Manchester United could be dealt a potentially huge blow to their summer transfer plans, as they hold talks with HMRC over unpaid taxes.
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HMRC in talks with United over taxesMay owe money for deals with players and agentsOutcome could affect summer spendingWHAT HAPPENED?
The Red Devils are reportedly in talks with HMRC, the UK Government's department for the collection of taxes, according to . The discussions are thought to involve potential money owed for dealings with players and their representatives, with any discrepancies owing to a different interpretation of the rules in place.
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The talks come as part of HMRC's improved efforts to collect money from Premier League clubs, with £124.8 million ($158.9m) recouped from top-flight clubs last tax year – over double the previous year's amount. While good for the UK Government, if United are found to owe a significant portion this would heavily impact their summer transfer plans. The Red Devils were already constrained to a frugal January due to the need to balance the books.
WHAT HMRC SAID
Speaking after collecting that £124.8m amount, the UK tax authorities wrote in a statement: "We will continue to carefully scrutinise arrangements between clubs, players and agents to ensure the correct tax is paid. We work closely with the football industry to educate and deal with tax risk head on.”
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This summer will be the first window under minority investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who could see his transfer stategy hindered before it has even started. United are reportedly already preparing for the sales of several players to raise the necessary funds, with the likes of Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire mooted for exits. Ratcliffe may need to add a few more names to the chopping block if said talks are unsuccessful.
Liverpool boast a steady flow of youth production over the years, never the most productive of academy factories across the Premier League years, but undoubtedly capable of fashioning diamonds on occasion.
Steven Gerrard, of course, is the most notable example, but he is by no means alone; Michael Owen won the Ballon d'Or and Robbie Fowler scored 189 goals for the Reds, while Jamie Carragher forged an impressive career in the Anfield rearguard.
Since Jurgen Klopp assumed management of the club in 2015, it does feel like there has been an upswing in productivity within the formative fold, but then, this is a by-product of the German's transformative effect on Merseyside.
Liverpool languished, but now they fly high as one of Europe's most successful outfits across the past several years, notably winning the Premier League and Champions League.
Liverpool managerJurgenKlopparrives at the stadium before the match
At the heart of that triumph was Trent Alexander-Arnold, the innovative creator so important over the years and now the club's vice-captain at the age of 25.
Curtis Jones too has played his part and is now considered an integral member of the squad, having really come into his own in 2023 and been dubbed the "complete #8" by one analyst & scout.
At present, teenage hopefuls with a good shot at earning an opportunity to prove their worth dapple Merseyside in vibrant red, with, Jarell Quansah, Ben Doak and Stefan Bajcetic among the standouts.
There are, however, further riches to be had, with one Mateusz Musiałowski in absolutely stunning form at present; a starlet long noted for his flair and ability, might he now be combining the cogs, ready to whir into life on the major stage?
Who is Mateusz Musiałowski?
Musialowski has been on Liverpool's books for several years now, joining from Polish side SMS Lodz in August 2020, and while he enjoyed a prolific opening campaign in England, he has slumped ever since.
Season
Apps
Goals
Assists
23/24
6
4
2
22/23
18
2
0
21/22
26
10
1
20/21
25
12
3
This season, however, he has already posted four goals and two assists from his opening six matches across all competitions, including two strikes and an assist from two games against senior sides Morecambe and Blackpool in the EFL Trophy.
It's worth noting that while Musialowski's most productive term came in his maiden year, he was playing at U18 level; now on the cusp of the professional scene, that raw talent is transmuting into something prolific, something that can be nurtured.
The goal above was the one that really got people talking. Collected, head down, run. Musiałowski deftly weaved around the hapless opposition with the grace and certainty that speaks of a future at the very top.
It was the ease of his gliding gait, the swift-weaving, lateral movements, that will have done more than attracted Klopp's attention. Here was a player of innate brilliance, someone who, with apt management, would be playing for the senior set-up in no time.
"I just ran with the ball,” Musiałowski said to Liverpool's official website. “When I see the space, I just go for it. I have seen a lot of Lionel Messi goals like that, so I try to be like him and I want to repeat it!”
