Fulham: Whites Eyeing Midfielder Who Barcelona Tried To Sign

Fulham are now interested in signing young Paris-Saint Germain midfielder Edouard Michut, according to Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas.

Who could Fulham sign this summer?

It’s been a successful season overall for Marco Silva and his side upon their first full campaign back in the Premier League, with the Whites securing their top flight safety long ago.

Fulham have even won an impressive 15 out of their 37 league games played, which is four more than west London rivals and big spenders Chelsea who languish beneath them.

The Craven Cottage side’s solid season has even generated some interest in Silva from top English sides as Tottenham have been linked with a move in recent weeks.

Fulham are now tasked with building upon this season whilst making sure they strengthen in key areas for 2023/2024 – with the Cottagers identifying summer targets.

Defensive midfielders appear to be high on Silva’s agenda for the summer window as FC Porto midfielder Mateus Uribe is rumoured to be of interest.

Fulham manager Marco Silva.

This comes as star player Joao Palhinha could move away, with Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Man United all thought to be circling (Football Insider).

Fulham are apparently “scouring the market” for midfield improvements as Chelsea’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek has also been linked with a move (90min).

Bournemouth midfielder Jefferson Lerma is reportedly on the agenda too and Sky journalist Thomas now claims Michut of PSG is attracting Fulham’s fondness.

Taking to Twitter, the reporter says they are keen to sign him, with Michut set to return to PSG following his loan spell at Sunderland.

He explained:

Who is Edouard Michut?

The 20-year-old made 25 Championship appearances for Sunderland over his temporary spell, averaging their fifth-highest rate of tackles per 90 in the divison (WhoScored).

Michut has also been tipped for stardom, once branded the “new Verratti” by GOAL’s annual NXGN list last year (via The Daily Record) – though his numbers at Sunderland over 22/23 may suggest he has a way to go for that tag.

However, it’s also believed he was once a target for Barcelona (Sport), with The Catalans having previously held an interest in signing the Frenchman.

Depending on the price tag, Michut could be a player worth considering based off past potential and plaudits, though we believe he is unlikely to come in as a first team upgrade.

Chelsea Register Transfer Interest In 22-y/o "Warrior"

Chelsea are interested in a move for Sporting CP midfielder Manuel Ugarte, but they may face a lot of competition for his signature, Fabrizio Romano has revealed.

What's the latest on Manuel Ugarte?

The Uruguayan has attracted a lot of transfer interest this summer, and Chelsea are now said to be interested in a move, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Aston Villa, among others.

The 22-year-old has made 47 appearances in all competitons this season, helping Sporting reach the Europa League quarter-finals under Ruben Amorim, and could be ready for a big move.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano claimed that Ugarte is of interest to the Blues, who are aware of his release clause this summer.

"Chelsea appreciate Ugarte. This is still not something clear, because Chelsea are not going to close this deal now," he stated.

"Chelsea have an interest, Chelsea appreciate the player, Chelsea know about the release clause of €60m (£52m), and they are discussing internally about whether they want to trigger the clause or if they prefer to negotiate on this deal, but Ugarte is one of the names they have in their list."

What could Ugarte bring to Chelsea?

Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

Having lost Jorginho in January, and with Mateo Kovacic potentially leaving, whilst N'Golo Kante continues to suffer from injury issues, Chelsea could benefit from bringing a midfielder in despite the arrival of Enzo Fernandez.

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to take the helm as head coach, and he could look to add some steel to the middle of the park.

The Uruguayan has previously been described as a "warrior," and he could form a formidable partnership with Fernandez as Pochettino looks to restore order to the chaos at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have had a disastrous campaign, as they are set to finish in the bottom half of the table despite heavy spending across the last two transfer windows, and Pochettino will be their fifth manager since the start of last season.

Given the other interest in Ugarte, and the lack of European football at Chelsea next season, it would be something of a coup if they can convince him to join, in what will likely be an expensive transfer.

Mason Mount has been linked with a big-money move away, and if Chelsea can earn a significant fee from his departure, they may be able to fund a move for Ugarte, but they have to be wary about their financial situation, with sales needed to comply with financial fair play rules.

"Extraordinary" Star Could Replace £60m Chelsea Flop

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae this summer – and the South Korean could replace £60m flop Marc Cucurella at Stamford Bridge.

Would Kim Min-Jae be a good signing for Chelsea?

