£325k-p/w star has exit agreement with Chelsea as Saudi clubs eye transfer

A £325,000-a-week ace has a verbal agreement with Chelsea that he can leave this summer, coming as Saudi sides eye up a summer move for him.

Chelsea players who could be sold soon

The likes of Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah and Raheem Sterling could be sold by Chelsea when the transfer window reopens, as the Blues look to comply with FFP and PSR rules whilst also freeing up funds to strengthen the squad.

Boehly could sell Sterling and sign "relentless" £40m star for Chelsea

The Blues could part ways with the England international by swooping for the young star.

By
Dan Emery

May 20, 2024

Gallagher is seen as Chelsea through and through, with the Englishman also playing a starring role under former boss Mauricio Pochettino during the 2023/2024 season. Selling him would be a deeply unpopular move among their fan base, but his contract is currently set to expire in 2025 with no new deal in sight as things stand.

This gives Chelsea little choice but to sell if they cannot agree an extension, while versatile defender Chalobah is also up for grabs at just £25 million this summer despite his resurgence in the first team lately.

Trevoh Chalobah's best league games for Chelsea over 2023/2024

Match Rating (WhoScored)

Chelsea 5-0 West Ham

7.72

Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham

7.45

Chelsea 6-0 Everton

7.28

Brighton 1-2 Chelsea

7.15

Aston Villa 2-2 Chelsea

7.02

Meanwhile, rumours have suggested lately that Sterling could be sacrificed in swap deals for key Chelsea transfer targets, so a few squad members may well be on the move out of Stamford Bridge past June 14.

There is also the matter of Chelsea's loanees elsewhere, with the board very eager to fully offload striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian, who cost £98 million to re-sign from Inter Milan in 2021, will unfortunately go down as one of the club's biggest-ever flops.

He's been sent on temporary spells back to Inter and to their Serie A rivals Roma in the time he has been a Chelsea player, scoring 26 Italian top-flight goals in total across 22/23 and 23/24.

Lukaku has verbal pact with Chelsea to leave amid Saudi interest

Reports suggest the £325,000-per-week Lukaku has played his last game for Chelsea and will be moved on when the window reopens, and Ben Jacobs has shared an update on this for GiveMeSport.

Romelu Lukaku

The journalist claims Lukaku and Chelsea have a "verbal agreement" he will be sold for £38 million, with Saudi sides taking an interest in the potential transfer opportunity.

"Chelsea want €45m (£38m) for Romelu Lukaku. Their position hasn't changed since last summer. Al-Hilal had a bid for this amount accepted, but Lukaku wanted to stay in Italy," said Jacobs.

“There is no formal release clause, but there is a verbal agreement between Chelsea and Lukaku that he will be sold if someone tables a bid for this amount.

"There remains interest from Saudi, but not from Al-Hilal anymore. The Napoli links could gather pace since their new sporting director Giovanni Manna was the driving force behind Lukaku's proposed move to Juventus last summer."

Lamine Yamal takes on iconic new shirt number for Spain as Barcelona star ditches No.19

Lamine Yamal has taken on a new shirt number for Spain after ditching his No.19 jersey ahead of facing Denmark in the Nations League.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Yamal a superstar of the game
  • Ditches number 19 shirt for Spain
  • Takes on new one for his country
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    According to ESPN Deportes, the 17-year-old will ditch his number 19 shirt for the iconic 10 jersey when playing for Spain. Barcelona team-mate Dani Olmo last wore that number for his country but he is out injured. The report adds it is not clear if Yamal will keep the 10 shirt or just borrow it from Olmo.

  • Advertisement

  • Getty Images

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    With Yamal set to wear the 10 shirt for Spain against Denmark on Saturday, he joins the pantheon of greats to don this number for La Roja. The likes of Cesc Fabregas and Raul have also worn this shirt, so this is quite the honour for the Barca wonderkid – who currently wears the number 19 for the Catalan outfit.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Reports in Spain state there has been speculation that Yamal could one day wear the number 10 shirt at Barcelona – but Ansu Fati currently holds that one. The 22-year-old has been linked with a move away and if he does leave in January, that shirt number could be up for grabs. The likes of Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo have all worn the number 10 shirt at the Blaugrana over the years.

  • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

  • Getty Images

    WHAT NEXT?

