Vesper 30,195 Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Arsenal’s Gyokeres interest: The impact on Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Isak and Sesko https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6244877/2025/04/01/viktor-gyokeres-arsenal-transfer-manchester-united-liverpool-Chelsea-latest/ The striker market is one of the key areas of interest for Premier League sides ahead of the summer transfer window. Several of the biggest clubs in the English top flight want a new striker — including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. Liverpool might also want to bring in a new No 9 — although they are not just targeting an elite player in that position. On Sunday, The Athletic’s David Ornstein and James McNicholas reported Arsenal were developing a strong interest in Viktor Gyokeres. They have done work on other strikers too, while Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of Alexander Isak. So what knock-on impact does Arsenal’s interest in Gyokeres have on the rest of the market? Is he their only option? Who will other teams go for? And who are the strikers to keep an eye on in the coming window? The Athletic’s experts — James McNicholas, Laurie Whitwell, Simon Johnson, James Pearce and Sebastian Stafford-Bloor — have taken a look below. Why is Gyokeres the subject of Arsenal’s interest? Arsenal’s need for a centre-forward is well-known — and, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus currently sidelined through injury — glaringly obvious. They have followed a number of potential targets over the past 18 months, most recently engaging with Aston Villa in talks for Ollie Watkins in January. Their interest in Gyokeres has, until now, been somewhat lukewarm. With the arrival of Andrea Berta as sporting director, however, that appears set to change. Berta is a longstanding admirer of Gyokeres and it is expected the 26-year-old Sweden international will figure prominently among the names Arsenal consider this summer. James McNicholas What You Should Read Next Would Viktor Gyokeres be a good fit for Arsenal? Aside from the mind-boggling goal tally, the Sweden striker occupies defenders and tends to make something out of nothing single-handedly What about Sesko or Isak? There is no doubt about Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice for the centre-forward position: he wants Alexander Isak. There is however an acceptance at Arsenal that reaching a deal with a reluctant Newcastle United may prove impossible. Arteta is a fan of Isak (Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images) Sesko, 21, is another name Arsenal are strongly considering. They have followed his development closely and were interested last summer, until the Slovenian international decided to sign a new contract with RB Leipzig. Arsenal have continued to watch his progress, with a view to possibly reigniting their interest this summer, although there are reservations about his readiness to make an immediate impact in the Premier League. With Berta now installed alongside Arteta, Arsenal’s key decision-makers must try to find a consensus on a potential new striker. James McNicholas What is Manchester United’s stance given their interest in Gyokeres? The link between Gyokeres and United is clear given Ruben Amorim’s position as head coach at Old Trafford. Amorim got Gyokeres firing in Portugal with a system that suits him. But talk of a reunion has been tepid at United because of the cost it would take to get him from Sporting CP and then pay commensurate wages. Gyokeres is 27 in June, and United might look to go a shade younger. Other options, such as Liam Delap, are already being explored. Laurie Whitwell Who might they go for instead? As mentioned, Delap, who turned 22 in February, holds an appeal for United because of his age and the prospect of recruiting him from Ipswich Town in the event of their relegation. Technical director Jason Wilcox is a fan, having worked with Delap at Manchester City’s academy, and Delap’s record of 10 goals and two assists in the Premier League this season has strengthened his profile. Sesko fits their profile and United have tracked him since 2018. They held talks for him in 2022, but did not feel he was ready for a starring role at Old Trafford, and then tried again last year only for him to sign a new contract. United’s tight budget is a major factor in any options, including Victor Osimhen, whose wages would be an obstacle. Some kind of swap deal might make that deal more financially palatable, with Napoli holding an interest in Alejandro Garnacho. Laurie Whitwell And what about Sesko? Are Chelsea an option? Yes. Chelsea first became interested in Sesko three years ago and have been following