According to 90min, Napoli could be forced to sell the powerful centre-back this summer, with Chelsea among those interested in bringing him to the Premier League.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are all also thought to be in the running, while Chelsea are said to have sent scouts to watch the 26-year-old play this month – and could bring him to Stamford Bridge for as little as €45m (£39m) due to a release clause in his contract, which is only eligible in the first two weeks of the upcoming transfer window.

Since joining from Fenerbahce last summer, the six foot three defender has gone on to make 34 appearances in Serie A for Luciano Spalletti's side, contributing two goals and two assists with a superb 7.10 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

Reece James is currently ranked as the top performer at Stamford Bridge with a 7.07 average rating, which emphasises just how impressive Kim has been in his first season in Italy.

He also averaged a 7.20 rating in the Champions League as Napoli reached the quarter-finals, so clearly has what it takes to play at the very top level.

Former Manchester United man Park Ji-sung was full of praise for his compatriot earlier in the campaign, saying:

"Extraordinary, what a talent. He took the right step by going to play in Turkey and showed himself ready to take a step forward. He didn't come directly to Italy but step by step, so he grew up and there is no doubt that he is doing extraordinary things, as a technical leader and personality in Naples".

Teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also dubbed him as an "iron barrel" and described him as one of the best in the world, so he could certainly be a quality addition to Chelsea's squad this summer if he can live up to that praise.

Could Kim Min-Jae replace Cucurella at Chelsea?

One concern for Todd Boehly is the number of defensive options already at Stamford Bridge but if he were able to complete a deal for the former Beijing Guoan star, perhaps it could see Cucurella moved on.

The Spanish defender joined from Brighton last summer but has endured a difficult first season in west London, with WhoScored ranking him as the 15th-best performer in Chelsea's squad.

Often utilised as a left-sided centre-back, Cucurella hasn't looked comfortable at all in recent months and his lack of defensive awareness was cruelly exposed in the Champions League defeat against Real Madrid.

Given the competition for places at Chelsea and Boehly's demands for a better 2023/24 season, the 24-year-old is surely a prime candidate to be moved on this summer, especially if it can fund a move for Kim.

The South Korean has averaged far more interceptions, clearances and blocks per game than Cucurella so far this term, so would be a far more natural centre-back for Mauricio Pochettino to have at Stamford Bridge, making him a fine target Boehly should definitely try to sign.

Leeds Could Appoint ‘Genius’ Bielsa Upgrade

Leeds United have just been handed a huge boost in their hunt for a new manager, with Andrea Radrizzani looking to make the club as attractive as possible in preparation for a likely sale.

What's the latest Leeds manager news?

French outlet RMC Sport detail OGC Nice's interest in Graham Potter initially, before outlining a host of alternatives.

With a few English clubs vying for his signature, it is expected that the former Chelsea boss would prefer such a move, as Crystal Palace and Leicester City circle.

However, the Whites are another option touted, who could tempt the 48-year-old to Elland Road in an effort to escape the Championship at the first time of asking.

Is Graham Potter better than Marcelo Bielsa?

In snagging this progressive long-term coach, it seems like the Yorkshire club are truly serious about building a brighter and more sustainable future than the one Marcelo Bielsa conjured.

After all, despite the huge success he achieved in returning this club to the Premier League, his methods were what ultimately let him down. Stubbornly standing by a smaller group of players, he forged closer bonds but left himself wide open to an injury crisis.

Around the time of his sacking, he had been without Liam Cooper and Kalvin Phillips for large parts of the season, yet he retained his aggressive all-action style that was leaking goals for fun.

That year, when they narrowly avoided relegation, his side shipped 79 goals across the 38 games.

Meanwhile, Potter was quietly making a name for himself at Brighton and Hove Albion, spearheading their steady progression that has culminated in their Europa League finish in the most recent campaign.

Whilst Roberto De Zerbi will earn all the plaudits for finishing off the job, it was the Englishman who led them from a side that escaped the drop by just two points the year before his appointment.

marcelo-bielsa-leeds-united

His fluid 3-4-2-1 system allowed him to nurture his squad into a group of high-quality and versatile players, all able to play various roles well above their expected levels. This culminated in their highest-ever top-flight finish in his last full season (until this year), and when he left for Stamford Bridge, the Seagulls sat in fourth.

Such were his achievements, even the great Pep Guardiola sought to laud him, noting: "I am a big fan of Graham Potter. From the first time at Swansea, it was a joy to analyse his teams but also a concern when you play them. His players have the courage to play, they all know what to do. The first thing I would tell my players is: 'We have to be at a high level against them.'"

