All posts by z3u9t.icu

Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a target of Aston Villa this summer according to a guest on Sky Sports.

The 29-year-old is available on a free transfer following the expiration of his Liverpool contract.

What position does Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain play?

The England international can play a number of positions across both the attack and midfield, which makes him an attractive proposition for any potential buyers.

According to Transfermarkt, across the player's 393-game career, he has played as a striker, a left-winger, a right-winger, an attacking midfielder, a central midfielder, a defensive midfielder, a left midfielder, a right midfielder, and even as a right back. That versatility shows that he has a strong and flexible skillset both with and without the ball.

The 'Ox' is also a very experienced player, having made almost 400 career appearances before the age of 30, with over 200 appearances in the Premier League and over 50 in the Champions League. During his career, the midfielder has scored 48 goals and assisted 56 across all competitions, en route to winning everything there is to win at a club level in football, including a Champions League and a Premier League with the Merseyside club.

His career has been tarnished by injury problems however, with the Englishman having missed 170 career games through injury, with the most devastating one being a ruptured cruciate ligament injury he suffered in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final in 2018 that left him sidelined for over 300 days and 43 matches. Following his return from that injury, the midfielder really struggled to nail down a starting spot in the Liverpool team for the next four years before ultimately departing this summer.

Jordan Henderson was full of praise for his former teammate in Liverpool's final matchday programme of last season, stating: "Ox is currently in the shape of his life and whoever gets him next has won the lottery. He's been fit and one of our standout players in training consistently for the past two seasons. Being honest, I'm buzzing for Ox but gutted he gets the chance to have a fresh start somewhere else. What I felt back on summer transfer deadline night in 2017 still applies now: the guy is dynamite. What a player."

According to reports, three Premier League sides are battling for the signature of the England international, with Villa joined by Brighton and Brentford in the race for his signature.

A guest on the Good Morning Transfers Sky Sports show revealed that the Englishman prefers to stay in England, and has already turned down lucrative offers from abroad: "We understand three Premier League clubs are interested in signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and we understand those clubs are Aston Villa, Brighton and Brentford, and it’s also understood that he’s had interest from the MLS, Turkey and of course Saudi Arabia.

So he left Liverpool at the end of last season, and we understand he has already turned down a few lucrative offers from teams abroad because his preferred option at this point is to stay in England."

Where will Oxlade-Chamberlain play for Aston Villa?

The signing of Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a fantastic utility signing by Unai Emery.

As stated earlier, the player's versatility is incredible, and he could be deployed in a number of positions and roles for the Villains next season either in midfield, on the wings and possibly even up front.

Villa have made a number of really strong additions this window, with the signings of Youri Tielemans on a free transfer and Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen for a club record transfer fee, and Oxlade-Chamberlain could come in and offer some real quality depth behind those two new signings, as well as to established members of the squad such as Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey. This quality depth will also be very important for the Midlands side next season as they embark on their first European campaign in over a decade in the Conference League, and the added stress of playing two games a week will mean that manager Emery will have to fall back on his depth options more often, and having a player with the experience and quality of the 'Ox' coming off the bench and into games when needed will be a massive help for the side.

Chelsea have already had 'first contacts' with Juventus as they try to strike a deal for striker Dusan Vlahovic and both parties will hold a meeting this week to discuss matters further, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

Is Dusan Vlahovic coming to Chelsea?

According to The Daily Mail, Chelsea have explored the merits of signing Vlahovic this summer as they target a new striker; however, his wage packet is said to be too prohibitive amid their aim to restructure 'wage tiers' at Stamford Bridge.

The Serbia international is reportedly available for around £77 million and has also been sought after by Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in the off-season.

Journalist Alfredo Pedulla has claimed that Vlahovic would prefer to join Paris Saint-Germain as opposed to swapping Juventus for Chelsea following 'dialogue' between both parties.

Chelsea are looking to offload forgotten man Romelu Lukaku and Juventus have emerged as leading contenders to sign the Belgium international after talks with his former club Inter Milan collapsed, as per Telegraph Sport.

Lukaku has returned to training at the Blues' Cobham base but will not partake in their pre-season tour out in the United States, though Juventus will only look to strike a deal if they have to sell Vlahovic.

