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Aston Villa and NSWE are interested in signing a “quality” £30 million player with the same agent as Ross Barkley, according to a new report.

Aston Villa transfer news

Villa boss Unai Emery will have his eyes on January as it is an opportunity for him to once again strengthen his team ahead of the second half of the season. The Midlands side still have plenty to play for in the Premier League and will also hope they will be playing Champions League knockout football come the end of January.

While incomings may be the priority, Villa and NSWE could have a headache on their hands, as Napoli are interested in signing Jhon Duran. The Italian side want to bring in a player who can be a “sidekick” to current frontman Romelu Lukaku, and Duran is the player they have their eyes on. Villa chiefs are not looking to sell the Colombia international, but an offer between £28-33 million could test their resolve, as talks with intermediaries have already begun.

Aston Villa now open contract talks with 21 y/o loan star Filip Marschall

Unai Emery is keen to tie down a promising Aston Villa player.

By
Brett Worthington

Dec 18, 2024

On a positive note for the Midlands side, they have opened talks with young goalkeeper Filip Marschall over a new contract. The 21-year-old has been impressing this season while on loan at Crewe Alexandra, and given that he is highly rated at Villa Park, they are keen to secure his long-term future. Marschall is under contract until 2027, but he could soon find himself in the first team picture.

Aston Villa now interested in signing “quality” £30m player

As well as looking to tie Marschall down to a new contract, Aston Villa are interested in signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea, according to Caught Offside. The midfielder only joined the Blues in the summer transfer window, but it is a move that has yet to get going.

Dewsbury-Hall, who has been dubbed “quality” by Graeme Bailey, was a key player under Enzo Maresca last season at Leicester City. The midfielder was a key part of their promotion, so it wasn’t a surprise that the Italian took him to Stamford Bridge, but what is a surprise is that the midfielder has hardly featured.

The 26-year-old has played 14 games across all competitions this season, but only five have come in the league, and all have come from the bench. Most of Dewsbury-Hall’s minutes have come in the UEFA Conference League, where he has been a regular all season. His time at Chelsea appears to be coming to an end, as this report states that the Blues are open to offers for Dewsbury-Hall and are keen to recoup the £30 million they paid in the summer.

Aston Villa are among the number of Premier League teams looking to sign the midfielder in January. They face competition from the likes of Manchester United, Leicester City, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, and Rangers. What may give Villa the edge in the race is that Dewsbury-Hall’s agent, Wasserman, is also the same agent for Barkley, who joined Villa in the summer.

Neymar missed another match for Santos, but the Brazilian was oddly present for the pre-match team talk before leaving the stadium ahead of kick-off.

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• Neymar currently out injured for Santos
• Attends pre-match talk but leaves before kick-off
• Neymar wears Batman-themed outfit

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Neymar has been out injured since March 10, as the Brazilian picked up a hamstring injury. The former Barcelona winger has missed a total of three games for the Serie A side so far, but also missed out on Brazil's World Cup qualifiers against Colombia and Argentina.

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• Raul Baretta (via: @liberta___depre on X)
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  On Sunday evening, Neymar had to remain off Santos' squad list for their clash against Bahia due to his injury. However, the superstar made a point of attending the pre-match team talk to support his teammates. Neymar turned up to the team-talk in a Batman-themed outfit with a Batman shirt, black cargo pants and yellow boots.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Despite having made his way to Santos' Urbano Caldeira Stadium, Neymar decided not to stay and watch the match as per Brazilian journalist . The Selecao captain instead opted to head home even before the match kicked off.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?

  The former Al-Hilal superstar will be hoping to return to action as soon as possible, as a potential move back to Europe in the summer could hinge on him staying fit and in proper form. Speaking after the game, his manager Pedro Caixinha said: "Neymar is our captain and he made a point of talking to the squad before the game. He did an incredible job of rebalancing his muscles and will be with us on Tuesday to begin preparing for the game against Fluminense."

Liverpool were supposed to collapse when Jurgen Klopp left. Like a house of cards. Rivals wanted the Reds cast back into the depths of mediocrity after their prosperous period. Liverpool had had their heyday, and it was time for some new blood to challenge indomitable Manchester City.