his progress closely ever since. While he was on their radar in 2022, Chelsea decided he was still a bit too raw and he already had an agreement in place to join RB Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg anyway. Sesko then showed his commitment to RB Leipzig, and desire to continue his development in the Bundesliga, by signing a new contract last June. Chelsea went on to consider other names such as Samu Omorodion, Osimhen and Jhon Duran but the only striker who joined was teenager Marc Guiu from Barcelona for €6million. Recruiting a centre forward is regarded as a key part of their transfer plans for the summer and the club have been working on a wishlist of possible names for months. Chelsea believe they will have the funds available to make a major acquisition in this department, especially as they plan to sell several players who are no longer wanted at Stamford Bridge. Simon Johnson Sesko is an option for Chelsea (Maja Hitij/Getty Images) Is he their priority this summer? Sesko is certainly one of five or six options the club are looking at. The Slovenia international turns 22 in May so certainly fits right into the age bracket (18-25) Chelsea prefer to recruit in. But he is not the only centre forward they are considering. For example, Chelsea also admire Jonathan David (whose contract is up at Lille this summer) and 22-year-old Ipswich striker Delap, who has impressed in his first full Premier League season in a struggling side. Delap also worked under current Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca and co-director of recruitment and talent Joe Shields while at Manchester City’s academy. Simon Johnson Liverpool would have to pay a lot for Isak, is that feasible? It depends on the numbers involved. The club’s senior recruitment figures certainly admire Isak but it’s highly unlikely that Liverpool would agree to pay £150m for him. Liverpool recently announced a £57m pre-tax loss for 2023-24 and although their financial situation is now much healthier following their return to the Champions League, they are expected to spread their resources around this summer rather than focus on one marquee signing. Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid and they are still awaiting clarity over the futures of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who are nearing the end of their current contracts. With reinforcements needed in other departments, Liverpool aren’t just targeting an elite No 9. James Pearce Would they have to move other players on to do that? Yes, to make room in Arne Slot’s squad and generate funds. The most likely attacker to depart this summer is Darwin Nunez. There was interest in the Uruguay international from the Saudi Pro League in January but Liverpool wouldn’t entertain a sale because they were determined to keep the squad together as they closed in on Premier League title glory. With Nunez down the pecking order at Anfield, a move might suit all parties come the summer. If they could get between £60m-£70m from Saudi Arabia for the former Benfica man that would be a significant windfall to put towards buying a replacement. James Pearce What You Should Read Next Liverpool’s No 9 transfer options: Analysing Isak, Sesko, David and more A new striker feels key to Liverpool's prospects but what does Arne Slot want from the role and who could fit the profile? Who are the other strikers to keep an eye on this summer? Lois Openda, who has played with Sesko for the past two years in Leipzig, might get a move. At 25, Openda is older and his stock is not as high — he is not as rounded as Sesko nor as formidably built. His 2024-25 season — featuring eight goals in 26 Bundesliga appearances — highlights a less-than-prolific year. Nevertheless, his skill, speed, strength on the ball and goalscoring instinct will surely attract plenty of clubs, even if his price tag — around €80m — will be a deterrent. Mainz’s Jonathan Burkardt (15 goals) should be on plenty of radars. Burkardt is more of a pressing forward and a real asset off the ball, but the quality of his finishing has taken him all the way to the German national team. He is a counter-puncher. Mainz subsist on speed and transition, meaning that it’s difficult to know how he might cope against a deep block, or within a side that plays at a slower pace. Burkardt should be on plenty of radars (Alex Grimm/Getty Images) Nick Woltemade (nine goals) from Stuttgart is lots of fun. At first glance, the 23-year-old’s size can make him seem clumsy, but while there is plenty of force to his game, there’s craft, too. He is technical and can beat defenders one-on-one, but he’s thoughtful as well and creative in what he does with the ball. Think of the way a young Harry Kane played under