West Ham Could Replicate Tevez Success With £7.5m Star

West Ham United may have plenty of money available this summer thanks to the imminent sale of Declan Rice, but that does not mean the Hammers will not still be looking for some bargain buys.

What is the latest West Ham United transfer news?

Rice's £105m move to Arsenal is reportedly as good as finalised, meaning David Moyes will have to bring in at least one new midfielder this summer while also looking to strengthen in other areas.

Everton's Amadou Onana is thought to be high on Moyes' list of targets to replace Rice, with that deal expected to set the Hammers back around £50m.

According to The Sun, the Hammers are also lining up a move for in-demand teenage winger Dario Osorio from Chilean top-flight side Universidad de Chile for a reasonable fee of £7.5m.

However, a number of other Premier League teams have been credited with an interest in Osorio, namely Wolverhampton Wanderers, while AC Milan are also said to be weighing up an offer.

Who is West Ham United target Dario Osorio?

Osorio may only have made his senior debut for Universidad de Chile in April last year, but it did not take long for him to earn his first two caps for Chile's senior team.

The 19-year-old has made 46 appearances for the South American club, 37 of those coming in the league, during which time he has scored eight goals.

Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig describes Osorio as a "flamboyant winger" in terms of his playing style, one who has good pace and the ability to dribble and create, which has earned the youngster comparisons to Angel Di Maria.

That may be a fair call, but it is another star from Argentina that West Ham fans will be hoping Osorio can replicate. While not strictly the same type of player, Osorio will look to follow in the steps of a certain Carlos Tevez should he make the move to East London.

Tevez was signed by West Ham from Corinthians in 2006 for his first foray into football outside of South America, with Javier Mascherano also joining in a big transfer coup.

West Ham United manager David Moyes.

The fan favourite was 22 when he made his Premier League debut, meaning he is a few years further down the line in terms of his development then compared to Osorio now.

In his solitary season at Upton Park, Tevez scored seven goals in 26 Premier League games, including the only goal in a 1-0 win on the final day of the campaign at Manchester United to secure West Ham's stay in the top flight.

The now-39-year-old was named the club's Player of the Year before departing for Manchester United and then, controversially, Manchester City.

Osorio has a lot to do if he is to have a similar impact at West Ham and indeed in European football in the same way as Tevez, but the Irons certainly have proven success in getting it right when recruiting players from that part of the world.

Chelsea Exploring Move For £28k-p/w "Magnificent Talent"

Chelsea are now exploring a summer move for Lyon midfielder Rayan Cherki, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

What's the latest Chelsea transfer news?

Chelsea have identified a number of targets to bolster their midfield, in light of the seemingly imminent departure of Mason Mount, with Manchester United recently agreeing a £60m deal and offering the England international a five-year contract.

One such player is Southampton's Romeo Lavia, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reporting the Blues are "monitoring" the 19-year-old, although they are not yet in "active talks" over a deal for the youngster, who's also wanted by Arsenal and Liverpool.

Other targets include Celta Vigo's Gabri Veiga, who has been discussed internally as a potential signing, and Real Madrid's Federico Valverde, having recently lodged an enquiry regarding a summer deal for the Uruguay international.

Many of Chelsea's potential targets are young, up-and-coming players, and that is also the case with the latest player being linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge, 19-year-old Lyon midfielder Cherki.

Journalist Simon Phillips has recently detailed that the Blues are exploring a move for the youngster. However, the deal is seemingly in the very early stages, with contact yet to be made with Lyon.

Back in May, football scout Jacek Kulig claimed the attacking midfielder has a "huge future ahead", so the news he could potentially move to Chelsea is sure to be very exciting for fans.

Who is Rayan Cherki?

Also hailed as a "magnificent talent" by Kulig, the Frenchman is a graduate of the Lyon youth academy, who has managed to cement himself as a key player for the French side over the course of the past few seasons.

The Lyon-born maestro has already made 102 appearances for the first team, most commonly being utilised as an attacking midfielder. However, he has displayed his versatility by featuring on both wings, as well as at centre-forward.

Last season was the starlet's best campaign to date, amassing a total of four goals and six assists in 34 Ligue 1 appearances.

Mauricio Pochettino

Over the past year, the £28k-per-week midfielder ranks in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons per 90, when compared to his positional peers, showcasing his dribbling ability, while he also places in the 97th percentile for shot-creating actions.