Although De Zerbi has since proven the following statement wrong, it was a testament to his work at progressing a club far smaller than Leeds that journalist Sam Morton spoke so highly of Potter: "It was a shame to see Cucurella and Bissouma leave Brighton but Graham Potter is the only irreplaceable asset at the club, you feel. The man is a genius."

Although he had his struggles in west London, many would argue that he was given particularly unfavourable circumstances with which to work. Perhaps a return to management where he could awake a sleeping giant under Radrizzani, could be the perfect place to rebuild his reputation and surpass Bielsa's legacy by earning promotion and a sustainable future in the top flight.

West Ham: Moyes eyeing £40m move for Premier League gem

West Ham United are keen on making a move for Nottingham Forest talisman Brennan Johnson this summer, according to Simon Jones of the Daily Mail.

Who is Brennan Johnson?

Johnson is one of Nottingham Forest’s own. Born in Nottingham, the forward entered the academy and hasn’t looked back ever since.

The Englishman was a crucial part of Forest’s shock promotion from the Championship in the 2021/22 season, with 19 goals in all competitions, including two in the play-offs.

Is Brennan Johnson leaving Nottingham Forest?

Whilst Johnson’s Nottingham Forest exit is far from a guarantee this summer, given their Premier League status, the Wales youngster has reportedly attracted plenty of interest.

This comes as little surprise, too, given the exceptional campaign that the "unbelievable" forward – as once hailed by former boss Sabri Lamouchi – had in the Premier League for the first time – scoring eight goals and assisting a further three to help keep Forest afloat.

Soccer Football – Premier League – Nottingham Forest v Brentford – The City Ground, Notthingham, Britain – November 5, 2022 Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates scoring their second goal with Brennan Johnson and Jesse Lingard REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/p

Still young, Johnson has plenty of time for improvement, meaning that any club that did swoop in this summer would have themselves a player for both the present and the future.

As per Jones, West Ham are interested in the forward, though do face competition from Everton. Both clubs could battle it out for Johnson, who is reportedly valued at £40m by Forest.

The Hammers could certainly do with the goals that the Forest man could bring, that’s for sure – last summer’s £30.5m flop – Gianluca Scamacca – found the back of the net just three times in a total of 16 Premier League appearances.

Meanwhile, Michail Anontio’s form began to spiral slightly when it came to domestic action, only scoring on three occasions, despite making 33 appearances in the league last season.

Their lack of goalscorer very nearly cost the Hammers the ultimate price of relegation, before David Moyes guided them to safety. But, nonetheless, this is a precarious feeling they won’t want to face again, meaning that reinforcements are a must this summer.

With Forest’s valuation of Johnson reportedly as high as £40m, however, West Ham may need the financial boost of potentially winning the Europa Conference League if they are to consider pursuing the deal further.

Those at the London Stadium showed last summer that they are willing to break the bank for quality, though, having hit a new transfer record with the deal for Lucas Paqueta, which saw them splash out a record £51.3m.

Johnson may well find himself amongst West Ham’s most expensive signings, if the Hammers continue their interest in the forward and complete a deal.

Everton Can Find Their Own Van Persie With £7.5k-p/w Swoop

Everton narrowly avoided relegation to the Premier League in the 2022/23 campaign as Sean Dyche masterminded a final day escape with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.

The Toffees flirted with the drop throughout the season and their lack of potency in the final third was one of the big reasons as to why they struggled so much.

Only Wolves (31) scored fewer goals than the Blues (34) and this shows that they had one of the worst attacks in the entire division, which is something that must be addressed in the summer transfer window.

The Liverpool Echo recently reported that the club have discussed a possible swoop for free agent centre-forward Michael Olunga, who currently plays for Al-Duhail SC in Qatar.

What is Michael Olunga's style of play?

Dyche could land his own version of ex-Manchester United and Arsenal striker Robin van Persie by securing a deal to sign the 29-year-old marksman this summer.

Kenyan journalist David Kwalimwa described the ace as a "reliable finisher" and compared him to the former Premier League star:

“Michael is tall (6ft 4in) and possesses a solid aerial threat. His left foot is the strongest and he can create space and shoot from whichever angle and I would liken his playing style to that of Robin van Persie.”

The now-retired Dutch dynamo enjoyed a terrific career in the English top flight. He scored 144 goals and assisted 67 in 280 appearances in the division for United and the Gunners combined.