Well, it hasn't quite happened just yet. Now aged 19 and just a matter of days away from his 20th year, Musiałowski is yet to make his senior debut, and while he has found form with the U21s, he will be yearning for a chance to shine soon.
Once described as "excellent" by reporter Andy Kelly, the fleet-footed teenager now needs to maintain the rich vein of form he is riding and discover the key to wielding his cutting edge with constancy.
While inconsistency and rumours of his exit lingered across the summer, with reporter Jack Lusby actually claiming that his exit was all but confirmed, the Polish talent remains on the Reds' books.
Polish outlet Sport.pl revealed last month that a summer move fell through due to Liverpool's exchanging of terms, hoping to recuperate some money, and while he is now set to see out his deal, there is a chance for him to display his skills.
His current contract might be set for expiry next summer, but perhaps everything has finally clicked into place for this young phenom, and if such showings are sustained, he may well find things moving pretty quickly.
Dynamic and multi-functional, he has already been utilised across the frontline this season, setting him in good stead to provide cover for the first-team stars when need be, and given his incisive threat and progressive nature, he could be a great counterweight to Mohamed Salah up top.
How good is Mohamed Salah?
Salah is the cream of the crop at Anfield, the starring forward, the devastating weapon that provides the assurance of goals in abundance for Klopp's title-chasing side.
After completing a £34m transfer from Italian side Fiorentina, Salah enjoyed the most resounding of starts to life under Klopp's wing, scoring 44 goals from 52 games during his maiden term, since providing a consistently staggering goal threat – now boasting 192 goals and 83 assists from 315 total outings, having won the whole gamut of silverware under Klopp.
Liverpool forward Mo Salah.
This season, the 31-year-old has plundered six goals and four assists from ten outings, ever-imperious in the face of goal, the indomitable centrepiece of Liverpool's changing frontline.
Musiałowski, a young player who has not yet made his professional debut, simply cannot be expected to be an 'alternative', but he does boast qualities fit for purpose, a wily attacker who could even offer a new dimension to the Anfield side's attack, pushing the ball upfield and making space for peers such as striker Darwin Nunez to wreak havoc.
Obviously, Salah carries such a threat, but he cannot be expected to play every match this season and will be absent during the upcoming African Cup of Nations, starting in January.
And while some will consider Doak the best fit to serve in the role, as talented as he may be the 17-year-old is arguably not quite ready for a consistent role in Klopp's side.
Musiałowski, however, is approaching his 20th birthday and ostensibly has a better level of physicality to serve him against senior opposition – something that is perhaps evidenced through his upswing in performance this season.
Musiałowski will be hoping to continue his fine form and push on Klopp's doorstep; time is running out for him to salvage his Liverpool career and earn a shot in the first team, but if he does find himself presented with an opportunity, he must grasp it firmly and stake his claim.
BBC pundit Danny Murphy has said that Arsenal could be taking a "massive risk" after hearing who they now reportedly want to sign.
Who have Arsenal signed in 2023?
The north Londoners enjoyed one of their most productive transfer windows in recent memory over the summer, putting pen to paper on deals for club-record signing Declan Rice, versatile Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber, forward Kai Havertz and goalkeeper David Raya for a total of around £200 million.
The Premier League title hopefuls, following their summer business, are currently boasting a solid start to the new campaign and remain unbeaten over their opening six league matches. Wins over Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Man United and Everton keep Arsenal in chase with some of the division's big-hitters, with their dropped points coming against city rivals Fulham and Tottenham.
Arsenal managerMikelArteta
The Gunners were stopped in their tracks by Spurs last weekend as their fierce rivals sealed a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium, coming back from a goal down on two occasions courtesy of their captain Son Heung-min – who bagged a brace. Mikel Arteta, speaking after the match, explained his disappointment and how the encounter felt like two dropped points.
"We feel like we lost two points," said the manager.
"It's true there was a lot of change in the dominance of the game, but especially when we had more control and more dominance in the game, and we score the goal, they score straight away. We started quite good, we scored the goal, but straight away we concede. So, emotionally, that was a difficult one to take. I thought we struggled for a period of 10 or 15 minutes later, we lacked a lot of composure with the ball and we made it a basketball game. But I think in the end we pushed, pushed and pushed, but couldn't get the win.