Inter Milan have shifted their focus from Lukaku towards Arsenal frontman Folarin Balogun, who has also been linked with Chelsea in the last few weeks, as per FootballTransfers.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Galetti has revealed that talks between Vlahovic and his representatives over a move to Chelsea will take place soon.

Galetti stated: “Vlahovic could leave Juventus this summer after only one year and a half.

"We already revealed his possible move weeks ago and now that the transfer market session is getting to the heart, this option appears to be increasingly concrete with Chelsea the ones that are moving towards the Serbian player.

"The first contacts between the Blues and Juventus have already taken place in recent days: Bianconeri have confirmed that the price tag of Dusan is set at around €80 million.

"Probably too high at the moment, even if a new meeting is scheduled for Vlahovic during the week.”

Would Dusan Vlahovic be a good fit for Chelsea?

Vlahovic, who has been hailed as a "machine", is certainly a handful to contend with and would become a big asset at Chelsea if he was to move to Stamford Bridge this window.

Last term, the 23-year-old racked up decent numbers for Juventus across all competitions, registering 14 goals and four assists in 42 appearances, as per Transfermarkt.

Leading the line efficiently, Vlahovic was also able to bring others into play over the course of last term and successfully pulled off 63 shot-creating actions, according to FBRef.

As per WhoScored, the Serbia international carried a strong goal threat throughout the campaign and took on 2.5 shots per match in Serie A for his current employers.

Chelsea have already bolstered their forward line with the additions of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku. Nevertheless, getting another striker through the door will be necessary for Mauricio Pochettino to achieve his aims in 2023/24.

Arsenal’s business is not rumoured to be finished yet in the transfer window, with the Gunners linked to midfielder Gabri Veiga throughout the summer.

Mikel Arteta stated during the club’s pre-season tour that there is “still time to do things”, hinting that he could spend additional amounts to the £210m already spent by the north Londoners so far.

Could Arsenal sign Gabri Veiga?

Celta Vigo starlet Veiga has been mentioned alongside the Gunners since February, however, speculation has grown throughout the summer following the conclusion of the 2022/23 calendar.

As reported by French outlet L’Equipe last week, the 21-year-old is not of interest to Paris Saint-Germain, with Arsenal named as one of the clubs ‘fighting’ for his signature.

The report claims that there’s an all-London tussle ongoing for the midfielder, with Tottenham and Chelsea also eyeing the talent, who has a €40m (£34m) release clause in place in Spain.

How good is Gabri Veiga?

Lauded as a “sensation” by members of the media, the midfielder has cemented himself as one of La Liga’s most promising stars for his contribution to Celta Vigo’s side.

In the 2022/23 campaign, the Porrino-born gem contributed to 15 goals in La Liga, scoring 11 and assisting four in a dominant individual term from central midfield.

Highlighted as a ‘box-to-box’ midfielder by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the 21-year-old bears some similarities to former Arsenal hero Jack Wilshere, who the club could imitate by signing the Spaniard.

Opting to retire from the game at just 30-years-old, the Englishman had a sensational start to his career that was ultimately plagued by injury which forced him to call it quits so early to take on a coaching role.

Now acting as head coach to Arsenal’s U18s, the Stevenage-born ace remains an integral part of things in north London, however, his playing days are missed in the sense of his understanding of the club’s culture and his combative yet classy nature.

Wilshere recorded his highest match total of 31 appearances in the Premier League back in the 2010/11 season for the Gunners, in which he displayed his innate talent in central midfield.

That term, the former England international showcased his complete skill set in the engine room, averaging 1.7 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game, as well as contributing offensively with 1.7 key passes per match, having a hand in four goals, via WhoScored.

Similar numbers have been hit by Veiga last season in La Liga, who averaged 1.10 key passes and 1.69 tackles per 90 for his club, suggesting that he could emulate Wilshere's spark when in his youth at the Emirates.

The Englishman was a strong carrier of the ball, which is a strength possessed by the La Liga gem, who averaged 2.67 progressive carries per 90 in the league last campaign, reinforcing the likeness between the two.