Chelsea will be disappointed to be losing Mount, but Cherki is showing huge potential at Lyon and he could go on to be a fantastic long-term replacement for the 24-year-old.

£340m Release Clause: Arsenal Could Sign A New Martinelli

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing Barcelona sensation Aleix Garrido, as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his side that challenged for the Premier League title last season.

The Gunners had the joint-youngest squad last campaign, with an average age of 24.4 on par with Southampton.

Arteta and Edu could maintain the trend of nurturing youngsters to world-class ability by signing Garrido, who has a talent that’s valued highly by his club.

Placing a €400m (£340m) release clause in the contract of a teenager makes it known the level of potential that’s predicted.

And indeed, it's Arsenal who could pounce on that potential with it reported by Spanish outlet Sport last week that the Gunners are one of the clubs interested in the 19-year-old starlet, stating that the north Londoners understand the player’s ‘capacity for growth’.

Having risen through La Masia, Garrido made his La Liga debut for his boyhood club last season, playing nine minutes against Elche in April in a memorable moment for the youngster.

What could Aleix Garrido offer to Arsenal?

Named as being part of an “extremely talented” group at Barcelona by talent scout Jacek Kulig, the teenager could thrive in Arteta’s side that promotes and showcases its budding talent.

The central midfielder excels in ball playing and vision, areas that are attributive to his six assists and one goal in just half a dozen appearances in last campaign’s UEFA Youth League.

His efforts saw him lauded as a "wonderful" talent by scout Antonio Mango, equipped with an innate passing ability that sees him ‘stand out’ amongst others.

While his CV is short of senior European appearances, it wouldn't be the first time that Arsenal have found a hidden star.

gabriel-martinelli-arsenal-mikel-arteta-premier-league

In 2019, the Gunners secured the signing of 18-year-old Gabriel Martinelli from Brazilian outfit Ituano in a deal reported to be worth around £6m.

Fast forward four years and the winger is valued at €150m (£129m) and ending the Premier League season with 20 goal involvements in 36 appearances as Arsenal’s hero.

The left-winger eased his way to the top with his electrifying performances on the flank, cementing himself as a firm starter in Arteta’s side but also one of the most terrorising attackers in the league.

Placing trust in a young player and allowing them room to trial first-team football is something that has benefited the Gunners greatly, with both Martinelli and Bukayo Saka making their presence known in the side at such a young age.

Arsenal could follow suit by signing Garrido, who too could succeed in the youthful aura at the Emirates, in a team surrounded by young players that have been trusted with the task to take the club forward.

Man Utd Eye Swoop For "Unpredictable" £30m Wizard

It is no real secret that Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is seeking to sign a new centre-forward and midfielder this summer, with the Dutchman no doubt hoping to fashion a side that will be capable of competing for the top honours next season.

Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is the news that the former Ajax boss is also said to be targetting a new left-winger – as per The Telegraph – despite already having the likes of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho on the club's books.

That desire for a new addition on the flanks may appear logical amid the news that Sancho – who has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur – could be among those to depart this summer, while Rashford could potentially find a new home through the middle, having regularly been deployed as a number nine in the 2022/23 season.

That would then leave Ten Hag needing further competition for the teenage Garnacho, hence why a new addition could be on the cards over the coming weeks, with reports in Italy suggesting that Juventus' Federico Chiesa is among those being targetted by United.

The belief is that the Old Trafford outfit have a long-standing interest in the Italy international, with the 25-year-old also set to prove an attractive option amid the suggestion that he could be available for as little as €35m (£30m).

Should Man United sign Federico Chiesa?

That price tag does appear rather minimal for a player who has registered 42 goals and assists in just 94 games during his time in Turin, with the 40-cap ace having previously chipped in 34 goals and 25 assists in 153 outings for his former employers, Fiorentina.

While there may be concerns over Chiesa's fitness record – having been hampered by injury since returning from an ACL blow last year – the £153k-per-week speedster could prove an astute addition for Ten Hag, particularly due to his apparent likeness to Napoli sensation, Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, as per FBref.

Napoli's Kvicha Kvaratskhelia

The similarity between the pair can be shown by the fact that they have the ability to bamboozle defenders on the flanks, with the Juve star having been lauded as "unpredictable" by former Udinese man, Antonio Di Natale, while Kvaratskhelia has been hailed as "instinctive" and "untamed" by journalist, Rory Smith.