How wrong they were. To be fair, Liverpool’s own fanbase has been flummoxed by the ridiculous football being played under Arne Slot’s management. Four points clear at the pole of the Premier League at Christmas – and with a game in hand too.

Tottenham Hotspur have been hailed for their entertaining football. Ange Postecoglou knows how to raise the volume from the dugout. The problem for those of a Spurs persuasion is he doesn’t really control which area of the crowd that noise will come from.

Liverpool pounced on Tottenham’s chaos and won 6-3 on Sunday afternoon. It was beautiful, beguiling, brilliant. The forwards were in full swing.

Mohamed Salah was the main man – no surprises there – but Luis Diaz returned to Premier League form brilliantly with a two-goal performance down N17.

Luis Diaz's striking success

Diaz, 27, assumed the centre-forward spot at Tottenham with Diogo Jota being managed after a long injury and Darwin Nunez’s inconsistency convincing Slot that he needed to be benched.

Diaz isn’t a natural striker but his movements and trickiness make him a slippery customer with Cody Gakpo and Salah flanking. If you can only say one thing for Slot, you’d have to praise his tactical brilliance.

As per Sofascore, Diaz complemented his two-goal return with two key passes and success in his one attempted dribble. He’s dynamic and difficult to defend against, but not the solution at number nine in the long run.

Liverpool eyeing new forward

Liverpool will need to consider a new striker in several months, for Nunez has only scored four goals across 22 outings in 2024/25 and Jota, as stated, cannot be trusted on the fitness front.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

As per Football Insider, FSG have found their dream solution in Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro. The 23-year-old has been excellent since arriving on the south coast in 2023 and is also catching Arsenal’s eye.

Liverpool’s recruitment team are understood to have discussed Joao Pedro in recent transfer conversations, and it may well be that he is right at the top of the shopping list, with a bid now being plotted.

However, the Seagulls are no pushovers and will look to collect £60m for their talisman’s departure, but on the basis of the evidence, his arrival would be worth the financial blow.

Why Joao Pedro could be better than Luis Diaz

Diaz is wonderfully electric, but the problem with his energy is that it can’t be channelled into something fluent and even. Instead, it’s bumpy and slanted, leaving Liverpool with a world-class talent prone to lapses.

Before his north London brace, the Colombian had gone three months – ten fixtures – since a top-flight goal, but then with 11 strikes from 23 matches across all competitions, he’s hardly flattering to deceive.

Even so, Brighton’s South American star has the quality to take his place when the time comes. Indeed, Diaz’s tentative contract discussions with Liverpool over a new contract have reportedly provided no fruit so far, with the respective parties believed to have ‘disagreements’.

Barcelona are long-time admirers and it feels like next summer could be the perfect time to cash in while the 27-year-old’s stock is high.

Joao Pedro must be his replacement, already a potent force. As per FBref, Joao Pedro ranks among the top 11% of Premier League forwards this season for goals scored, the top 16% for assists and the top 12% for aerial battles won per 90, emphasising not only his potency but his physicality too.

He’s scored four goals and assisted three more from just 11 Premier League games (nine starts). Last season, he notched 20 strikes from 44 matches across all competitions, impressing after his £30m transfer from Watford.

Diaz is a showman, one of the league’s great entertainers, but Pedro also carries that special something that raises roofs. He has recently been described as a “really magical” player by Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard.

The fact is that Pedro is already producing performances that carry underlying data that outdoes that of Diaz. Liverpool’s winger slash forward doesn’t actually produce the highest output concerning his ball-carrying and ball-playing, hitting a similar vein of creativity and failing to match Brighton’s man in terms of combativeness and defensive strength.

Let’s not forget that the Brighton attacker is only 23, and while he would cost a pretty penny to bring to Anfield, Liverpool would be investing in a talent capable of hitting stratospheric heights across the seasons to come.

Ultimately, Liverpool are going to need to address their problem at number nine, with Nunez unable to prove his composure and clinical edge thus far and Diaz probably not the long-term solution.

Diaz is a first-rate player, but he’s prone to blips and is most naturally effective as a left winger anyway.

