All posts by z3u9t.icu

Newcastle United have had a long-standing interest in Moussa Diaby and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of the player during the summer transfer window.

What's the latest on Newcastle's interest in Moussa Diaby?

According to Football Transfers, Newcastle have rekindled their interest in signing the Bayer Leverkusen winger this summer.

As per the report, Eddie Howe is keen to make another attempt to reach an agreement to sign Diaby ahead of next season and is hoping that with just two years left on his contract that a lower fee for the player could be negotiated.

How much does Moussa Diaby cost?

The future has never been brighter at St James' Park and in Howe's first full season in charge he led his team to achieve the dreams many Newcastle supporters thought weren't ever possible to come true just 18 months ago.

The Magpies have qualified for the Champions League for the first time in over two decades after securing a top-four finish in the Premier League last season and now Howe is tasked with a new challenge of competing on the elite European stage.

As a result, the signing of players experienced in the competition would be massively advantageous to the club in their pursuit to make their mark on Europe next season and Diaby could be another player to add that much-needed experience in the team.

The Frenchman – dubbed "incredibly dangerous" by Freiburg's Nils Petersen – has tallied up 37 appearances across major European competitions with nine of those in the Champions League, delivering 14 goals and eight assists in the prestigious tournament and Europa League combined.

Now he could offer his impressive attacking services to Newcastle as they set out next season to deliver the desired trophy and success that the club are desperate to deliver to their supporters and could ultimately be the perfect upgrade for Miguel Almiron next season on the right flank.

When comparing the Leverkusen talent's output to Almiron's last season, Diaby comfortably outperformed his positional competitor in a number of key attacking attributes including goal contributions (17 v 13), shots on target rate (43% v 29%), shot-creating actions per 90 (3.67 v 3.14) and goal-creating actions per 90 (0.53 v 0.47), as per FBref.

Not only that, the 24-year-old is an incredibly versatile prospect for the Magpies boss who is clearly keen to strengthen the wider flanks of his attacking threat, as Diaby boasts almost as much experience on the right side as he does in the left-winger role too, as well as tallying up multiple appearances in a second striker role and as a left-sided midfielder.

Whilst there is no doubt that Diaby would be an incredible asset to Howe, the stumbling block has always been his expensive transfer fee as Newcastle's hierarchy are extremely conscious of the FFP constraints they face at present.

In January the Bundesliga club reportedly quoted interested parties an eye-watering €100m (£88.5m) to sign their star winger, however, Leverkusen now are expecting a fee of around £65m if they are to part ways this summer.

With that being said, if Newcastle can agree a suitable deal for Diaby it would be a no-brainer to snap up his services ahead of next season, as his attacking presence and experience in Europe would be highly valuable in the next chapter of the club's journey for success.

Leeds United have finally appointed their new head coach at Elland Road with Daniel Farke tasked with the challenge of achieving an instant bounce-back to the Premier League next season.

The Whites suffered relegation from the top-flight over a tight relegation scrap that saw Southampton and Leicester City drop into the Championship too, so for the three teams – who had all become established Premier League clubs in their own right – it will likely be a tough fight for the automatic promotion spots in the second tier.

In terms of recruitment, Leeds will need to get the ball rolling to make sure they can comfortably compete next season and, as it stands, the club have failed to confirm any incomings during a transformative summer so far.

Bolstering key positions on the pitch and being prepared for potential exits by some of their Premier League-proven talent will be essential in the West Yorkshire club's ability to dominate in Championship football.

One player who has now been linked with a move to the Whites is Liverpool centre-back Nathaniel Phillips, who despite limited game-time at Anfield – where he featured just five times last term – has shown glimpses of his ability to dominate and trouble opponents on many occasions both for Liverpool and in the second tier with Bournemouth.

The Athletic's Leeds reporter Phil Hay claimed this week that Leeds hold an interest in the defender who will cost £10m to sign this summer and revealed that he is a player that Farke has been interested in the past during his time at Norwich City.

Will Leeds sign Nathaniel Phillips this summer?

There is no doubt that improvements need to be made at Elland Road this summer following a real struggle to compete in the Premier League last season and one of the most important areas to repair is the defensive presence in the squad.

No other team in the entire top-flight conceded more goals than Leeds last season (78) despite the side scoring the second-highest amount of goals in the bottom half of the table (48), which is a testament to the troubles their defensive players found themselves in during the fight against relegation.

As a result, the signing of Phillips could be a great opportunity to strengthen and improve the back-line this summer and with the exit of Robin Koch confirmed would be a welcomed new addition.