Al-Duhail SC striker Michael Olunga.

Olunga, who – as Kwalimwa explained – has a comparable style, could provide a similar level of quality if the Kenyan international is capable of translating some of his form from Qatar and Japan over to England.

During his time with Kashiwa Reysol, the 6 foot 4 titan plundered an exceptional 61 goals and 15 assists in 78 matches, which included 28 strikes in 32 J1 League outings.

The prolific hotshot then moved to Al-Duhail SC in Qatar and racked up a sensational 83 goals and seven assists in 83 games in all competitions, which shows that the lethal dynamo knows how to find the back of the net week-in-week-out.

Olunga, who has scored 21 goals in 48 caps for Kenya as their captain, has been an outstanding goalscorer for a number of years and his proven record in front of goal could be attractive to Everton, particularly given their lack of potency in 22/23.

Therefore, Dyche must snap the ace, who could be available for roughly £7.5k-per-week, as the incredible centre-forward has the potential to be his own version of Van Persie at Goodison Park next season.

Tottenham: Spurs In Talks To Hijack "Superb" Star

Tottenham Hotspur have entered talks to sign Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and could hijack Inter Milan, according to journalist Michele Criscitiello.

Who will Spurs sign this summer?

The north Londoners, buoyed by the arrival of new manager Ange Postecoglou, are seeking to strengthen their ranks in many different areas before next season.

One of the major positions Spurs could reinforce is the goalkeeping position, especially after long-serving number one Hugo Lloris recently declared that he is seeking a new challenge.

The Frenchman, who has been at Tottenham for over a decade since signing from Lyon in 2012, told Nice-Matin that an exit is very much on the cards – a year before the expiry of his current contract.

“We have reached an important moment, whether it be for the club or me,” said Lloris.

“It’s the end of an era. I have a desire for something else. I will carefully study what is possible. However, I haven’t forgotten that I have a year left on my contract at Tottenham, and in football, it’s always hard to predict what will happen."

As a result, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has reportedly been targeting Brentford's David Raya, though despite agreeing personal terms, it is believed there is an impasse on his £40 million asking price.

Alternatives who have been in the frame include Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, but according to reports in the lasr 24 hours, Tottenham have set their sights on a new target for in-between the sticks.

Tottenham transfer target Guglielmo Vicario in Serie A action.

Indeed, Empoli's Vicario is now of serious interest, with Italian reporter Criscitiello telling SICafè on Sport Italia that Spurs are in talks for the 26-year-old.

They could also hijack Inter Milan, who apparently had the 6 foot 4 Vicario "in their grip" but are "wasting time" – meaning Tottenham are swooping in.

"The Nerazzurri had Vicario in their grip," said Criscitiello.

"But now they are wasting time and as a result the goalkeeper has fallen heavily in these hours, with important money, at Corsi's house. Tottenham. Empoli are negotiating with the English, I don't know the figures."

Who is Guglielmo Vicario?

The Italian starred for Empoli last season under Paolo Zanetti, even standing out as their second-best performing player by average match rating according to WhoScored.

Off the back of his national team call-up last year, BBC journalist Moseph Ekine was also effusive in his praise for the shot-stopper, calling him one of Serie A's "very good" keepers who has been "superb" for Empoli.

If Spurs can get a deal done, they may well have an excellent Raya alternative.

Spurs Have Joined Race To Land 6 Ft 3 Marksman

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly one of a number of teams now in the race to add a talented young prospect to their squad during the summer transfer window.

What's the latest on Adama Bojang to Tottenham Hotspur?

According to the Evening Standard, Spurs are pursuing a deal to sign Steve Biko FC centre-forward Adama Bojang ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The report claims that fellow Premier League sides Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, and Wolves are also keeping tabs on the teenager, who is currently playing in The Gambia.

It states that Lens, Eintracht Frankfurt, and RB Leipzig are providing competition for his signature from outside of England and that there are also teams outside of Europe who are interested in the 19-year-old marksman.

He would be a cheap option for Ange Postecoglou to swoop for this summer as Steve Biko FC are said to be demanding a fee of just £2.6m for the attacker.

The former Celtic head coach has technically made one signing since making the switch from Scotland after Dejan Kulusevski put pen to paper on a permanent deal following an 18-month loan spell but this second move may be one for the future, rather than with a view to him making an immediate impact.

Who is Adama Bojang?