"The hardest thing to do is put the ball in the net. We've done it twice but I think we conceded two really poor goals. At this level, they're going to punish you because they've got top players."
What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?
As Arteta prepares his side for a trip to Bournemouth this weekend, behind the scenes, Arsenal chiefs are identifying transfer targets for the new year. One player to be repeatedly linked with a move is Brentford star Ivan Toney, who could even be central to a part-exchange deal, according to reports this week.
There have also been claims that striker could cost as much as £80 million to prise away from the Bees, a rumour which has worried BBC pundit Murphy as he explains why signing him could be a "massive risk". Speaking to FIVE this week, the ex-Liverpool midfielder said:
“Arsenal are a very intricate footballing side, he hasn’t played in that sort of team. They have a left-footer on the right and a right-footer on the left. They play pretty patterns, they’re not a crossing team. They don’t cross many. Possibly (he could adapt), he would become the main guy and Jesus would have to fit in, but depending on the fee, even though I think he makes the squad stronger. It would be a massive risk to spend £80/90m for him when he’s only had one season in a team that is set up for him and ask him to become this wonderful, intricate footballer. I’m not sure."
Toney scored 20 league goals last season and has been praised by his manager Thomas Frank as a "remarkable" player, and it looks as if a deal will be one to watch.
A 113-run stand between Wesley Barresi and Ryan ten Doeschate kept Netherlands in the hunt in their chase of 310, but a string of run outs pegged them back and left them well short of the DLS par score when rain brought the contest to a premature halt
The Report by Sreshth Shah12-Mar-2018 Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsA brutal 84 from Evin Lewis powered West Indies to 309 for 6, and that total and inclement weather combined put Netherlands out of contention for the Super Sixes.There were two breaks for rain during the West Indies innings, which caused the match to be reduced to 48 overs a side. Netherlands were in a reasonable position in their chase of 310, when Wesley Barresi (64) and Ryan ten Doeschate (67*) in the midst of a 113-run stand for the third wicket at a run-rate of 6.78, but a string of run outs put them on the back foot.Evin Lewis blasted 84 to set up West Indies’ tall score•ICC/Getty ImagesFirst, Barresi was run out in the 24th over – courtesy Lewis’ brilliance in the deep – and in the next over captain Peter Borren was caught short while trying to steal a second run off a free-hit. Ten Doeschate, the No. 3 batsman, was at the other end on both occasions. At the start of the 29th over, Netherlands were still in the game , with 150 needed from 20 overs and ten Doeschate at the crease on 61. Four balls into that over, however, with rain imminent, Pieter Seelaar fell to Kesrick Williams.That was to be the last action of the match, as rain sent the players off the field once more, this time for good, with Netherlands 54 behind the DLS par score. Before Seelaar’s dismissal, they had been 34 behind.Earlier, after being sent in, West Indies started with a bang with Chris Gayle and Lewis adding 85 off 51 balls for the first wicket. Gayle was particularly severe on seamer Vivian Kingma, taking him for 38 runs off 22 balls, including five sixes. Lewis, at the other end, got stuck into Timm van der Gugten, smashing him four successive boundaries in the fourth over. The rollicking stand ended when van der Merwe pulled off a stunning catch to remove Gayle for 46 off 31 balls. Van der Merwe then slowed West Indies down with the ball, dismissing Shimron Hetmyer and Shai Hope. However, it was Borren who had taken the big wicket of Lewis in the 28th over. By then, he had hit six fours and four sixes.Marlon Samuels, however, hit form to make an unbeaten 73 off 84 balls. He plundered 99 for the sixth wicket at a run-rate of 8.6 with Rovman Powell, who struck 52 off 38 balls, to haul West Indies past 300.GMT 0631 The report has been amended to reflect the fact that Netherlands began their innings chasing 310 in 48 overs
West Ham United’s reinvestment of the mammoth fee recouped from the sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal has been phenomenal.
Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse, and Konstantinos Mavropanos have all been added to the ranks at the London Stadium to help the fans quickly forget about the departure of their club captain.
Nevertheless, the Irons are reportedly still eyeing more signings…
What’s the latest West Ham transfer news?