In Pedro, Liverpool would secure an upgrade in the striker’s seat while bolstering their left flank too, given that the Brazilian has played ample football on the wing.

Slot has taken Klopp’s gifted group of players and sharpened them to a fine attacking point. Brighton’s main man would only go from strength to strength on Merseyside, and FSG need to make it happen.

Liverpool lining up "monster" £178k-p/w Robertson upgrade

Arne Slot’s high-flying Liverpool side will need to make some repairs in 2025.

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 21, 2024

This season was supposed to be a campaign in which Ange Postecoglou ironed out the mistakes of his swashbuckling Tottenham Hotspur side and led them to a trophy of some kind.

Instead, the Australian has seen his team maintain their entertaining style of play, but if anything, become even more inconsistent and, thanks to a swathe of injuries combined with poor form, they find themselves in the second half of the Premier League table and desperately searching for their next win.

In the manager’s defence, there is still a chance for them to win some silverware this year, but based on their performances over the last few months, that feels like a distinctly distant prospect.

Moreover, one of the team’s best players this season, who has been genuinely brilliant at times, is now supposedly a target for a Champions League giant, and could leave in a move akin to Gareth Bale’s departure in 2013.

Gareth Bale's Spurs departure

Now, when it comes to the best Spurs players of the last 15 to 20 years, most fans might name stars like Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Luka Modrić, but for us, Bale stands above the rest.

The utterly sensational Welshman endured a torrid start to life in North London that included a severe ankle injury and a brutal winless run that saw Sir Alex Ferguson tell Harry Redknapp to drop him, but after a few years and a shift from full-back to winger, he exploded.

Over his first stint with the club, the Cardiff-born superstar made 203 appearances, in which he scored 55 goals and provided 50 assists, but it was in the 12/13 campaign, his final one with the club before moving to Real Madrid, that he cemented himself as a world-class attacker.

In just 44 appearances that year, the Welsh legend scored 26 goals and provided ten assists for the Lilywhites, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.22 games.

Such a rate of return saw Los Blancos spend a world record £85m on him that summer, and he went on to win everything there is to win at club level in Spain.

While fans didn’t begrudge Bale for his decision to leave them for such a giant of the game, it was a move that left them looking for a suitable replacement, which it could be said they never found, and now, based on reports, they could be set to lose another of their best players to a European giant.

The Spurs star who could leave

So, to get straight to the point, the Spurs star who could leave as soon as this month is none other than Dejan Kulusevski.

According to a report from the Italian publication MilanLive, the Swedish international has been in contact with his fellow countryman Zlatan Ibrahimović, who is a senior advisor to the UCL giants and is intent on bringing the 24-year-old to the San Siro this year.

The report has even more bad news for the Tottenham faithful, as it claims that the former Juventus ace is keen on the move as Postecoglou’s side continue to struggle this season.

The Rossoneri are supposedly keen to sign the dynamic attacker on a short-term loan this month before paying a fee in the summer, although Spurs are set to demand at least €50m, which is about £41m.

Now, akin to Bale’s move to Real over a decade ago, this would be a severe blow to the club’s attacking options as the “world-class” international, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has thrived in both midfield and on the wings this season.

Across all competitions this year, the Stockholm-born maestro has made 28 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists, meaning he’s currently averaging a goal involvement every 1.86 games.

Ultimately, if this report is accurate, then this transfer could be just as damaging to the team as Bale’s was in 2013, as while Kulusevski is not quite on the same level as him, he’s arguably just as important to this current Spurs team.

Therefore, Daniel Levy and Co must do what they can to ensure this is a deal that does not happen.

Move over Moore: Spurs chasing £29m ace who will be one of the world's best

The “special” talent could develop into a world-beater with Spurs.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jan 2, 2025

Bayern Munich have been urged to sign Jack Grealish as the Manchester City star would "bring flair" to Harry Kane's Bundesliga side.

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• Grealish's Man City future in doubt
• Scored against Leicester to end goal drought
• Hamann believes he should be signed by Bayern

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Since completing his high-profile switch from Aston Villa to Manchester City in 2021, Grealish has shown occasional brilliance but has struggled to maintain a consistent level of performance under Pep Guardiola. With competition for places intensifying at the Etihad, the 28-year-old has seen his influence diminish, prompting whispers of a potential exit in search of a more prominent role elsewhere.