Hailed as “highly talented” by Kulig, the 21-year-old could be a player that could encapsulate the traits lauded by the north Londoners in relation to Wilshere’s hopeful career.

A player influential in the final third, Arteta could land another goal-scoring threat to his midfield, which has been significantly bolstered already this summer with the £105m capture of Declan Rice from West Ham.

Leeds United have seemingly identified the man who could be their first big acquisition under Daniel Farke's new leadership…

Is Glen Kamara leaving Rangers?

Despite reportedly closing in on a swoop for Scottish youngster Lewis Pirie, it is unlikely that the promising 16-year-old will have an immediate impact on the Whites' goal to earn an instant Championship promotion.

However, someone who certainly could is Glen Kamara, who has starred in recent years for Rangers, but could now be set for pastures new.

Transfer insider Dean Jones is the latest to tout his potential exit, as he told GIVEMESPORT:

"Glen Kamara has been a topic of talk for some time, but it does look like he will finally leave. Leeds and Southampton are looking at him, and for clubs like that, in the Championship, he would probably be a great signing. He has offers from abroad too though, so it’ll be interesting to see what he decides to do."

The Scottish outfit are thought to be demanding around £5m for his signature this summer, according to The Herald.

How many goals has Glen Kamara scored?

Having bounced around numerous clubs, his 193 appearances for the Gers suggest the Finland international has at last found some stability in a career that once promised much.

His former boss Steven Gerrard had still outlined a bright future for the 27-year-old during his stint at Ibrox, detailing:

“He’s a terrific footballer in possession, always playing with his head up and looking to connect defence and attack. But what pleased me most is what I spoke about when we signed him in terms of how he’ll be out of possession. Will he hunt the ball back, be aggressive, work hard for the team and be a monster in the middle of the park.

"He showed signs of that against Kilmarnock and potentially he can become a top midfielder."

With an all-action play style that blends a touch of quality with defensive steel, all the attributes are in place for this experienced stalwart to emulate the success Kalvin Phillips enjoyed during his time in Yorkshire.

Although his exit was somewhat unceremonious, fans still remember the powerful performances in the engine room under Marcelo Bielsa that finally propelled them back into the Premier League.

Averaging a 7.28 rating across that 2019/20 league campaign, he would maintain an 82% pass accuracy with 1.4 interceptions, 2.6 tackles and 1.8 key passes per game, via Sofascore.

Whilst it would be near-impossible to replicate these stellar numbers, Kamara did showcase signs during the 2021/22 Scottish Premiership season that suggests he could emulate the 27-year-old treble-winner.

After all, his 7.01 average rating gave way to six goal contributions, a 91% pass accuracy, 1.3 key passes and one tackle per game, via Sofascore.

He could prove to be a dictating presence in a key area for the Whites, seeking that metronome to conduct their return to the top flight.

Even lacking a goalscoring touch, with just nine goals and 11 assists during those games for Rangers, is not enough to downplay his influence.

Although Tyler Adams seemed set to replace that energy in midfield, having maintained 3.7 tackles per game last term in the Premier League, recent links touting his exit suggest they might need someone new to finally fulfil such a role.

In Kamara, who clearly has all the attributes necessary to thrive in the Championship and be a creative threat from deep, Farke could find just that as he looks to find someone to emulate the success of Phillips in the Elland Road engine room next season.

Liverpool could be set to sanction the exit of Thiago Alcantara from Anfield this summer, reports suggesting that Galatasaray have held talks over a move for the player.

Is Thiago leaving Liverpool?

The 32-year-old has been with the Reds for three seasons now, but having begun life at the club as a fairly frequent option for them in the Premier League, his game time has since tailed off. His initial campaign at Anfield after joining from Bayren Munich led to 24 games in total, as he bagged one goal and the club finished third. However, in 2022/23, the Spaniard started only 14 games and had slightly less in terms of his amounts of 90 minutes.

With the midfielder no longer a frequent option for Liverpool, it means that he could be on the move this summer as the Reds look to sort out their squad. They've already added Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton who can feature in a number of midfield roles, and they added to that business by bringing in Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig, who can also play there.