The comparison between the duo – who both typically operate on the left flank – can also be illustrated by their dribbling prowess, with Chiesa ranking in the top 15% among his European peers for progressive carries and the top 16% for successful take-ons, while the Georgian menace has performed only slightly better as he ranks in the top 6% and the top 5% for those same two metrics, respectively.

The two Serie A stars can also seemingly provide a creative outlet as the latter man ranks in the top 5% for assists, with the Italian ranking in the top 4% in that regard, proving that there is an end product to mirror their dribbling exploits.

Of course, there may be those championing bringing in Kvaratskhelia – who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford of late – as the 22-year-old racked up 12 goals and 13 assists in the league in 2022/23, although the suggestion is that the Tbilisi native could command more than £150m if he is to be sold this summer.

As such, while Chiesa only registered two goals and five assists in Serie A amid his return to fitness, the 5 foot 9 wizard's obvious likeness to the Napoli menace could make him a dream, bargain alternative for the Red Devils this summer.

Newcastle Confident Of Signing £110k-A-Week PL Man

Newcastle United remain confident of completing the signing of Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney this summer, journalist Dean Jones has claimed.

Do Newcastle want Tierney this summer?

The £110,000-a-week defender was part of a Gunners team that came close to winning the Premier League title last season, but it was a frustrating campaign for him overall.

Tierney only actually started six league games in the whole of 2022/23, with Oleksandr Zinchenko invariably preferred at left-back, and injury problems not always helping either. It is hard to see how the Scot's situation is going to change much at the Emirates moving forward, so it could be that he looks to move away this summer.

Newcastle have been linked with a switch for the 26-year-old, seeing him as someone who can bring quality and fight to the squad, providing stern competition for Dan Burn and Matt Targett in the process.

Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney.

What's the latest on Tierney to Newcastle?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones said that Newcastle remain in a strong position when it comes to signing Tierney, partly due to a lack of competition for his signature:

"I think that they're confident that the competition isn't too fierce. They've definitely got competitors for him, but I think they'll be looking to get this one done as soon as they can, just so they know they can focus on other areas."

Tierney could be a great addition at Newcastle before the start of next season, arriving with the bit between his teeth after not quite reaching expectation levels at Arsenal.

He would bring something completely different to Burn at left-back, in terms of natural width and pace, and he would immediately enhance the squad depth at Eddie Howe's disposal, coming in as an upgrade on Targett, who only also only started six Premier League matches last season.

Tierney who has been lauded as a "warrior" by Ashley Cole, has made 123 appearances for Arsenal and 37 caps for Scotland , which shows that he is also someone with a wealth of experience at the top level now, as well as 14 assists for the Gunners.

At 26, he is at a great age to come in and hit the ground running immediately, with his best years potentially coming soon, which could further benefit Newcastle. He has a fierce attitude and playing style, with that winning edge also a positive, and while he may not be cheap, the Magpies have the funds available this summer.

Newcastle United "Firm Favourites" To Sign £60m "Magician"

Newcastle United have emerged as “firm favourites” to bring RB Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai to the Premier League, according to journalist Bence Bocsak.

Is Dominik Szoboszlai leaving RB Leipzig?

Eddie Howe is reportedly looking to bolster his central ranks during the upcoming window and has highlighted the 22-year-old as a player that he would like to try and bring to the northeast in the weeks and months ahead.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg recently revealed that the Hungary international is “aware” of the “concrete interest” from PIF and Eddie Howe who have made him a “top target” after previously sending scouts to watch him twice within the space of a fortnight.

Marco Rose’s talisman has openly admitted that he “dreams” of joining a “big club” and named England as one of three countries alongside Spain and Germany as a possible destination, and despite there also being interest from Liverpool, it sounds like the black and white stripes are the ones currently in pole position.

Are Newcastle signing Szoboszlai?

Taking to Twitter, Bocsak claimed that Newcastle are leading the race to land Szoboszlai who is apparently attracted by the ongoing project at St. James’ Park. He wrote:

“My latest info on Szoboszlai. Leipzig are willing to reluctantly let him go. Many parties interested, but no one ready to pay his €70m [£60m] release clause. #NUFC are firm favourites, and their project is appealing. He also has other interest from Spain and PL. #LFC like him, but not in the race at this stage."

RB Leipzig midfielderDominik Szoboszlai.