Whilst Phillips' sporadic appearances at Liverpool make it hard to measure his impact in the Premier League, his six-month loan spell at Bournemouth in their Championship-winning season gives a glimpse of what Leeds can expect from his huge presence in his centre-back role.

Over 17 appearances during the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, the 26-year-old tallied up an 82% pass completion rate, kept eight clean sheets and successfully completed 50% of his dribbles, as well as averaging 4.1 clearances, 1.5 interceptions, 76.1 touches and 5.9 duels won per game, proving that he is a dominant and solid defender when given consistent game-time.

Not only that, the Bolton-born titan has earned high praise from Jurgen Klopp, with the Liverpool manager full of compliments for his out-of-favour centre-back after his display against West Ham United a few seasons ago, stating:

"In the air, he's a monster! He was incredible."

With that being said, it would be a great piece of business for Leeds if they could secure the services of Phillips and with consistent minutes at Elland Road could play a vital role in improving the defensive performances next season.

Manchester United are continuing to rebuild their squad this summer in their pursuit to regain their dominance and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Man United's interest in Joao Felix?

According to Spanish newspaper ABC (via Sport Witness), the Red Devils are one of the clubs interested in signing Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.

As per the report, Erik ten Hag's side join Newcastle United and Aston Villa in their interest of the talented forward and after a taste of Premier League football with Chelsea, Felix is keen for his agent, Jorge Mendes, to action a move back to England ahead of next season.

What is the market value of Joao Felix?

According to reports coming out of Spain, the LaLiga giants are demanding an eye-watering fee of €140m (£120m) to part ways with their player this summer.

However, CIES Football Observatory state that Felix's market value is currently under half the amount quoted, totalling €60m (£51m), a valuation that would much better suit United's budget.

The Dutch boss has already completed the signing of former Chelsea dynamo Mason Mount, but will reportedly need to offload a number of players during the current window to ensure he can healthily reinvest.

One of the players who has been named on the 'for sale' list at Old Trafford is Jadon Sancho, with the winger struggling to be backed as a consistent first-team starter by his Dutch coach – averaging just 65 minutes per game over 26 Premier League appearances last season.

As a result, the signing of Felix could only further add competition for his positional peer next season, as Sancho is already having to compete with a number of highly-rated wide-forwards with Antony, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho all strong contenders to start.

The Portuguese star – once hailed a "pure talent" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig – is one of the hottest young prospects in European football ranking in the top 10% of his positional peers across the top five leagues for shot-creating actions, progressive passes, progressive carries, successful take-ons and tackles per 90, as per FBref, proving that he is a consistent ball-winner and attacking threat.

When comparing Felix's output with Sancho's last season, the Atletico talent comfortably outperformed the former Borussia Dortmund ace in several attributes including goal contributions (11 v 9), shots on goal per 90 (4.07 v 1.12), aerial duels won (31.3% v 14.3%).

As well as offering more progressive passes per 90 (4.12 v 4.04), successfully completing more take-ons per 90 (1.89 v 1.86) and winning more tackles per 90 (1.23 v 0.99) than Sancho.

Not only that, Felix offers Ten Hag a player with huge versatility in his positioning, which could be an invaluable asset next season with experience as a second striker, centre forward and in both the left and right wider forward roles too.

With all considered, it is unlikely that a move for Felix would be viable without the sale of at least one big-name player this summer, however, there is no doubt that Felix could develop into an even bigger superstar at Old Trafford and thrive under the guidance of Ten Hag.

And this interest surely spells trouble for Sancho heading into the new campaign.

Heart of Midlothian have finally made a signing during this transfer window, bringing goalkeeper Michael McGovern from Norwich City on a free transfer.

The 39-year-old is hardly a marquee name which will set off ripples of excitement among the supporters, yet it could potentially be a catalyst for more players to start joining the Tynecastle side over the coming weeks.

With their first Premiership fixture in just 14 days, Steven Naismith will be aiming to bolster his squad significantly if he wishes to improve on the fourth-placed finished achieved last season, while trying to qualify for the Europa Conference League group stages for the second year in a row.

The Jambos might be ready to announce their second signing of the summer, with Australian midfielder Calem Nieuwenhof edging closer to a move to Scotland from Western Sydney Wanderers, although they may have to wait a week or so due to work permit issues.

With one year left on his current contract, it looks as though Hearts will have stumped up a fee to secure the youngster ahead of next season and judging by his talent, it could be a shrewd move by Naismith.