Mauricio Pochettino between 2014 and 2016; Woltemade may not be headed for the same level, but he is not dissimilar. And there’s Hugo Ekitike (13 goals) from Eintracht Frankfurt too. Ekitike is outrageously gifted and an absolute menace in an Eintracht team that likes to break forward at speed and put their attacking players into space. He has a wonderful first touch — see the sequence of play that forced Stuttgart’s Ameen Al-Dakhil into a professional foul on Saturday night — and his feet are quick enough to manufacture shooting angles under almost any circumstances. A brilliant player in the making and, as a reflection of that, he will be going nowhere for anything less than €80m this summer. So, one for the Champions League sides perhaps. The other one worth highlighting is a bit of a wildcard: Wolfsburg’s Mohamed Amoura. Amoura is on loan from Union Saint-Gilloise, but that will become permanent this summer and he may well move again. He has been outstanding in his first season in Germany. Small, diminutive, but dynamic and absolutely brilliant at times — a goal and a creative threat, albeit probably more as a wide forward than a traditional No 9. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor Are any of those ready for a Premier League breakout? An interesting question, because they are all such different players — and you could make a case for any of them being a success in the right situation. In the short term, Openda would probably be the safest bet and the player most likely to score goals immediately. His 2024-25 has not been good, but the same is true for plenty of other Leipzig players and given that the club have just dismissed head coach Marco Rose, perhaps that poor form can be partially excused. Over the medium or longer term, though, Eikitike is the most talented player on the list and — with the opportunity to acclimatise over a season or two — would produce a higher dividend and become more valuable. Sebastian Stafford-Bloor What You Should Read Next Lois Openda interview: ‘I want to be a top player. RB Leipzig can help me get there’ Openda's career path has been well mapped out and, having joined from Lens, the Belgian has made a fine impression to date with RB Leipzig Stats 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper 30,195 Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Murillo is a top 10 on the planet CB IMHO my top 10 (listed in order of valuation) Alessandro Bastoni William Saliba Gabriel Magalhães Ruben Dias (has been a bit meh this season) Pau Cubarsí (2 and a half months ago he was still 17yo, lolol) Murillo Ronald Araujo (still not 100 per cent post injury) Marquinhos Virgil van Dijk Antonio Rüdiger 11 & 12 Bremer (injured) Micky van de Ven (just came back from a long injury) Dean Huijsen is already in the top 20 as a 19yo IMHO Fernando 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneMoSalah 8,886 Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 (edited) 5 hours ago, TheHulk said: The PSR machine will sell him. Wait and see. £20-25m and he will be forced to leave only to be replaced by another foreign player of the same age bracket for double the price and half the ability. Dreading the summer window already because it is going to be another shitshow. I mean Baleba links already happening… ok yes looks a good player but what was the point in signing all of Caicedo, Lavia, Ugochuwku, Santos, Amougou & Essugo if we go drop another £100m+ on another more defensively minded midfielder (would be fair to say that regarding him)? Just baffling this club is littered with fucking morons making big decisions from top to bottom. Edited April 1 by OneMoSalah Reddish-Blue 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAM09 7,056 Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 6 hours ago, TheHulk said: Class player. Leipzig just signed him in Jan. I'm aware they haven't been doing well this season, but there surely has to be more to this. Also, he isn't someone we need as of now with our AM options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkh 596 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 BREAKING: BlueCo are planning to sign Emanuel Emegha for Chelsea from Strasbourg. "It’s on the table!", @MohamedTERParis 🤔Jackson 2.0 He is damn quick, very bad in the air and still misses a lot of top chances even though he has scored a lot of goals this season!!!! Vesper, OneMoSalah and LAM09 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddish-Blue 2,509 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 10 hours ago, OneMoSalah said: The PSR machine will sell him. Wait and see. £20-25m and he will be forced to leave only to be replaced by another foreign player of the same age bracket for double the price