According to Football Insider, the Hammers are weighing up a late-window offer for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher.
There has been ongoing speculation surrounding the midfielder’s future at Stamford Bridge, who are willing to let him leave for the right price.
It is understood that Gallagher’s “priority” is to cement himself as a valuable member of the Chelsea squad, but his role will be unclear once Romeo Lavia returns to full fitness.
Mauricio Pochettino is an admirer of the 23-year-old but accepts that his deal expires in 2025 and an exit cannot be ruled out.
Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…
Speaking after Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool on the season's opening day, the Argentine said: “In football, things can happen we cannot manage. At the moment, I am happy with him and his performance, he has two years on his contract.”
West Ham had a £40m offer rejected for the player at the end of July, with Tottenham Hotspur also interested in Gallagher. But, the Blues are only willing to listen to approaches of at least £50m according to Fabrizio Romano.
What are Conor Gallagher's strengths?
The Gallagher conundrum at Chelsea is a subject that dramatically divides the west London faithful.
On one side, his supposed lack of technical elegance and footballing intelligence are two factors that make some question his influence. However, the counterargument is that whoever his manager has been in the Premier League, he has been regularly picked. Patrick Viera, Frank Lampard, Graham Potter, and Thomas Tuchel have all been in favour of the Englishman’s involvement.
Conor-Gallagher-West-Ham-United-target
Interestingly, the latter lauded Gallagher as “exceptional” and a “pleasure” to work with, whose “energy” and “work-rate” are two incredibly attractive traits.
This has continued under Pochettino, who has started the seven-cap international in all three Premier League games so far this term.
In the latest top-flight outing during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over recently-promoted Luton, whilst operating from a deep-lying berth, Gallagher was very impressive.
He managed 95% pass accuracy, created a big chance, won five ground duels, and registered three interceptions and three tackles, as per Sofascore.
Moreover, the £50k-per-week man also ranks within the best 21% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for progressive carries per 90 and successful take-ons per 90, to show he is still a valuable asset on the ball.
If a late move materialises, Gallagher could make a formidable midfield partner for Ward-Prowse, who has enjoyed a scintillating start to life at West Ham.
On his debut against Chelsea, the former Southampton skipper recorded two assists and carried on his sensational influence at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
In the 3-1 win over Brighton, Ward-Prowse scored his first goal for the club, whilst also managing three accurate long balls and four interceptions. He has swiftly demonstrated that he is already a devastating component of David Moyes' highly effective counter-attacking system.
While the former Saint could be the glue that binds the midfield together, Gallagher would be able to use that controlling figure to his advantage in order to bound forward into the attacking positions he loves to operate in.
Indeed, the post-Rice era is looking bright and could be further elevated by this possible arrival.
Liverpool are still working hard on making new signings in the summer transfer window, with a new update suggesting that midfield is not the only area they want to strengthen.
Will Liverpool sign a centre-back?
The Reds started their 2023/24 season with a 1-1 draw away to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, as their Premier League campaign got off to a solid, if slightlky flawed, opening.
There were positives and negatives to take from the performance overall, with some of Liverpool's attacking play devastating at times, not least for Luis Diaz's goal, but the defending leaving a lot to be desired.
Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…
It once again highlighted the need for midfield reinforcements to come in before deadline day arrives later this month, but that isn't the only area that needs strengthening.
Andy Robertson is still finding it hard to adjust to his tweaked role, with the Scot having to play more centrally at times in order to accommodate Trent Alexander-Arnold going into midfield, and an altnernative to him is required moving forward.
Goncalo Inacio has arguably emerged as the front-runner to come in and provide competition for places, with the Sporting CP star someone who is capable of playing at both centre-back and left-back. A new update has now emerged regarding Liverpool's pursuit of a new defender – one that should be met with positivity by supporters.
What's the latest on Liverpool's defender pursuit?
According to Football Insider, the Reds are still actively working to bring in a new defender between now and the end of the month, but the actual name remains a mystery:
"Liverpool have not abandoned plans to sign a defender before the transfer window shuts despite prioritising the capture of a midfield anchorman, sources have told Football Insider.