Who is Calem Nieuwenhof?

The midfielder might not be relatively well known in Scotland, yet he has enjoyed a successful start to his career in Australia, while he has even garnered praise from a former Manchester United player.

Morgan Schneiderlin, who played for United between 2015-2017 and is now a teammate, lauded Nieuwenhof, saying: "He's a very good player, you can see he's a young kid who's listening and doing everything right.

"He doesn't lose the ball and he knows how to use his body. I'm trying to help him to improve but he has a really good future ahead of him."

By the sound of it, Hearts are set to be getting a talented player, and he could even form a solid midfield duo with Beni Baningime next term.

The former Everton starlet enjoyed a solid start to life at Hearts upon joining in 2021 before injury ruined his progress, displaying his dogged nature in the heart of the midfield by ranking second in the squad for tackles (2.6) and interceptions per game (1.2), while finishing as their seventh-finest player via overall Sofascore rating, despite playing just 23 league games.

Alongside Baningime, the Australian could also offer a solid defensive output, making 3.4 tackles per match last term while also winning 6.1 duels per game, indicating that he was a strong physical presence in the midfield.

His attacking qualities could also benefit Hearts too, as he scored four goals and grabbed an assist across 27 games, while averaging 0.8 key passes and creating two big chances on average each outing, solid numbers for a defensive midfielder that tends to spend nearly as much time in his own half as well as the opposition's according to his heatmap from 2022/23

Nieuwenhof sounds like he could sparkle in Scotland given his traits and with Hearts dying for a player who could offer both defensive and attacking qualities to their midfield, Naismith could forge a solid duo with him and Baningime next season.

Chelsea are set to 'continue' their interest in Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki this summer alongside chasing a deal for Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Is Rayan Cherki moving to Chelsea?

According to FootballTransfers, Cherki has held talks with both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur as he assesses his options this summer amid interest from the Premier League.

The outlet detail that Lyon are in financial difficulty and have been placed under the microscope by French football authorities due to their wage expenditure and transfer activity and it is believed that Chelsea could submit a bid worth €40 million (£34.2 million) for the 19-year-old.

Calciomercato via JuveFC claim that Juventus could also emerge as a suitor for Cherki if Federico Chiesa is to leave the Allianz Stadium this window.

Last term, Cherki, who is "two footed", made 39 appearances for Lyon in all competitions, going on to notch five goals and six assists in total, as per Transfermarkt.

As per ESPN, Cherki is keen to join Chelsea this summer and the Blues are preparing an 'opening offer' for the Lyon-born midfielder as a potential replacement for USA international Christian Pulisic, who has recently moved to AC Milan.

RMC Sport understand that Chelsea have made a proposal to Crystal Palace to try and land winger Olise worth in the region of £39 million.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, transfer insider Jones think that Chelsea will pursue both players as the transfer window progresses; however, he isn't convinced that both will arrive simultaneously at Stamford Bridge.

Jones stated: “I’m expecting the interest in Rayan Cherki to continue as well through to next week and it’s unlikely both of these players are signed this summer.

“So with that in mind I am interested to see the actual value of these deals come to light and the terms of those potential deals too.

“One thing I do know about Olise is that his ambition in the game would definitely mean he is interested in a move like this, but of course he is also being linked with other big clubs and for him this is a fantastic moment.”

Who else could Mauricio Pochettino bring to Chelsea this summer?

More high-profile arrivals could be on the way to Stamford Bridge this summer following the additions of Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Diego Moreira and Angelo, as per Transfermarkt.

According to Football Insider, Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus is keen to join Chelsea and the Blues are close to finding an agreement over personal terms with the Ghana international.

Writing in his column for CaughtOffside, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Chelsea have initiated contact with Crystal Palace to speak about Marc Guehi, who is being eyed as an alternative to injured defender Wesley Fofana.

Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Montpellier striker Elye Wahi amid competition from Inter Milan to sign the 20-year-old, who will then be loaned to their satellite club Strasbourg to continue his development in 2023/24, as per The Daily Mail.

In the coming weeks, Chelsea boss Pochettino will be looking to put the finishing touches to an encouraging off-season in terms of recruitment before the new Premier League campaign commences.

Tottenham Hotspur could move for Brentford striker Ivan Toney this summer window, which may come as a surprise for Spurs supporters given his eight-month ban.

Is Harry Kane leaving Tottenham?

The north Londoners and manager Ange Postecoglou could lose star striker Harry Kane soon as chairman Daniel Levy is given the almighty task of deciding whether to keep or sell before September 1.