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  WHAT HAMANN SAID

  Former Bayern midfielder, Dietmar Hamann, believes the City winger still has plenty to offer and could rediscover his spark in Germany.

  "Grealish is a player I’d really like to see at Bayern Munich. I think he has still got unlimited potential," he said in an interview with . "He has only had one standout season in four years at Manchester City, I feel like he is a free spirit both on and off the pitch and you have to let him have freedom."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  While Grealish has often operated from wide areas for both club and country, Hamann believes his best performances have come when deployed in a central playmaking role.

  "The question at Bayern would be where he plays, I think he is at his best just behind the centre forward as a number 10 even though he has played a lot out wide, but he was outstanding there for England against Ireland," he added.
  "Bayern do have Jamal Musiala there, but I think he is a player that you have to put in his best position because he is that good. It’s also a question of if they are able to afford him, but he would bring flair to the Bundesliga for sure."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GREALISH & MANCHESTER CITY?

  As speculation swirls about his long-term future at Manchester City, Grealish continues to fight for his place in a squad brimming with attacking talent. His performances this season have not matched the lofty expectations set upon his arrival, and with City competing on multiple fronts, Guardiola may demand more from the former Villa captain. City are scheduled to face Crystal Palace on April 12, and all eyes will be on whether Grealish features in the match.

Lyon’s derby date with rivals Saint-Etienne was suspended for 40 minutes after an assistant referee was hit by a projectile thrown from the crowd.

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• Arch-rivals went head-to-head
• Coin tossed towards the pitch
• Match official required treatment

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Lyon, fresh from their dramatic Europa League defeat to Manchester United, found themselves trailing inside 10 minutes as Lucas Stassin broke the deadlock in the Derby Rhone-Alpes. He was shown a red card in the 23rd minute, which was downgraded to a yellow following a VAR review.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The away support at Guichard Stadium were less than impressed by what they were witnessing, with an angry reaction leading to a coin being tossed from the stands which struck one of the match officials.

• WHAT THE MATCH DELEGATE SAID

  The game was suspended shortly before half-time, with assistant referee Mehdi Rahmouni requiring treatment. After half an hour of uncertainty, match delegate Noel Mannino told reporters: “This projectile certainly came from between the Paret stand and the Henri-Point stand, so from the visitors' sector. He (Rahmouni) decided to return to the locker room because he was a little dizzy. We called a doctor to check on him. He is not injured. He took Doliprane. After a few minutes of rest, he decided he could resume the game.”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  A dose of paracetamol allowed Rahmouni to return to the field. The contest resumed at 10:15pm local time and was eventually played to a finish, with Mannino having noted that "if a projectile were to be thrown again, we would have a definitive stoppage of the match".

As Brighton & Hove Albion look to complete their transfer genius once again, those at The Amex have reportedly set their sights on signing a Premier League winner for Fabian Hurzeler.

Brighton transfer news

The Seagulls rarely get things wrong in the transfer market. In fact, they’ve arguably stolen more headlines than most for how they seem to get it right time and time again, even as they’re forced to restructure in the technical area and on the pitch.

What sums them up more than anything is just how seamlessly Hurzeler slotted straight in after replacing Roberto De Zerbi and becoming the youngest manager in Premier League history.

Brighton open talks to sign next Thiago Silva in £25m deal over Real Madrid

He’s one for the future…

By
Tom Cunningham

Jan 8, 2025

Now, with the January transfer window now open, it looks as though Brighton could act once again if the right opportunity presents itself. It looked as though, for example, the Seagulls had set their sights on Vitor Reis only for Manchester City to since provide tough competition in pursuit of the young Brazilian centre-back.

City’s interest suggests that Brighton were certainly right to target the 18-year-old in what could still be a repeat of past deals for the likes of Julio Enciso and Alexis Mac Alliser. This time around, however, those in Sussex could look closer to home for a young talent.

According to Sky Sports, Brighton are now plotting a move to sign Harvey Elliott from Liverpool if his current struggle for game time under new manager Arne Slot continues in the next two transfer windows.