It doesn't appear as if their transfer business in that area is done yet either, with the Reds still being linked to other midfielders such as Romeo Lavia from Southampton. No deal has been agreed, but it looks as though the Reds remain keen to try and get a deal done for the Belgian. It means that Thiago could find himself even further down the pecking order – and that could lead to a transfer away from the English outfit this transfer window.

Are Galatasaray signing Thiago?

There is already interest in signing the 32-year-old – and talks have seemingly been held. That's because according to a report from Fanatik via The Daily Mail, Galatasaray are eager to try and seal a deal for Thiago and have already held talks over a potential transfer for the Spaniard. It appears that the European giants have even tabled an offer for the midfielder already – one that is thought to be "good" – and that they have sent one of their key figures to visit Liverpool in order to try and push through a move.

Right now, no medical is booked and no official deal has been agreed. However, it does look as though things could be progressing in terms of sending the central player to Turkey and allowing him to leave Liverpool on a deal this summer window.

Thiago is still a very good option in the centre of midfield, with current boss Jurgen Klopp only last year hailing the ability of the player. The German stated that his midfielder is "outstanding" and has a "sensational overview" of a game when he features in it.

If he did leave, then it could prove to be a blow for Liverpool, as he is capable of brilliance. However, with the Reds undergoing a rebuild in the middle of the pitch, it could be the right time for the 32-year-old to leave Anfield, making this one to watch over the coming days and weeks.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to continue their unrelenting summer window, despite having already welcomed two new faces as of early July.

Despite having tempted James Maddison to vastly improve Ange Postecoglou's midfield, there could be a suggestion that this alone might not be enough to promote the vast upturn that the Australian will crave

Having watched the Lilywhites slump to an eighth-placed Premier League finish last term, the future will likely consist of a revitalised Chelsea and Liverpool, an ever-improving Arsenal and Manchester United, and a Newcastle United team that will be desperate to retain their place in the top four.

That is even without mentioning the gatecrashers, as Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion now both have a taste of European football, too. Further reinforcement is needed to re-establish their place amongst the elite.

Given the all-action attacking philosophy of their new boss, which often consists of two aggressive No 8s, perhaps the addition of another offensive-minded midfielder could provide the perfect partner for their £40m man as the spearhead of a frightening engine room.

Given what reports in Spain have noted in recent months, that man could be Crystal Palace's £19m-rated star, Eberechi Eze.

Would Ebere Eze improve Tottenham Hotspur?

The England international starred last campaign for the Eagles, as a catalyst for their comfortable finish way clear of the relegation zone, with which they flirted for some time.

As a skilful attacking midfielder, the versatility of this trickster will likely be of huge value to someone as tactically astute as Postecoglou. He will see the 25-year-old as someone to underpin his system, able to morph to aid its progression and switch intelligently mid-game.

Not to mention he is just naturally a very talented footballer, as outlined in his ten goals and four assists last season posted in the league. This earned him his 7.12 average rating, which was further bolstered through 1.5 key passes, 1.1 tackles and 1.9 successful dribbles per game, via Sofascore.

To add the elegant ace alongside another the imperious Maddison would mark an instant injection of creativity from deep that they have been sorely lacking.

Last season, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg combined for a total of just nine league goals between them. Both Eze and the former Leicester City man surpassed that on their own.

When compared to other central midfielders across Europe, where Roy Hodgson and Patrick Vieira often deployed him, the former QPR wizard ranks in the top 1% for successful take-ons per 90.

To imagine him striding out with the ball at his feet, forging space for his hypothetical teammate to then provide that deadly finishing touch, seems like a match made in heaven. It is no wonder he was branded a "magician" by Micah Richards, with his consistently spellbinding performances earning him a potential big move.

This pairing of Eze and Maddison could lead the press, create from anywhere and wreak havoc on opposition defences, yet they retain the mindset that makes them hard workers, too. As a couple of roaming 8s within the same team, they could cause carnage for the rest of the division.

Fulham are expected to open talks over the signing of versatile Fenerbache defender Ferdi Kadioglu, according to reports out of Turkey.

Who will join Fulham this summer?

As per recent rumours, the Whites and manager Marco Silva are getting busy in identifying transfer targets ahead of what will be a crucial 2023/2024 season.