Kane has entered the final year of his contract, meaning he could leave for free next summer. Spurs have offered their talisman a huge new deal, but it is believed he won't sign it this window as German champions Bayern Munich continue to pursue an agreement for him.

The prospect of him leaving is a very real one as Tottenham will not want to see their prized asset sign elsewhere for nothing next year.

Postecoglou, speaking to the media earlier this summer, told reporters that the Kane saga is an unwelcome distraction for all involved.

“Fair to say I am not relaxed about it," said the Spurs head coach.

“It’s not something you go: ‘Ah, well, you know if it does or doesn’t happen!’ I mean it’s a very important part of this football club, not just the team, but the football club.

“So, you’ve got to deal with it, and I think, for everyone concerned, we don’t want to be doing it for too long. I don’t think that is good for anyone. I don’t think it is good for Harry, I don’t think it is good for the club, because as laser focused as we want to be, you end up sort of repeating yourself along the way."

Read the latest Tottenham transfer news HERE…

Tottenham, in case Kane does depart, have been looking at striker alternatives – perhaps most notably Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt and Gent's Gift Orban.

Toney, who has been linked with a move to Spurs before, could also be subject to an approach from Postecoglou's side this window – despite his eight-month ban in May for breaching gambling laws.

That's according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, who told GiveMeSport that the Bees striker could tempt Spurs.

“I just wonder if they might risk Richarlison for the first part of the season and obviously Son can play up top as well.

"And then Spurs may look at doing something with Ivan Toney for when he's back from his betting ban in January, but they might even try and sign him now thinking the price might be lower, because he's not available for the first half of the season.”

How good is Ivan Toney?

Scoring 20 goals and assisting four others for Brentford over the 22/23 league season, there is no question that Toney is an elite striker on his day.

Bees boss Thomas Frank even placed a £100 million price tag on his head earlier this year, showing how highly-rated he is.

"He’s coming across so fantastically: he’s humble, calm, but with a mindset of a lion," said Frank in 2021.

"I think for every person or player the sky’s the limit, then we will see in the future where they go.

"First I just want to enjoy Ivan here in my team, and see him grow and be as good as possible, and then we’ll see what happens in the future."

It has been a turbulent summer of transfer business for Wolverhampton Wanderers as they have lost a number of players without being able to bring in replacements as of yet.

Who have Wolves signed this summer?

Outside of Matheus Cunha and Boubacar Traore making their loan deals permanent, Julen Lopetegui has only signed Matt Doherty and Tom King, a 28-year-old goalkeeper from Northampton Town, on free transfers.

This means that the club are yet to spend a penny on transfer fees for any players who were not already at the Molineux stadium during the 2022/23 campaign.

Whereas, they have allowed a number of stars to move on; including Ruben Neves, Nathan Collins, and Raul Jimenez. Ryan Giles and Conor Coady, who were both out on loan last term, have also been sold.

They have, however, recently been linked with a swoop for Stuttgart star Konstantinos Mavropanos, who could be an excellent addition to the squad as Lopetegui's own version of Bayern Munich ace Benjamin Pavard.

How good is Konstantinos Mavropanos?

The colossal 6 foot 3 ace – who is thought to be available for around €20m (£17m), per some reports – enjoyed a terrific season in the Bundesliga and his performances suggest that he has the potential to be a game-changing signing for Wolves.

He averaged a sublime Sofascore rating of 7.26 across 28 appearances as the ex-Arsenal man proved himself to be capable of delivering consistently brilliant displays in a major European league. Meanwhile, no outfield player for Wolves averaged a score higher than 7.26 and only Ruben Nevers recorded a rating higher than 6.90.

This suggests that Mavropanos could be the club's outstanding performer this season if he joins and is able to translate his Bundesliga form over to the Premier League.

FBref have listed Pavard as one of the most similar players to the Greek international based on their respective statistics over the last 365 days and the France international was also the top-performing defender at his club with an average Sofascore rating of 7.36 for the German giants.

Both titans are also exceptional ball-playing centre-backs who have the quality to progress their team up the pitch. They both rank within the top 9% of players in their position in the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions for progressive carries per 90 over the last 365 days.

Pavard (1.58) and Mavropanos (1.46) rank within the top 4% of their positional peers for shot-creating actions per 90, which shows that their ability to carry the ball forward directly leads to chances for their teammates in the final third.

This means that they are two of the best central defenders at the top level when it comes to starting attacks with the ball at their feet at the back, which is another reason why the Greek colossus could be a phenomenal signing for Lopetegui.