    Aside from shirt number speculation, Yamal – who played a key role in his country's Euro 2024 triumph this summer – could feature for Spain against Denmark on Saturday and then again at home to Serbia on Tuesday in a Nations League double-header.

Contact made: Aston Villa make move to sign new £17m defender for Emery

Aston Villa have made contact about signing another new player this summer, with the club’s transfer rumours going into overdrive.

Aston Villa transfer rumours

NSWE and Monchi appear to be willing to act this summer, looking to bolster Unai Emery’s squad ahead of the 2024/25 season when Champions League football will return to Villa Park.

A plethora of players have been linked with moves to the Midlands, with some transfers seemingly closer than others. For example, former loanee Ross Barkley appears to be close to signing for Villa on a permanent basis from Luton Town following an impressive Premier League campaign.

Meanwhile, a summer raid on La Liga could be on the cards. Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso appears to be on course to join for free, with talks also held for Barcelona centre-back Ronald Araujo who is loved by Emery and Monchi. An offer in the region of £12.8m has also been submitted for Sevilla left-back and long-term target Marcos Acuna.

Elsewhere, Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot is being looked at having worked with Emery at Paris Saint-Germain, with the Frenchman potentially out of contract in the coming weeks. Additions in attack with young Ghanian striker Aziz Musibau from Dreams FC have also been mooted, with the teenager already compared to Didier Drogba.

Now, another name has emerged on the Villa radar, with the club’s first move to sign him already made.

Aston Villa make enquiry for £17m defender

According to The Mirror, Aston Villa have joined the race to sign Gent left-back Archie Brown alongside top-flight rivals Crystal Palace. Both Villa and Palace have been in contact over a deal, with Brown also linked with Chelsea, Everton, West Ham and Lyon. The report states that Gent would want around £17m for Brown’s services.

Archie Brown

The 22-year-old, who came through the academy with Derby County, has gained senior experience playing in Switzerland with Lausanne and now in Belgium with Gent.

Aston Villa lying in wait as Leeds now under pressure to sell £15k-p/w star

There could be a bargain to be had at Villa Park.

By
Ben Browning

May 28, 2024

Speaking recently, Brown was asked if we could soon see him return to England in the Premier League, where he laid out his aspirations to play in the Champions League.

"Not to sound generic, but I just want to be the version of myself as I can – if I can continue to be a student of the game, respect the game and try to reach the highest level I can possible, we'll see where that takes me.

"It might take me back to England and the Premier League, but it may take me somewhere in Europe. My aspiration is to play at the highest level possible, to play in the Champions League and compete for league titles. I know I have the ability, I know what's going on inside my mind – I just need to keep respecting the game and see where takes me."

As we all know, Villa can offer Champions League football right now, so that could help them in their apparent pursuit of the left-back, making this one to watch.

Newcastle can land a Bruno & Joelinton hybrid in £50m gem

Newcastle United's heavy spending under the Saudi PIF could be set to continue in the summer, with the Magpies needing to dramatically improve their squad depth.

The club have looked depleted in multiple areas this campaign and undoubtedly will be looking to strengthen the defensive department after the long-term injuries suffered by Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles, with the two centre-backs ruled out for up to nine months after respective ACL surgeries.

However, the Magpies will target another midfielder this window, with Eddie Howe’s side suffering with numerous issues in that department.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.

Joelinton has struggled with a thigh problem in recent months but has formed an excellent partnership with compatriot Bruno Guimaraes when fit.

Fellow midfielder Sandro Tonali has missed the majority of the season after his summer move, following his ban for betting in Italy. He’s set to return to action in October, but it’s unknown what fitness levels the former AC Milan man will possess after his lengthy spell on the sidelines.

After his suspension and the recent injuries, the club are targeting another midfielder this summer, with Howe needing to target one player in particular who’s caught the eye this season.

Newcastle must revive interest in Premier League talent

In recent months, Newcastle have been linked with a move for 24-year-old Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, following his excellent campaign under Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea's Conor Gallagher.

The Chelsea academy graduate has featured 37 times in the Premier League this season under the Argentinian, scoring five times and assisting seven – in a campaign where he's been utilised in a more advanced role.

Despite his good form in London, he could be set to depart the club, with the likes of Aston Villa also interested in signing the talent who is valued at £50m.