Fulham comfortably avoided relegation last time round and even contended for Europe following a first full campaign back in the Premier League.

Silva’s side wish to upgrade key areas of the squad, defensively, in midfield and further forward, with Man United midfielder Fred, Leicester City defender Timothy Castagne, Coventry City’s Viktor Gyokeres and Norwich full-back Max Aarons.

Fulham star Joao Palhinha, after his own exceptional debut season in England, is said to be a man in demand as well with Man United, Liverpool and West Ham all eyeing up a move for the £90 million man.

It appears there could be a flurry of both incomings and outgoings at Craven Cottage this summer window, and according to Turkish-Football sources, they have their eyes on Kadioglu of Fenerbache.

The 23-year-old, who has been capped for Turkey’s national team, is a player attracting serious interest from Silva and co with Fulham scouts running the rule over him recently.

Most interestingly, club chiefs have been impressed with some of his performances, and it is expected that formal Fulham talks to sign the player will take place.

This is after Fenerbache were contacted by the west London side, and if they can find middle ground on price, it is believed they will commence negotiations.

Who is Ferdi Kadioglu?

Kadioglu is described as a versatile right-back option, who can play on either flank, at wing back and even the winger positions.

Only Attila Szalai played more top flight minutes than the young defender last season, showcasing what an indispensable asset he is for Fenerbache.

During that time, Kadioglu chipped in with three goals and four assists, completing the 22/23 campaign as one of Fenerbache’s best-performing players per 90 according to WhoScored.

The Turk also averaged their joint-highest rate of tackles per 90 at the back, with Emre Sarigul, founder of Turkish-football.com, tipping him to a success way back in 2020.

Arsenal are now on the verge of completing a move for Ajax defender Jurrien Timber, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

Is Jurrien Timber joining Arsenal?

According to a report from The Mirror, Timber believes he has an agreement in place with Ajax that will allow him to make the switch to the Emirates Stadium, having turned his back on a move to Manchester United last summer.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has recently revealed Arsenal are set to make another offer for the Ajax star, having already had one bid knocked back, as the player himself considers the project "perfect" for his aspirations.

Mikel Arteta is said to view the 22-year-old as a "priority target for this window", and the Gunners boss is now very close to completing a deal, according to a new update from Plettenberg.

Taking to Twitter, the Sky Sports reporter claimed the defender is on the "verge" of completing a switch to north London, as he "wants to join" and the verbal agreement is now "done."

Finalising the move now all comes down to the second official offer, and an "agreement is expected" for a fee of around €40m – €45m (£34m – £39m) plus bonus payments, which Plettenberg believes would be a "good deal for all parties."

"Jurrien Timber, on verge to join Arsenal! Bayern is not involved at this stage. The player wants to join Arsenal. Verbal agreement is done. All depends on the second official offer now. Agreement expected between €40-45m transfer fee + bonus payments. Would be a good deal for all parties."

What position does Jurrien Timber play?

The 5 foot 10 defender has most commonly been deployed at centre-back throughout his career so far, however, he is versatile and has made 49 appearances at right-back, another area in which Arteta is reportedly keen to strengthen.

Football Scout Jacek Kulig has hailed the Ajax academy graduate as "exceptional", as he makes up for his lack of height with his "understanding of the game, anticipation, pace and ball skills."

Last season, he averaged 1.2 interceptions per game in the Eredivisie, the joint-second highest figure in the squad, which indicates that Kulig is correct in his assessment about the Utrecht-born defender being able to read the game very well.

Over the past year, the Utrecht-born defender has also showcased his passing ability, ranking in the 99th percentile for passes attempted and his pass completion rate per 90, when compared to his positional peers playing at a similar level. Timber has proven that he is more than capable of making the step up to the Premier League, and it is exciting news that the deal now appears to be very close to completion.

Jonathan Lewis could be a bargain signing for Leicester City as they look to find a replacement for Harvey Barnes.

What's the latest Leicester City transfer news?

Following their relegation from the Premier League, the Foxes face a wild summer as the club looks to revamp their side ahead of their first Championship campaign in almost a decade.