The 25-year-old machine, who was once dubbed a "monster" by Borussia Monchengladbach chief Pellegrino Matarazzo, also ranks in the top 1% of centre-backs over the last 365 days for interceptions per 90, which shows that the talented tank is exceptional at reading the game to cut out opposition attacks on a regular basis.

Lopetegui must now push the club to strike a deal for the Stuttgart star as his impressive statistics suggest that he would be a sensational addition and the manager's own version of Bayern's Pavard.

Manchester United are believed to be considering a range of options in their bid to strengthen their centre-back ranks this summer, with a replacement seemingly needed for departing former skipper, Harry Maguire.

Will Man United replace Maguire?

With a £30m deal having been agreed with West Ham United for the sale of Maguire, journalist Graeme Bailey has since reported that the Red Devils have a number of potential targets who they could turn to in order to plug that gap, with Torino's Perr Schuurs among those to have been mentioned.

Writing on Twitter, the transfer insider revealed: "Man Utd are already working hard on centre-back options when Harry Maguire leaves the club. Benjamin Pavard, Jean-Clair Todibo, Perr Schuurs, Jarrad Branthwaite and Antonio Silva all discussed within Old Trafford."

Read the latest Manchester United transfer news HERE…

In his attached piece for 90min – alongside colleague Scott Saunders – Bailey went on to add that the Schuurs is a figure who is 'liked behind the scenes' at Old Trafford, with the 6 foot 3 Dutchman believed to have been valued at around £28m, amid interest from fellow Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur.

How good is Perr Schuurs?

It may not come as a surprise to see United yet again linked with a player who has worked under manager Erik ten Hag previously, with the Dutch tactician having already secured reunions with the likes of Andre Onana, Antony and Lisandro Martinez during his time in Manchester to date.

In the case of Schuurs, the 23-year-old played alongside that trio at Ajax prior to making the move to Turin last summer, having scored three times in 94 appearances in all competitions from his centre-back berth under Ten Hag's watch.

That time in Amsterdam notably saw the Netherlands U21 international likened to one of his compatriots and former teammates, with Edwin Van der Sar stating in 2020 that he "looks very much like Matthijs De Ligt", with fellow United legend Rio Ferdinand also adding:

"I said at the time he reminded me a little bit of De Ligt, who they sold to Juventus. He was strong, an imposing defender who read the game very well. Once he gets his big legs going, he goes out there and is very determined.

"He’s assertive, he understands when to go in and make his tackles."

With De Ligt having been a firm favourite of Ten Hag – after being given the captain's armband at the age of just 18 at the Johan Cruyff Arena – it could represent a real masterstroke to be able to sign a potential clone of the Bayern Munich man.

There may be those wondering whether it may not be better to simply land De Ligt instead, although the former Juventus man is likely to come at a premium as he is valued at €60m (£53m) by CIES Football Observatory, having also been criticised for his form in Germany of late, as ex-Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated that both the 23-year-old – and Sadio Mane – "are not world-class players".

Schuurs, by contrast, has been particularly impressive in Italy of late, with the towering asset having been dubbed a "mountain" at the back by journalist Josh Bunting amid his stellar form in Serie A during the 2022/23 campaign.

That is showcased by the £29k-per-week man's defensive prowess in relation to his peers as he ranks in the top 20% in Europe's top five leagues among those in his position for tackles made per 90, while his ability on the ball is showcased by the fact that he ranks in the top 19% for successful take-ons per 90 – illustrating his ease in possession.

That is in stark contrast to De Ligt, with the senior Netherlands international ranking in just the bottom 21% and the bottom 2% for those same two metrics, respectively, perhaps indicating that he has suffered since leaving his homeland.

Although the 6 foot 2 menace was the man who led Ajax's charge to the Champions League semi-final under Ten Hag back in 2018/19, the United boss could perhaps find a new defensive figurehead by turning to another familiar face in the form of Schuurs.

Everton have constantly been linked with a move for Leeds United winger Wilfried Gnonto this summer and now they know the amount needed to sign him.

Are Everton signing Wilfried Gnonto?

The 19-year-old's future has been a big talking point the more the summer transfer window has gone on, as he pushes for a move away from Elland Road.

While Gnonto seemingly appeared to be happy at Leeds last season, their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship has changed the situation significantly.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

The Italian doesn't want to be plying his trade in the second tier of English football over at least the next 12 months, perhaps understandably, and he has made it clear that he wants to move on, even refusing to play for the Whites.