Gallagher has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur ahead of the summer window, with Howe's side facing tough competition to sign the ace.

The battle is undoubtedly going to be a tough one to win for any of the sides, but the Magpies must sign the England international, with Gallagher producing stats making him the perfect Guimaraes and Joelinton hybrid.

Why Gallagher could be the perfect Guimaraes & Joelinton hybrid

When looking at the statistical record of Gallagher over the last 365 days on FBref, he’s noted as a similar player to the Brazilian pair – indicating how he could fit in smoothly at St James' Park.

The "phenomenal" midfielder, as dubbed by one Chelsea scout, has won 47% of his aerial duels and made 34 clearances – with both stats marginally higher than both of the Magpies' current midfielders.

Conor Gallagher for Chelsea

The Englishman has also dominated in possession, with the Chelsea talent averaging a 59% take-on success and an 89% pass completion rate – demonstrating his qualities with and without the ball.

There's no denying that Guimaraes is a crucial cog in Howe's side, but Gallagher has been very underrated in an underperforming side, with his ability in and out of possession potentially completing Newcastle's midfield puzzle.

How Gallagher compares to Guimaraes & Joelinton in 23/24

Statistics

Gallagher

Guimaraes

Joelinton

Games

37

37

20

Goals + Assists

12

15

3

Progressive carries

62

65

29

Goals per 90

0.1

0.2

0.1

Pass accuracy

89%

84%

84%

Tackles won

43%

52%

37%

Aerials won

47%

43%

35%

Stats via FBref

With Guimaraes at the base and Gallagher alongside him, the central trio would seemingly then be completed by the aforementioned Joelinton, with the Brazilian committing his future to the club, signing a new long-term deal on Tyneside.

As such, Howe and the Saudi PIF should hijack any attempts from other Premier League clubs and bring the Chelsea midfielder to St James' Park this summer.

Newcastle make approach for "phenomenal" £30m titan who's Gibbs-White 2.0

The Magpies are still looking to bolster their midfield ahead of next season.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 6, 2024

No repeat of the Virgil van Dijk situation! Liverpool hoping to tie Ibrahima Konate & Jarrell Quansah down to new contracts

Liverpool are planning to offer new contracts to defenders Ibrahima Konate and Jarell Quansah to avoid a Virgil van Dijk situation.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Liverpool want to offer new deals to Konate and Quansah
  • Van Dijk yet to agree to sign a new deal
  • Alexander-Arnold could leave the club next season
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Three Liverpool stars, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, are out of contract at the end of the current season and the players are yet to agree to put pen to paper on a new deal. The contract situation of the Reds stars has been a major headache for new manager Arne Slot. To avoid such a situation in the future, the Merseyside club are planning to offer new deals to Konate and Quansah, according to The Times.

  • Advertisement

  • Getty Images Sport

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Twenty-one-year-old Quansah made his senior debut for Liverpool in 2021 after graduating from their academy. While the youngster still has three years left in his existing contract, the club are already planning to extend it as they consider it to be a reward for his consistency on the pitch. Konate, on the other hand, has two years left in his contract. After a disappointing outing in the 2023-24 campaign, the French defender has significantly improved under Slot's tutelage having scored twice. The Premier League giants have initiated preliminary talks to tie him down to a new long-term deal.

  • DID YOU KNOW?

    Alexander-Arnold's future at Anfield has also come under scrutiny as the right-back has attracted interest from Real Madrid. The England international will be free to negotiate with clubs abroad if he fails to agree to a new deal before January.

  • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

  • Getty Images

    WHAT NEXT?

    Along with securing Konate and Quansah's services, the Merseyside giants will also hope that ace defender Van Dijk agrees on a new deal soon. The Dutchman had earlier claimed that he was still waiting for a new contract offer from the club.

USMNT star Christian Pulisic reveals what ‘changed my career around’ – with ‘Captain America’ reflecting on transfer from Chelsea to AC Milan

Christian Pulisic has revealed what “changed my career around”, with the USMNT star reflecting on his decision to leave Chelsea for AC Milan.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Spent four years at Stamford Bridge
  • Left for San Siro in summer of 2023
  • Has become a key man for Rossoneri
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Despite becoming a history-making Champions League winner at Stamford Bridge, the United States international made a brave career call in the summer of 2023 when swapping life in west London for that in northern Italy.