After playing a key part in Jurgen Klopp’s final two seasons, Elliott’s ill-timed injury at the beginning of Slot’s tenure has left him low down in the pecking order and perhaps pondering whether he has a place at Anfield for the first time.

"Incredible" Elliott could take Brighton up a level

Still somehow just 21 years old despite already being a Premier League winner and a player who’s been in or around the Liverpool squad for three seasons now, Elliott could quickly prove to be the Reds’ greatest transfer regret if they allow Brighton to come swooping in. The Seagulls, meanwhile, would be landing a potential game-changer.

Whilst he is yet to get a consistent opportunity under Slot, the young midfielder played a key role under Klopp and earned the German’s praise in 2022 when he returned from injury with a bang against Cardiff City in the FA Cup.

Speaking to reporters, as relayed by The Guardian, Klopp said: “Coming on is a great step back, scoring the goal makes it a proper fairytale. Harvey Elliott’s goal was very touching. I have known him for a while now, I know what an incredible talent he is and an incredible kid he is. When we lost him at Leeds (leg injury), it was one of the hardest moments of my career.”

Arsenal are ready to put no less than £59 million on the table to sign a “crazy” Serie A superstar who has scored 14 goals this season, according to a new report.

Arsenal forced into market after more forward injuries

Arsenal have had a difficult few weeks. After losing the first-leg of their EFL Cup semifinal clash with Newcastle United, Mikel Arteta’s side were then dumped out of the FA Cup by struggling Manchester United on penalties.

A win over North London rivals Tottenham followed, but at the weekend, the Gunners again came unstuck, drawing 2-2 with Aston Villa in the Premier League.

To add insult to injury, it was confirmed last week that striker Gabriel Jesus, who had been in a rich vein of form with six goals in his last five games, sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the defeat to United. The Brazilian is set to undergo surgery for the injury, and is now expected to miss the rest of the season.

In wake of Jesus’ season-ending injury, Arteta confirmed that the Gunners will be looking to sign a new forward this month.

“My answer doesn’t change,” Arteta said last week when asked about signing a new forward. “We are actively looking in the market to improve the squad and that has been since day one.

“We would be naive not to do that because it is an opportunity, always, to evolve the team and improve the squad, and especially with the circumstances that we have. So yes, we are looking and we are trying, and let’s see what we are able to do.”

He's better than Sesko: Arsenal exploring move for "monster" striker

Arsenal are in desperate need of signing a centre-forward in the January transfer window.

1

By
Matt Dawson

Jan 20, 2025

Arsenal ready to bid for Inter star

One striker who is reportedly interesting Arsenal is Inter Milan and France star Marcus Thuram. The 27-year-old has 14 goals and six assists in 26 games for Inter this season, and according to TV Play, via Sports Witness, Arsenal are now prepared to table as much as £59 million for him.

The publication says Thuram is Arteta’s “big dream” but that Inter won’t be willing to part ways with him in January, meaning the Spaniard will have to wait until the summer to land his man.

Thuram, who joined Inter in the summer of 2023 from Borussia Monchengladbach, has previously been described as “crazy” by his former Gladbach teammate Denis Zakaria.

“He is a great guy, a little crazy maybe, but what he brings to the pitch is phenomenal,” said the Swiss midfielder.

Wolfsburg sporting director Marcel Schäfer has also called him a “world class striker,” while Thuram’s ex-Gladbach boss Daniel Farke once described him as “an exceptional player of the highest international class”.

Big, strong, fast and a clinical finisher, Thuram would certainly be a fine acquisition for any club, let alone Arsenal, who are in dire need of a new striker, and not just because of Jesus’ injury. Kai Havertz has yet to prove he has what he takes to lead the line and score regular goals for the Gunners. Thuram has been doing exactly that for Inter.

Lozano last featured for the Mexican national team in March 2024 during the CONCACAF Nations League

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• He has earned 70 caps and scored 18 goals

• Lozano’s emotional connection to Pachuca remains strong

• He played 149 matches, found the net 43 times with Tuzos

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Hirving “Chucky” Lozano hasn’t ruled out a potential reunion with Pachuca this summer, as the Mexican side prepares to compete in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. Currently playing for San Diego FC in the MLS, the Mexican winger made it clear that if his club allows it, he’d gladly don the jersey of the team where his professional journey began.