Newcastle going to the lengths that they have in their pursuit of Szoboszlai shows just how serious they are about securing his services, and having been dubbed a “magician” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, PIF should 100% cash out on the attacking midfielder.

The EM Sports Consulting client clocked up 14 goal contributions (eight assists and six goals) in 31 Bundesliga appearances last season and as recognition for his high standard of performances, received four man-of-the-match awards.

The Champions League participant was also a constant threat even when he wasn’t on the scoresheet during the previous term, recording 150 shot-creating actions which was higher than any of his teammates and 117 crosses which was the second-biggest total throughout his squad, as per FBRef.

Szoboszlai, who has the versatility to operate in seven different positions in midfield and attack, is additionally appreciated on the international stage having been named Hungary’s Footballer of the Year in 2022, so it would be a massive coup for the Magpies boss should he successfully land his target.

West Ham identify "unbelievable" coach to replace Moyes

The West Ham board has been teetering for a while, endlessly agonising over David Moyes’ uncertain future.

The Scotsman has bought so much joy to East London. Incredibly, he managed consecutive top-seven finishes, as well as a commendable European excursion last season that was halted in the semi-finals by the eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.

This term, the Irons have gone one step further on the continent and made it to the Europa Conference League Final.

Moyes and his squad are on the cusp of immortality, but failure to win this competition could spell the end for the veteran coach.

According to the Guardian, the Hammers are giving fresh consideration to Moyes’ dismissal to heighten the pressure on the game on Wednesday evening in Prague.

His fate rests upon reversing history and securing West Ham’s first major trophy in 43 years.

However, as per Foot Mercato’s Santi Aouna, Brendan Rodgers is a “leading candidate”, should Moyes fail at the last hurdle.

Would Brendan Rodgers be a good fit at West Ham?

A victim of recency bias would wrongly discount the obvious quality of Rodgers. The 50-year-old has endured a difficult campaign, unable to stem Leicester City’s downward spiral that culminated in a surprising relegation.

The club only signed two players last summer to leave Rodgers exposed and unevenly supported.

Prior to this tumultuous year at the King Power Stadium, the Northern Irishman had deservedly developed a prestigious reputation as quite simply, an unbelievable coach.

He first announced his managerial brilliance to British football with Swansea, securing promotion to the Premier League in 2012 via the play-offs.

Brendan Rodgers winning the FA Cup

The tactician was then announced as the boss of Liverpool and although it didn't quite go according to plan there, Merseyside legend Steven Gerrard was one effusive voice, heaping praise upon his managerial style.

He said: “His one-on-one management is the best I have known. He makes you go out onto the pitch feeling a million dollars — full of confidence and belief. He is a very confident manager.”

In more recent times, Rodgers managed the Foxes to their first-ever FA Cup victory in 2021 and had the club on the cusp of Champions League football.

Jurgen Klopp has expressed his admiration for his peers' work and said: “Leicester are built like you would like to build a team. Brilliant team. What they do is really good. Exciting, fresh; defend well; play football and are especially threatening in counter-attacks."

After an £166m outlay last summer, Moyes conceded that the spending “has not worked as well” as he would’ve liked, and given Rodgers' ability to pinpoint a player’s best role and mould a squad, his arrival at the London Stadium could be the perfect scenario.

Described as “unbelievable” by Michail Antonio, a player he could end up coaching, the appointment of Rodgers would herald a new era that could reignite the squad and the fan base.

Leeds: Victor Orta ready to accept defeat by releasing Kiko Casilla

Leeds United will release Kiko Casilla when his Elland Road deal expires, and it looks as if Victor Orta is finally ready to accept defeat when it comes to the goalkeeper.

The Lowdown: Casilla’s Leeds career

Marcelo Bielsa gave Orta the green light to bring Casilla to Yorkshire back in 2019 from Real Madrid. The Spaniard signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Leeds but fell out of favour just over a year into his stay after being found guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko, where he was handed an eight-game ban by the FA.

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Illan Meslier took over as first choice and hasn’t looked back, with Casilla making just three Premier League appearances last year. He’s spent the current campaign out on loan back in Spain with Elche, where he has also slipped to second choice, with an update now emerging on his future.

The Latest: Set to be released next year

Sports Witness relayed an update from Diario Informacion regarding Casilla on Tuesday. They claimed that he will return to Yorkshire in the summer and ‘will be released after the end of his contract with Leeds’.