"The Merseysiders are assessing potential defender signing options and, should an opportunity arise, they are expected to make a late move to bring in reinforcements.
"This comes while Jurgen Klopp and the club’s recruitment team are working overtime to sign the specialist defensive midfielder that Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea showed once again the club so badly need. Nevertheless, it is believed the Reds are keen to press on with a move for a new centre-back."
This is exactly what Liverpool fans will want to hear, with so many expecting a fair amount of business to be completed before the end of August. Their £110m bid for Moises Caicedo is proof that FSG have allowed plenty of money to be spent this summer, and those funds now need to go towards signing at least one defensive midfielder and a left-sided centre-back.
On the face of it, Inacio looks like the perfect option in the latter role, with the 21-year-old already one of Sporting's most important and exciting players, despite his tender years. He played 33 times in the Primeira Liga last season, completing 90% of his passes.
He has also only has a reported €45m (£38.8m) release clause, so he would come in as a relatively cheap option in the current climate, and there would still be plenty of money left over to spend on the midfield.
His third first-class century in just his fourth match, against a quality Tamil Nadu attack was a mark of the strides the 17-year old has taken since debuting earlier in the year
Arun Venugopal in Mumbai24-Oct-2017
ESPNcricinfo
As Prithvi Shaw walks out to do an interview, there is some good-natured ribbing from the dressing room balcony. The banterer is Suryakumar Yadav, one of Mumbai’s senior batsmen, but Shaw is undaunted. As he walks ahead, Shaw shouts out a suitably funny response that cracks up Suryakumar. Still only 17, Shaw’s “I-belong-here” assuredness seems a natural evolution from the time he made a hundred on first-class debut against Tamil Nadu at the start of the year. With his latest century – his third in four first-class matches – coming against the same opposition, Shaw has completed a small circle of sorts.His 155-ball 123 against an attack comprising R Ashwin, K Vignesh, Vijay Shankar and Rahil Shah is the latest pronouncement of the batting sensation he has grown to be. The intensity of his ambition is amplified when you hear him rue missing a double hundred. He may have started his career on a high note, but Shaw is pragmatic about the need to be consistent.”The more consistent I am, the better it will be for me,” he said at the end of the day’s play in Mumbai. “There are people watching too, like the selectors, and it is important to be consistent. If you score a hundred in one game and then don’t do much in the next three or four matches, then that hundred doesn’t mean anything. I have learnt from many experienced players in the Mumbai team as well as the India A team how to be consistent. That helps a lot to ensure that I don’t get into bad form.”Over the last 10 months, Shaw has embarked on a multi-dimensional cricketing journey, playing different formats and at different levels. He finished as the leading run-getter in the youth Tests against England with an aggregate of 250 at an average of 62.50, including three fifties from four innings. While his returns in the limited-overs series that followed were underwhelming in comparison, Shaw smashed a 154 against India Blue in the Duleep Trophy. After another brief lull against New Zealand A, Shaw opened the batting for the Board President’s XI side and made 66 against the touring New Zealand side. Being exposed to higher levels of cricket, Shaw felt, helped him grow as a cricketer.”Playing at the under-19 and India A levels, you get to learn a lot of things from the likes of Rahul [Dravid] sir,” he said. “Then, playing in the Ranji Trophy becomes a little easier. Mumbai coach Sameer [Dighe] sir has also helped. The biggest difference at the Ranji Trophy level is that of the pace you face. You don’t get as many quick bowlers at the Under-19 level. You do find some, but they are not as experienced as the ones you face in the Ranji Trophy.”Batting against Ashwin, who bowled a disciplined spell, was another vital aspect of Shaw’s learning process. It was, in fact, Ashwin who eventually dismissed him in the 54th over. “It was a good experience facing him,” he said. “To watch an experienced bowler like him bowl on a flat wicket was [a learning process]. I didn’t have any specific plans, and was just looking to play him normally like I played other spinners. But, Ashwin is a very experienced player and he knew very well what this wicket would do.”Skill-wise, Shaw has prospered as much from his adherence to batting routines as an overall improvement in fitness levels. “I think the more you practise batting, follow the drills, the better you get,” he said. “All this, along with the fitness routines, have helped me in the last one year. I never used to do so much gym-work in the past, so this has been helpful. If your body remains fit, everything else becomes easy.”
