also being an outstanding defender who is typically in the right place at the right time to make vital interceptions and clearances.
This suggests that there are not many, if any, flaws in the 19-year-old star’s game, whilst there does seem to still be some gaps in Delap’s development, and that is why he could be an even better addition than the England U21 international.
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Apr 7, 2025
The Blues could bolster their squad by signing both of these young talents in the summer transfer window, but – for the reasons listed here – Huijsen should be their top priority.
Newcastle United are planning talks with a “scary” attacking player ahead of a potential move to St James’ Park this summer, according to a new update.
Newcastle plan transfers in line with Champions League push
The Magpies picked up three more important points in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, easing to a relatively straightforward 3-0 win at home to Ipswich Town despite a slow start to the match.
While Newcastle’s season hasn’t always been perfect, winning the EFL Cup was a huge moment in the club’s long history, and qualifying for the Champions League would be another significant achievement for Eddie Howe and his players.
The Magpies sit third in the Premier League table with four matches remaining, and while Nottingham Forest will overtake them if they win their game in hand this week, they are still in a wonderful position to finish in the top five.
Newcastle’s remaining matches are taxing, however, with a crucial home clash with Chelsea on the horizon, as well as trips to both Brighton and Arsenal, so there is still plenty of work to do in the coming weeks. Being in the Champions League will help them attract top names to the club, and one such player has been mentioned as a summer target.
Newcastle planning talks to sign "scary" attacker
According to Caught Offside, Newcastle and Paul Mitchell plan to hold talks with Ademola Lookman over a move to the club, as they look to entice the Nigerian away from Serie A side Atalanta.
The 27-year-old has plenty of potential suitors, however, with new Premier League champions Liverpool mentioned as an option, and Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all in the mix, too. While Juventus also get a mention, they are unlikely to be able to afford the £55m being demanded for his signature.
Atalanta's Ademola Lookman in action with AC Milan'sEmersonRoyal
Lookman could be a brilliant signing for Newcastle ahead of next season, hopefully coming in as competition for Alexander Isak, rather than a replacement for him, The former Everton man has scored 50 times for Atalanta, including 18 goals this season, and the best moment of his career to date was a memorable hat-trick in last season’s Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Lookman has been described as “scary in tight spaces” by Tuttosport, while Gian Piero Gasperini has hailed him as “truly extraordinary” and “among the best” there is in the world currently. Indeed, he has been somewhat of a late bloomer, going from failed Everton flop to emerging as a truly top player in Europe now at the age of 27.
Attacking reinforcements are a must for Newcastle in the summer, with more firepower required after arguably too much pressure on Isak’s shoulders this season, and the Atalanta ace could be a perfect addition, given he would also provide depth on both wings.
Romano: Newcastle "keen on signing" £70m "tank" with same agent as Gordon
They’ve wanted him for ages.
ByBarney Lane Apr 27, 2025
The Nigeria international has Premier League experience, making 96 appearances in the competition, and he is at a great age to come in and be a star man for the Magpies straight away.