However, Casilla’s deal at Elland Road still has just over 12 months left to run, implying he could soak up wages on the sidelines for another year or return to Spain for another loan spell.

The Verdict: Do it sooner

Leeds could find themselves back in the Championship next season, where a number of big earners could be moved on as a result.

Casilla is amongst them as he reportedly picks up £40,000-a-week. He has been described as a ‘mistake’ by Leeds TV podcaster Oscar Mario and doesn’t seem needed at Elland Road, with Kristoffer Klaesson signing last summer to provide back up to Meslier.

On that basis, it could make sense for Andrea Radrizzani and Orta to sit down with the player’s representatives and look to reach an agreement where his final 12 months of his contract are terminated.

You could say that it was a mistake at the time to hand a ‘keeper a four-and-a-half-year deal back in 2019 when he was already 32, but it looks as if they have finally recognised he is no longer needed on the books, which can only be a good sign.

In other news: Journalist now shares fresh Leeds injury concern from Thorp Arch on ‘perfect’ star pre-Brentford. 

Wolves could find Jimenez upgrade in Origi

Bruno Lage could land a massive upgrade for Raul Jimenez as he aims to rebuild the spine of the Wolves side ahead of next season.

What’s the word?

Liverpool striker Divock Origi is out of contract at the end of the season and journalist Josh Holland believes Wolves should sign the player to boost the side for next season.

The journalist said: “I think he’s better than Jimenez. If they can bring Origi in and have him starting as their number nine going forward, I think that would be perfect.

“I think he is quality and has an eye for goal. He is always in the right place at the right time.”

Italian outlet Calciomercato have reported that AC Milan appears to be the frontrunner for the Belgian’s signature, but Wolves should also consider a move having been linked previously.

Whilst on £82k-per-week at Liverpool, there may be some room for negotiation and the likelihood is he will get more game time at the club compared to Klopp’s side, with Wolves having held an interest in Origi for a while now, a move could materialise during the summer.

Jimenez upgrade at Wolves

Origi is a man for big moments, think back to the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2019 and even the final against Tottenham where he secured the trophy for Liverpool.

Holland has said that Origi “would be perfect” and believes he is better than Jimenez. The club has only scored 35 times in the Premier League this season, with the Mexican – the side’s main striker – grabbing only six of them, it clearly shows where the problem lies.

With Klopp dubbing him a “monster” before a Champions League tie against AC Milan last year, then Lage could well be getting themselves a player who could solve their goalscoring woes.

Origi has scored 68 matches in that time.

Another advantage is he has time on his side, he just turned 27 in April and could arguably be said, is still to hit his peak.

Lage needs to build a solid spine to the Wolves team ahead of next season in order to achieve European qualification and Origi must be a key target as the transfer window looms.

AND in other news, Big boost: Major Wolves transfer development emerges that’ll leave Lage ecstatic – opinion

Newcastle loanee Anderson scores for Rovers

This forms part of our Loan Watch series, where The Transfer Tavern analyse how a player is doing on loan from a club based on a recent performance.

The Lowdown: ‘Special’ player

Elliot Anderson is a player who is going from strength to strength at Bristol Rovers, where he has scored seven goals and supplied a further three assists in 20 games in League Two on loan from Newcastle United (Transfermarkt).

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He has received many plaudits for his performances – indeed, Northampton manager Jon Brady even went as far as to claim in recent weeks that the 19-year-old is ‘special’.

His latest cameo has ensured at least a play-off place for the Gas, who have one more match left to play in the regular League Two season and could still go up automatically.

The Latest: Anderson’s winning goal

Anderson scored the winning goal deep into injury time as Bristol Rovers beat Rochdale 4-3 at Spotland on Saturday afternoon.

The 19-year-old won eight of his individual duels in total, the second-most of any player on the pitch. He also recorded three shots, one successful dribble, one clearance, three tackles, two key passes, one accurate cross and two accurate long balls, achieving an impressive 90% pass success rate (SofaScore).

The Verdict: Exciting

It certainly is exciting for the Toon Army to see one of their own in Anderson doing so well out on loan.

Eddie Howe must surely be considering keeping him in the squad next season, despite the wealth of talent that Newcastle could end up buying with their riches in the summer transfer window.

Nonetheless, the midfielder is thriving in League Two for now, and he will be hoping to catch the eye again as he aims to get his team promoted.

In other news, find out who NUFC have now ‘made contact’ over possibly signing

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