  “For me, the most important thing is to speak with my current club. If they’re supportive, I’d be happy to go,” Lozano said of playing in the CWC. “But if not, I’ll stay focused on my responsibilities here, keep improving, and be ready for the matches we have coming up.”

  The 2025 edition of the Club World Cup marks a historic shift, featuring 32 teams with group stages and knockout rounds. As part of the updated rules, each participating club is allowed to reinforce their squad with up to six additional players. This opens the door for in-form stars such as Lozano, James Rodríguez, and Alexis Vega – whose clubs didn’t qualify – to potentially join competing teams as reinforcements.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Lozano’s emotional connection to Pachuca remains strong. It’s where he took his first steps as a professional footballer, and the idea of returning, even temporarily, holds sentimental value.

  “It’s the club that gave me everything,” he’s said in the past.

  Still, despite the allure of returning to his roots, Lozano’s main objective this summer lies with . He hopes to be included in Mexico’s squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, a tournament he values.

  “Honestly, either opportunity would be incredible,” he admitted. “But I’ve always dreamed of wearing the national team jersey. If I’m called up to the Gold Cup, I’ll be thrilled. And if not, and Pachuca gives me a shot at the Club World Cup, I’d embrace it with the same passion.”

• Getty Images Sport
  

  WHAT HIRVING LOZANO SAID

  The San Diego FC forward didn’t hide his disappointment over being left out of Mexico’s squad for the 2024 Copa América, a decision made under current national team manager Jaime Lozano.

  "Honestly, I didn’t like not being called up for the Copa América,” Chucky admitted. “At that time, just a year ago, I had won the league in Italy, then moved to the Netherlands and won the league there too. I’m the only Mexican player to be a champion in different European countries. So, tell me – how could I not be upset about missing that tournament?”

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  DID YOU KNOW?

  Lozano last featured for the Mexican national team in March 2024 during the CONCACAF Nations League. He came off the bench in the semifinal against Panama and started in the final, playing all 90 minutes in the loss to the United States. Since then, the winger has been absent from El Tri’s setup, missing a total of 11 matches – six international friendlies, all three group stage games of the 2024 Copa América, and the Nations League quarterfinals.

  Despite that recent gap, Lozano remains a key figure in the national team’s recent history. Over the course of his international career, he has earned 70 caps and scored 18 goals.

Newcastle have been warned star striker Alexander Isak "belongs at a higher level" and should consider moving to Arsenal or Chelsea.

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• Isak playing starring role for Newcastle
• Has been linked with summer exit
• Gus Poyet thinks it's time for Isak to go

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Isak has enjoyed a brilliant season for Newcastle and has lifted his first piece of silverware with the club after helping fire the Magpies to victory in the Carabao Cup. The Swede has also netted 21 goals in 30 Premier League games which has led to speculation he will be targeted by Premier League rivals such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in the summer transfer window.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Newcastle are believed to value Isak at around £120 million which would make any summer deal extremely difficult for the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea. However, Blues star Gus Poyet believes the striker should look for a summer exit as he deserves to be playing at a higher level.

• WHAT POYET SAID

  Poyet told : "With all due respect to Newcastle, Alexander Isak belongs at a higher level. He will be on the radar of every big club in the world, there are many opportunities for him if he wants to leave the club. I love him as a player, as he just gets on with his job and performs week in, week out for Newcastle and that’s why he has the interest of so many big sides. He can go anywhere, you look at a team like Arsenal, they will be on the lookout for a centre forward, he would be a brilliant option for them. I’m biased, of course, but I would love to see at Chelsea. I have known him since his time at Real Sociedad – his characteristics, his movement and his finishing is sublime. He is brilliant and is exactly what the club needs. You could say this about any club in world football though, as he is one of the best around."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR ISAK

  Isak's future is likely to make plenty of headlines over the summer, but in the meantime he will be hoping to secure Champions League football for Newcastle next season. The Magpies currently sit in fourth place in the table and take on Ipswich Town next on Saturday.