It is Everton who have stood out as the club most likely to acquire Gnonto's signature before deadline day arrives at the end of this month, but Leeds have held firm up until this point. Now, it looks as though the Toffees know precisely how much will be needed to prise him away this summer.

What's the latest on Wilfried Gnonto to Everton?

According to Football Insider, Leeds are increasingly likely to accept a £25m bid for the exciting attacker in the coming days and weeks, making the situation clear for Everton:

"Leeds United are privately holding out for a fee of at least £25million before considering selling Everton top target Wilfried Gnonto this summer, sources have told Football Insider. Football Insider revealed on Friday that Everton are the frontrunners to land the 19-year-old – and have seen a £20million bid for his services rejected.

"A well-placed source has told Football Insider that a bid of £25million with a favourable payment structure could soften that stance."

Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has said that personal terms on a five-year deal are already agreed with Everton.

This is an encouraging update regarding the Blues' pursuit of Gnonto and it would be foolish for the club not to bid £25m and see what happens, really testing Leeds' resolve in the process.

The teenager is someone who could light up Goodison Park if he seals a summer move there, possessing the rare ability to beat players with ease, not to mention quick feet and end product, having notched six goal contributions (two goals and four assists) in the Premier League last season.

Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Fulham perfectly illustrated why a player of Gnonto's ilk may well be required before the end of the transfer window.

Gary Neville has described Gnonto as "absolutely fantastic" in the past, and considering he is still only 19 years of age currently and already an Italy international on a regular basis, he could only improve further as a player as the years go on, in terms of becoming a more polished footballer in his all-round game, cutting out the rawness that understandably exists in his game currently.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have experienced a difficult summer in the transfer market, with the club unable to spend due to ongoing issues regarding Financial Fair Play (FFP).

The economic crisis at Molineux has widely affected proceedings on the pitch, with departed manager Julen Lopetegui leaving his post just five days prior to the Old Gold’s opening fixture of the 2023/24 calendar.

Things have taken a positive turn through the hiring of former AFC Bournemouth boss Gary O’Neil, but the resounding problem of low squad numbers and little room to manoeuvre in the transfer window still remains.

Despite being unable to spend freely, the Midlands side have been linked to a host of talent this summer, with one name being a player that could significantly bolster the squad should the club be able to sanction a dip into the market.

Who could Wolves sign this summer?

While incomings have been slow, there have been a significant number of players depart Molineux this window, with 14 players bidding farewell to the club through the form of loan moves, expiration of contracts and sales.

Sales have generated much-needed income for the Old Gold, however little attempt has been able to be made to replace those that have left, leaving the squad low on numbers and missing some of the past star quality.

A worrying report in France from Foot Mercato has claimed that another star player is being eyed by others in the market, with Mario Lemina said to be the target for three ‘big Premier League teams’, including Liverpool.

The 29-year-old has become an integral piece of the furniture in Wolverhampton, and a player that could be extremely difficult to replace should the rumours be believed, however a previous target could be the perfect figure to seek should the Gabon international part ways.

At the end of last month, the Old Gold were linked with LaLiga midfielder Guido Rodriguez, with journalist Cesar Luis Merlo claiming that Wolves had made contact with Real Betis in the bid to sign the Argentine.

There has since been no update on the potential transfer of the Betis ace, however should Lemina depart, a swoop for his talent would be the ideal move.

How good is Guido Rodriguez?

Having once been described as being “brutal defensively” by analyst Marcus Bring, Rodriguez was one of Betis’ best performers last season, as suggested by his average match rating of 7.07 in LaLiga, via Sofascore.

The Argentine, like Lemina, is deployed in defensive midfield, making him a strong acquisition for O’Neil to target in place of the trusted former Juventus star.

Based on their respective 2022/23 league campaigns, the players are extremely similar in their approach to play, both being assured presences for their clubs in terms of passing and protecting the back line from threat.

As per FBref, Lemina averaged 2.63 tackles and 1.80 blocks per 90 for Wolves last season, while maintaining a pass completion rate of 86.9%, numbers that were almost mirrored by Rodriguez in Spain.

For Betis, the 29-year-old maintained a pass completion rate of 86.7%, averaging a monstrous 3.60 tackles and 1.82 blocks per 90 in LaLiga, highlighting the similarities between the present and potentially future Wolves players.

O’Neil should consider chasing the talents of the £33k-per-week Argentine should a club come knocking for Lemina, who has attracted sufficient and deserved interest from elsewhere this summer.