Leeds United have reportedly made an enquiry over a potential loan move for Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
What’s the latest Leeds transfer news?
The Whites and Daniel Farke are making preparations ahead of Sunday’s Championship opener against Cardiff City at Elland Road.
In the transfer market, a number of senior players have already left the club on loan, with two new faces arriving in Ethan Ampadu and Karl Darlow from Chelsea and Newcastle United respectively.
Further additions before Sunday are thought to be unlikely, but the club are actively pursuing targets, with one area being at centre-back.
Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…
Harwood-Bellis has been a player linked with a move to Yorkshire in recent days, and by the looks of things, the 49ers Enterprises and interim football advisor Nick Hammond have made a first move for the youngster.
LeedsLive shared a transfer update regarding Harwood-Bellis and a potential move to Elland Road in the last 48 hours. They claim that those at the Etihad would prefer a £15m permanent exit for the defender, with Everton and West Ham named as potential top-flight destinations.
However, no real progress has been made, and it is believed that ‘Hammond and Gary Penrice, a scout who previously worked with Hammond at Celtic, are understood to have lodged tentative enquiries with the player’s representatives’.
The report adds that it wouldn’t be a surprise if City decided to offer Harwood-Bellis a new deal to ‘protect his value in the short-term and perhaps suit a loan exit with an obligation to buy at the end of it’.
Harwood-Bellis is an out-and-out centre-back who has progressed through Man City’s academy, making eight senior appearances under Pep Guardiola.
The 21-year-old has had spells out on loan with Blackburn Rovers, Anderlecht and Burnley, though, with two of those seeing him work under Vincent Kompany, who praised the player's attitude at Turf Moor during the previous campaign.
“I think Taylor has done exactly what I’ve expected him to do. I’ve known Taylor since he was a very young footballer before he was even a first-team player, and his one outstanding attribute is his attitude.
"He really has an outstanding attitude and he’s got good habits of high-level professionals. His level is for everyone to see. I had him when he was at Anderlecht, and he’s a better player now.
"The player he is now today, give him another year or two, he’s going to be a much-improved player again because he has the right attitude.”
Also hailed as a fine "leader" by England U21s manager Lee Carsley, Harwood-Bellis went on to captain England to Euro U21 glory this summer and appears to be going from strength to strength with a career-high €25m Transfermarkt valuation.
He has experience of winning the second tier with Burnley last season, so he could be the perfect addition alongside Charlie Cresswell, Liam Cooper and Pascal Struijk, giving Farke the balance of two right-footed and two left-footed central defenders. A deal could prove tricky due to Premier League interest, but by the looks of things, a move could be one to watch.
Chelsea are "moving concretely towards" signing the French striker and wonderkid Elye Wahi after his breakout season for Ligue 1 side Montpellier, claims journalist Rudy Galetti.
Is Elye Wahi joining Chelsea this summer?
After selling enough talent to create an entire starting eleven of Premier League quality players over the last month or so, Chelsea look to have finally turned their focus to signings and bringing new faces to the club this summer.
They have already welcomed a few new names to Stamford Bridge thus far, with Nicolas Jackson joining from Villarreal, Diego Moreira from Benfica and Christopher Nkuku from RB Leipzig, who had agreed a deal to join the club earlier in the year but couldn't be officially announced until the season's conclusion.
Even with these attacking additions, the Pensioners are looking to add at least one more number nine to the squad before the new campaign gets underway.
The club were initially interested in signing Juventus' Serbian forward Dusan Vlahovic, but with the news that Paris Saint-Germain have agreed personal terms with the forward, they have instead turned their attention to Montpellier's 20-year-old striker, Wahi.
According to transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are now "advancing in talks" with the Ligue 1 outfit over the youngster's move, with plans to loan him out in the first year of his contract to get him more experience of first-team football.
The Daily Mail have also reported that the Blues are closing in on a deal for the player but that Serie A giants Inter Milan are also interested in bringing the young star to the San Siro next season, so the West Londoners better get a move on if they want to seal this deal.