Bojang is a 6 foot 3 striker who has caught the eye whilst playing for his country at youth level and could be an intriguing signing for Spurs to make.

Former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou.

He has plundered six goals in eight appearances for The Gambia's U20 side and was named in the Team of the Tournament for the U20 African Cup of Nations, in which the talented teen scored four goals.

The 19-year-old titan, who has been described as the 'Gambian Hurricane', revealed his footballing inspiration earlier this year:

"I want to be like Cristiano Ronaldo. Because he's my favourite when it comes to the big name players.

"I've been watching his videos on YouTube after games. He posts his workout there so sometimes I try to watch those and motivate myself through that."

He has been compared to another former Premier League number nine, though, as talent scout Jacek Kulig named Tammy Abraham, formerly of Chelsea, as a similar type of player to the "complete" Gambian dynamo.

Kulig listed pace, movement, and finishing as some of Bojang's biggest strengths and rated his potential at 8/10, which suggests that there is a promising prospect there who could be a star if he lives up to the hype.

Whilst this may not be a deal that makes a significant impact on Tottenham's chances of achieving their goals in all competitions next season, the signing of the £2.6m hotshot could be an exciting move by the club that could benefit them in the future.

Europes top scorers ranked by transfer cost per goal with mbappe, kane, haaland

Football as a sport is ever-increasing financially, but clubs are still shrewd in the transfer market, and this list will be showcasing just how shrewd the top clubs in Europe are when it comes to purchasing attackers.

For this list we will be working out each of the top 11 scorers across Europe this seasons Cost per goal, and ranking them based on least value to most value per goal, and some of these results will shock you.

10 Kylian Mbappe: £5.34m cost per goal

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.

Kylian Mbappe enjoyed a fantastic campaign for both club and country, notching up 29 goals for the Parisian outfit and having a stellar World Cup, bringing home the golden boot.

However he falls bottom of this list due to his eye-watering £155m transfer fee that Paris Saint Germain paid AS Monaco for his signature back in 2018.

9 Victor Osimhen: £2.5m cost per goal

victor-osimhen-napoli-chelsea-transfer-gossip-haaland-pochettino

Victor Osimhen was the talisman behind Napoli’s first Scudetto win in 33 years, with his 26 goals for the club earning him the Serie A golden boot.

The masked forward sits in 10th place on this list however, with his £65m move from French side Lille in the summer of 2020 leading to a cost per goal of £2.5 million, which I’m sure to Napoli was worth every penny.

8 Robert Lewandowski: £1.69 million cost per goal

Soccer Football – LaLiga – FC Barcelona v Espanyol – Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain – December 31, 2022 FC Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski REUTERS/Albert Gea

Robert Lewandowski enjoyed a very successful first campaign in Spain, winning the La Liga title at the first time of asking, and producing 23 goals in 34 games.

The Polish international moved to Barcelona from Bayern Munich last summer for £38.7 million and therefore ended this campaign with a cost per goal of £1.69 million cost per goal, which is only good for ninth place on this list.

7 Erling Haaland: £1.41 million cost per goal

erling-haaland-manchester-city

Erling Haaland is the winner of this seasons European golden boot, with his 36 goals this season six better than the runner-up could manage as the forward went on to win a historical treble in his first campaign with Manchester City.

Haaland sits eighth on this list however, with his £51 million transfer from Borussia Dortmund last summer leading to a cost per goal of £1.41 million.

6 Lautaro Martinez: £1.02 million cost per goal

Inter Milan'sLautaroMartinezcelebrates scoring their second goal

Lautaro Martinez enjoyed a season of ups and downs, from winning the World Cup with Argentina to falling at the final hurdle in the Champions League final against Manchester City. The Argentine still performed on an individual level this campaign, recording 21 goals for Inter Milan.

The forwards £21.5 million move from Racing Club in Argentina back in 2018 results in a seventh place finish on this list, and a cost per goal of £1.02 million.

5 Jonathan David: £971k cost per goal

Jonathan David

The young Canadian striker is the second of four Ligue 1 players to grace this list, with his 24 goals in 37 appearances an impressive return for the 23-year-old, which may result in him getting a transfer this summer.

David joined current club Lille from Belgian outfit Gent in the summer of 2020 for a fee of £23.3 million, and is the first player to have a cost per goal of below £1m, falling just under the cusp at £971,000 cost per goal.

4 Lois Openda: £486k cost per goal

Lois Openda.