and half the ability. Dreading the summer window already because it is going to be another shitshow. I mean Baleba links already happening… ok yes looks a good player but what was the point in signing all of Caicedo, Lavia, Ugochuwku, Santos, Amougou & Essugo if we go drop another £100m+ on another more defensively minded midfielder (would be fair to say that regarding him)? Just baffling this club is littered with fucking morons making big decisions from top to bottom. You forgot to mention that we have Brighton boys making the decisions behind the scenes. Baleba gets the auto green tick of approval. Same reason why Sanchez is still at the club as the #1 keeper. I'd be surprised if Santos' agent didn't test out the market as there will be plenty of interest in a young mid with goalscoring ability (something we sorely lack). OneMoSalah 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkh 596 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 🟡Matt Law on Chelsea targets for number 9 position: 🎙 "Liam Delap is definitely on the radar, not just of the manager, but the club like him as well as the manager. You've then got Sesko, who also has a release clause. I think Osimhen is still a possibility as well. I don't think that's completely off the table. They're the three that I'm certain are on a list." 🔵Penders isn't getting sold, no chance. Jorgensen isn't getting sold after one year, no chance. So out of Petrovic and Sanchez, one of them is going to end as one of the first two goalkeepers, and one of them is getting sold. @Matt_Law_DT 🟢Matt Law says the only way he sees Chelsea buying a GK this summer is if a ‘superstar option’ becomes available. Who would be that in YOUR eyes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkh 596 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 🔴Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres, who's available for a cut-price fee this summer. @FrazFletcher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkh 596 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 More from Matt Law Matt Law: "I would expect Andrey Santos to be part of the Club World Cup squad. At least one of the goalkeepers out of Petrovic and Penders, if not both, will go to the Club World Cup. “The lad coming in from Strasbourg, the defender, Mamadou Saar. I think he will go to the Club World Cup. I don't, I don't know for sure on Estevão, I don't know for sure. Kendrick Paez, definitely, I think, will go to the Club World Cup. Matt Law on Kendry Paez: "He's in England now. He's basically staying in England. He's doing some training in Strasbourg. He's training at Chelsea. “He's not going back now, at any any point, he is over here. He is being integrated, and he would be part of that Club World Cup as well." "I don't really see a scenario where Nico [Jackson] moves out to the left, and that becomes his position. “And I don't think Nico would particularly accept that. Really, I could see a scenario where if someone came in with a good bid for Nico, they'd consider selling him. That is a guess. "Chelsea really like Marc Guiu. He's not going anywhere.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkh 596 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 Chelsea’s owners, BlueCo Group, inject another £115 million into the club through a new share issue in March, 2025, aside from £65 million in February, 2025. (Source: Companies House) Vesper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhForAGreavsie 6,076 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 On 31/03/2025 at 04:58, mkh said: @ChelseaFC top South America Scout 🇧🇷Alysson Marins🇧🇷 is currently watching every game at the U17 - South American Championship 2025 in 🇨🇴Kolumbien🇨🇴. 👀✍️🔥 Everybody's top South America scout is watching that tournament. 🙂 mkh and Fulham Broadway 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhForAGreavsie 6,076 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 5 minutes ago, mkh said: More from Matt Law Matt Law: "I would expect Andrey Santos to be part of the Club World Cup squad. At least one of the goalkeepers out of Petrovic and Penders, if not both, will go to the Club World Cup. “The lad coming in from Strasbourg, the defender, Mamadou Saar. I think he will go to the Club World Cup. I don't, I don't know for sure on Estevão, I don't know for sure. Kendrick Paez, definitely, I think, will go to the Club World Cup. Matt Law on Kendry Paez: "He's in England now. He's basically staying in England. He's doing some training in Strasbourg. He's training at Chelsea. “He's not going back now, at any any point, he is over here. He is being integrated, and he would be part of that Club World Cup as well." "I don't really see a scenario where Nico [Jackson] moves out to the left, and that becomes his position. “And I don't think Nico would particularly accept that. Really, I could see a scenario where if someone came in with a good bid for Nico, they'd consider selling him. That is a guess. "Chelsea really like Marc Guiu. He's not going anywhere.” I thought that it had been settled, contractually, that Estavoa will be playing for Palmeiras in the Club World Cup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAM09 7,056 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 (edited) 1 hour ago, mkh said: 🟡Matt Law on Chelsea targets for number 9 position: 🎙 "Liam Delap is definitely on the radar, not just of the manager, but the club like him as well as the manager. You've then got Sesko, who also has a release clause. I think Osimhen is still a possibility as well. I don't think that's completely off the table. They're the three that I'm certain are on a list." 🔵Penders isn't getting sold, no chance. Jorgensen isn't getting sold after one year, no chance. So out of Petrovic and Sanchez, one of them is going to end as one of the first two goalkeepers, and one of them is getting sold. @Matt_Law_DT 🟢Matt Law says the only way he sees Chelsea buying a GK this summer is if a ‘superstar option’ becomes available. Who would be that in YOUR eyes? I can see a world where Petrovic is sold and someone like Maignan possibly coming in depending on if we qualify for CL, CWC performance, etc. He's past his best, though. 36 minutes ago, OhForAGreavsie said: I thought that it had been settled, contractually, that Estavoa will be playing for Palmeiras in the Club World Cup? He's publicly said that he will be playing for them, so I feel like that's a non-starter unless we wanna turn him sour about the move before even putting on a shirt. Edited April 2 by LAM09 OhForAGreavsie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkh 596 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 (edited) Chelsea's top South America Scout 🇧🇷Alysson Marins🇧🇷 is currently watching every game at the U17 - South American Championship 2025 in 🇨🇴Kolumbien🇨🇴.👀✍️🔥 Marins was already responsible for the signings at Chelsea of: Estevao Paez Denner Evangelista Anselmino Washington Angelo He also wanted Beraldo (now at PSG) Moscardo (now also at PSG) Pedro Lima (now at Wolves) to Chelsea. These are the next talents Marins wants and recommends to Chelsea or Strassbourg: Gabriel Mec Franco Mastantuono Ian Subiabre Gabriel Carvalho These players are now being closely monitored by him at the U-17 tournament: Deinner Ordofez Ruan Pablo Zé Lucas Alonso Olguín Thomás De Martis Yastin Cuevas Pedro Villalba Yerwin Sulbarán Marcos Maitán Edmilson Herazo Edited April 2 by mkh Vesper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHulk 2,463 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 25 minutes ago, LAM09 said: I can see a world where Petrovic is sold and someone like Maignan possibly coming in depending on if we qualify for CL, CWC performance, etc. He's past his best, though. He's publicly said that he will be playing for them, so I feel like that's a non-starter unless we wanna turn him sour about the move before even putting on a shirt. Heard Maignan is a laughing stock this season, will fit right in. mkh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHulk 2,463 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 mkh and bigbluewillie 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LAM09 7,056 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 14 minutes ago, TheHulk said: Heard Maignan is a laughing stock this season, will fit right in. The reason why Milan are finally willing to part ways. Leao hasn't been up to much either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkh 596 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 BlueCo Leaders have injected a massive £450million into "BlueCo 22 Limited" as equity funding between Sept 2024 – March 2025! 💷 Breakdown of Investments: 📌 Sept/Oct 2024 = £190m 📌 Nov 2024 = £80m 📌 Feb 2025 = £65m 📌 Mar 2025 = £115m Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Kante 1,643 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 2 hours ago, LAM09 said: The reason why Milan are finally willing to part ways. Leao hasn't been up to much either. Sound like our types of guys. Suspect we are in for both and are offering Milan £20m to take Felix back. LAM09 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesper 30,195 Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 4 hours ago, mkh said: Who would be that in YOUR eyes? Lucas Chevalier Jan Oblak Emiliano Martinez Alisson Diogo Costa mkh 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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