What has Rudy Galetti said about Chelsea's striker search?
Galetti explained that the Blues were stepping up their striker search and that the Montpellier man was indeed a player they were looking at as one of the potential options.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said:"Chelsea have started to explore alternatives, and now Wahi is gaining a position on their strikers list.
"The Montpellier player could leave for around €35m (£30m) and Chelsea are moving concretely towards him. It cannot be excluded that the player could also go on loan somewhere."
How good is Elye Wahi?
There is a reason so many top clubs are circling the 20-year-old striker, and that's because he had an outstanding breakout year with Montpellier last season, only being slightly overshadowed for those outside of France by the performances of fellow youngster Folarin Balogun.
In his 33 league games for La Paillade last year, the 6 foot forward scored 19 goals and provided five assists, giving him a goal contribution every 1.3 games, seeing him earn an average match rating of 6.87, per WhoScored.
Although impressive for his age group, his underlying numbers aren't quite as good as you might expect given his output and could suggest an element of good fortune last season.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The counterargument to that is that he is just an incredibly clinical striker, which could undoubtedly be the case; it will just take another season or two to see which it is.
According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the dynamic forward sits in the top 7% for non-penalty goals, the top 23% for progressive carries, the top 30% for assists, the top 31% for progressive passes received, the top 35% for successful take-ons, and the top 36% for non-penalty expected goal, all per 90.
He's been a player that scouts have been aware of for some time, with Antonio Mango saying in 2022:
"He's a superstar, remember the name."
Should Chelsea decide to sign Wahi, it could be a decision that pays dividends in years to come, but it might be too soon to call it yet.
An update has emerged on Southampton and their plans to bolster their set of defensive options ahead of the start of the 2023/24 season…
What's the latest Southampton transfer news?
According to Football Insider, the Saints have made contact with Everton to enquire about a possible swoop for central defender Mason Holgate this summer.
The report claims that the Championship side are eyeing up a deal to sign the £72k-per-week enforcer on loan and that Sean Dyche has agreed to allow him to move on.
It states that Premier League side Sheffield United and fellow second tier outfit Leeds United have also contacted the Toffees to explore a move for the 26-year-old ace.
How good is Mason Holgate?
The Everton enforcer is a player with the potential to be an excellent performer for the Saints if Russell Martin can help him to rediscover his best form.
It has been reported by the Daily Mail that Holgate is being targeted by Southampton as a possible replacement for Duje Caleta-Car, who is attracting interest from Ligue 1 side Lyon, and his displays at Goodison Park in the past suggest that he has the scope to become a dream heir to the Croatian titan.
Southampton centre-back Duje Caleta-Car.
The English gem has averaged a dismal Sofascore rating of 6.65 or lower over the last two Premier League seasons but his form throughout the 2019/20 campaign suggests that the quality is there for him to be a superb player.
Holgate averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.01 that year, which would have placed him third in the Saints team last term, as he made 2.9 tackles and interceptions per game and won 63% of his individual duels at the back, whilst the talented battler did not make a single error leading to a shot or goal for the opposition.
This shows that the ex-West Bromwich Albion loanee does have the ability to deliver consistently brilliant performances at Premier League level, which suggests that the potential is there for him to be an outstanding performer in the Championship.
A drop down to the second tier could help the defender to get back to his best and a loan would mean that Southampton are not burdened with him in the long-term if he fails to recapture his previous form.
Holgate could, therefore, be a dream replacement for Caleta-Car if the former Marseille colossus joins Lyon as his statistics during the 2019/20 season are more impressive than the current St. Mary's defender's from last term.
The 26-year-old warrior averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.90 across 13 league matches for the club and won 57% of his duels, although he did make one mistake that led to a shot for the other team.
Only four Saints players averaged a higher Sofascore rating and this suggests that the £52k-per-week "leader" – as once hailed by the Liverpool ECHO journalist Sam Carroll – was one of the team's top performers, which is why it is crucial for Martin to bring in a quality replacement for him before the deadline.
Holgate's form for Everton in the past shows that the potential is there for him to be that player, which is why the Southampton head coach could land a dream heir to Caleta-Car at centre-back with this possible swoop for the English talent.