Openda was one of the biggest surprise packages of the season, with his incredible goal scoring exploits helping fire RC Lens to Champions League football just 3 seasons after their promotion from Ligue 2.

The Belgian joined the French side from Vitesse last summer for a fee of £10.2 million and therefore ended with a cost per goal of £486k.

3 Alexandre Lacazette: £0 cost per goal

Alexandre Lacazette for Lyon

The first of three players to have a cost per goal of £0, Lacazette sits third due to scoring the least amount of goals compared to the others.

The 32-year-old produced a remarkable campaign on his return to boyhood club Lyon, scoring 27 goals in 35 appearances, the joint highest return he’s managed in his career and 23 more than he scored in his final season in the Premier League with Arsenal.

2 Enner Valencia: £0 cost per goal

Soccer Football – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Group A – Ecuador v Senegal – Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar – November 29, 2022 Ecuador’s Enner Valencia in action with Senegal’s Pathe Ciss REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini

Enner Valencia was thrust back into the minds of a lot of football fans following his brace on the opening game of World Cup 2022. In the Turkish division however, Valencia produced an incredible season, with 29 goals in just 31 games.

It is the highest goalscoring season the Ecuadorian legend has ever produced, and incredible value for Fenerbache who picked up the forward on a free transfer three seasons ago, but it’s only good enough for second on this list.

1 Harry Kane: £0 cost per goal

Topping the list is England captain and Tottenham Hotspur talisman Harry Kane, who recorded the joint highest goalscoring season of his career with 30 goals, but missed out on the golden boot to Haaland. It is the second time in his career where he has scored 30+ goals and missed out on the golden boot, with Mohamed Salah beating him to it in 2017/18.

The Spurs academy graduate has topped this list a number of time, but should he depart the club this summer, may well not top this list again.

Chelsea Eyeing Surprise Move For £8k-A-Week Defender

Chelsea are believed to be interested in bringing former defender Tino Livramento back to the club this summer before loaning him back to Southampton, according to a new transfer update.

How good is Tino Livramento?

The 20-year-old spent 12 years as a Blues player in the youth system, arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2009, before eventually departing in 2021.

Livramento joined Southampton at that point, and he has been a strong signing for the Saints overall, albeit unfortunately missing the vast majority of the 2022/23 season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury, being limited to just 26 minutes of action in all competitions.

In total, the £8,000-a-week right-back has made 34 appearances for Saints to date, scoring once and registering two assists in that time, as well as averaging 1.9 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game in the Premier League during the 2021/22 season.

While Chelsea deeming Livramento surplus to requirements two years ago, a shock report is now suggesting he could be set for a return to west London with a view to forcing his way into the side further down the line.

tino-livramento-southampton-premier-league-newcastle-transfers

Could Livramento sign for Chelsea?

According to The Daily Mail, the Blues are interested in a "surprise" move to bring the youngster back to the club in the current transfer window, but would bizarrely send him straight back to the south coast:

"Chelsea have held talks with Southampton over a potential deal for their former right back Tino Livramento that would entail loaning him back.

"Southampton value the 20-year old at £38million and have been rejecting offers from Newcastle United over the past week. They also wanted to have the England U21 international in their ranks for next season after his last campaign in the Premier League was blighted by injury.

"Chelsea sold Livramento to Southampton for £8m which also included a hefty sell on percentage. The approach comes as a surprise with Reece James and new signing from Lyon Malo Gusto already on their books."

This news certainly comes as a surprise to many of a Chelsea persuasion, especially considering the Blues look fairly well-stocked at right-back for the long-term future, as the report alludes to.

There is no question that Livramento is a talented young footballer with a potentially big future in the game, however, being described as "outstanding" by current England Under-21s manager Lee Carsley and also possessing an "aura" about him, according to Theo Walcott.

The Southampton youngster certainly won't want to be playing in the Championship long term, following the south coast's side relegation from the Premier League, so if they cannot secure promotion at the first time of asking he may well expect top flight football instead.

With Reece James unquestionably Chelsea's strongest right-back option and Malo Gusto also coming in to provide competition for the England international, however, it is difficult to see how Livramento is going to be able to enjoy regular football and continue his development as a player at any point, considering both of those players are relatively young themselves.

There would be a heartwarming element to his return to west London, though, having ultimately not made the grade at senior level, and if Mauricio Pochettino sees him as a shrewd addition to his squad in the future, the new Blues manager should perhaps be trusted in his decision-making.

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