With figures such as James Maddison likely headed for the door, and Youri Tielemans already having departed for Aston Villa, the Midlands club has a lot of work to do as they build a squad ready to pursue promotion at the first time of asking.

Barnes is another name who is reportedly on his way out of Leicester, but it seems they've already found a replacement for the Englishman and one that looks like a bargain at that.

Playing in Major League Soccer (MLS) for Colorado Rapids, Lewis has caught the attention of a number of clubs this season, including newly-promoted Burnley, and with reports suggesting he'd cost just £500k, a move for the 26-year-old would be quite the bargain Barnes replacement for Leicester.

Would Jonathan Lewis be a good Harvey Barnes replacement for Leicester?

Symbolically playing for the Rapids, Lewis is regarded as one of the fastest players in the MLS and suits the bill of a like-for-like Barnes replacement nicely.

Predominantly playing on the left, similarly to the England winger, the 26-year-old dynamo also has the ability to feature on the right or in a central forward position, offering flexibility that Leicester would benefit from in a long Championship season.

With four goals and an assist in 19 appearances this season, Lewis hasn't been firing on all cylinders, but if last year's 10 goal contributions are anything to go by, the winger is capable of contributing significantly to the team's offensive output.

His goal contributions might not reach the heights of Barnes', but Lewis successfully completed 1.1 dribbles a game, while the Leicester man completed 0.8, so Lewis is actually outperforming the Leicester man in terms of their ball-carrying skills and the Englishman was actually dispossessed significantly more often a game (2.2) than the MLS star (0.6) too.

Sure, the American isn't as prolific as Barnes, but with the Englishman set to leave Leicester for what's reportedly going to be around £30m, and the Lewis set to be available for just £500k due to his contract expiring next summer, bringing him in to replace the departing star can only be considered a great bit of business for the Foxes as they operate under a tighter budget than years past.

Having once been labelled "very competitive" by his former New York City FC manager Patrick Viera, it's clear that the winger would always give 100%, something the Foxes' squad has been accused of lacking as they were relegated from the Premier League.

Given the low price tag and evidence above, new Foxes boss Enzo Maresca would be well worth a punt this summer transfer window.

Arsenal are keen on West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice this summer, though his current employers 'were quite dismissive' over their opening bid to try and land the England international, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

What's the latest transfer news involving Declan Rice?

According to Sky Sports, Arsenal were rebuffed in their first attempt to try and land Rice and saw a bid of £80 million plus add-ons turned down for the 24-year-old.

The report states that the offer was comprised of several 'slow installments' with 'tough contingencies attached to it' while the Hammers are said to value Rice at around £120 million, though are potentially willing to accept a fee of £100 million if the Gunners pursue a player-plus-cash deal.

As per The Daily Mail, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United have all signaled their own interest in Rice, creating a tug-of-war between four clubs for his services.

West Ham could look to drive the price up by initiating a bidding war for Rice as they look to gain the maximum amount of financial reward for the London-born midfielder.

Capology understand that Rice earns around £60,000 per week on the books at the London Stadium on a contract that runs until June 2024.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jacobs has detailed that both the structure of the proposed deal and amount offered from Arsenal led to West Ham United rejecting their initial bid for Rice.

Jacobs told FFC: "West Ham sources were quite dismissive of the opening bid, but this isn't just about Arsenal hitting a British transfer record number. This is about payment terms and this is also about add-ons that are gettable rather than less likely. It's about the number and it's about the structure and at the moment, Arsenal are off the number and off the structure."

Would Declan Rice be a good signing for Arsenal?

Rice has been an extremely efficient presence in West Ham United's midfield over the last few years and looks primed for a tilt at playing for an elite-level club such as Arsenal next term.

In 2022/23, the 24-year-old made 50 appearances in all competitions for West Ham United, registering five goals and four assists, as per Transfermarkt.

As per WhoScored, Rice was West Ham United's most consistent performer over the duration of the campaign, averaging a match rating of 7.01/10 for his exploits.

FBRef also show that he was able to drive his side forward from midfield and successfully carried out 112 shot-creating actions in total.

Arsenal are keen to sign Rice, though now may have to enter into a protracted saga to secure his signature amid significant interest from other Premier League clubs this window.