  • Advertisement

  • Getty

    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Pulisic adapted quickly to a new country and culture, with a personal-best return of 15 goals recorded across his debut campaign at San Siro. The 26-year-old forward has become a talismanic presence for the Rossoneri, with a spark being rekindled that had been in danger of fizzling out.

  • WHAT PULISIC SAID

    Pulisic has told the YouTube channel of becoming the best version of himself in Milan: "I’m loving Italy, Italy has been… dude it has changed my career around. Just the club as well, Milan has been just so enjoyable.

    "The fans, the stadium… you guys got to get out to San Siro. Our stadium is just… I’ve never seen anything like it man. I live right by Lake Como, Milan, everything’s right there, Switzerland. You’re close to everything."

  • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

  • Getty

    WHAT NEXT?

    Pulisic, who has a further six goals to his name this season, is tied to a contract through to 2027 – with there already talk of those terms being extended. He has returned to Europe early from the latest USMNT camp and will be hoping to star for Milan in Serie A again when they play host to Udinese on Saturday.

Medical scheduled: Rangers closing in on dream Dessers replacement

Glasgow Rangers have started their preparation for next season already, signing two players in Jefte and Oscar Cortes, with more to come in the coming weeks.

Indeed, a fresh update has emerged on Philippe Clement’s transfer plans as it appears he is closing in on a new striker…

Rangers close in on move for new striker

According to the Daily Record, the Light Blues have struck a €2m (£1.7m) deal in order to complete the signing of Moroccan sensation, Hamza Igamane, who plays for AS Far in his homeland.

The report suggests that the player is now waiting to undergo a medical in order for the deal to truly be finalised.

He isn’t the only centre-forward that Clement is looking to bring to Ibrox this summer either. Albion Rrahmani has been linked with a £6m move from FC Rapid Bucharest, and it is evident that the Belgian is determined to bolster his attacking options.

Kemar Roofe departed at the end of his contract last month, while Fabio Silva and Abdallah Sima both returned to their parent clubs following the end of their loan spells, leaving Clement short of options up front.

He still has Cyriel Dessers and Danilo to call upon ahead of next season, but could a few more arrivals in his position spell bad news for the Nigerian centre-forward after a mixed debut campaign in Glasgow?

Cyriel Dessers

Dessers' debut season in numbers

Arriving in a new country and scoring 22 goals across all competitions in your debut season for a club would usually be considered a success.

This is what Dessers achieved last term, chipping in with nine assists in 54 matches for the Light Blues, which works out as a goal contribution every 1.74 matches, which is an impressive statistic.

Cyriel Dessers' stats for Rangers last season

Metric

Premiership

Europa League

Goal

16

1

Assists

4

1

Shots on target per game

1.4

0.1

Conversion rate

16%

33%

Key passes per game

1.4

1

Big chances created

8

0

Successful dribbles per game

0.4

0.4

Via Sofascore

Despite this, however, Dessers often missed way more chances than he scored, sometimes taking three or four efforts before finally finding the back of the net during games.

In the Premiership alone, the 29-year-old may have scored 16 goals in 35 matches, yet he conspired to miss a staggering 27 big chances during those matches. Even if the striker had converted half of those, he would have scored nearly 30 goals for a league campaign.

Dessers also managed just 1.4 shots on target per game along with succeeding with just 0.4 dribble attempts each match, often looking isolated as the lone centre-forward.

In October, he was criticised by the supporters after going on a scoring drought, yet he appeared relaxed and ready to hit the goal trail, saying: “At a certain moment, it got under my skin and it affects your confidence a little bit,” he said.

Cyriel Dessers

“But luckily, I’ve been through this before in my career and I know my qualities, I know what I can do and I know I will show them this season.”

There was certainly no faulting his effort, as he gave 100% every time he stepped out onto the pitch, but if Clement truly wishes to give Celtic a proper title challenge next season, he must sign strikers who won't miss over 25 big chances during a league campaign.

Clement could boldly ditch Dessers in Rangers move for £6m machine

Rangers could be set to add another striker or two to their squad this summer

By
Ross Kilvington

Jun 15, 2024

Igamane might be an unknown quantity on these shores, but he could be exactly the type of player Rangers need to cause some chaos up top.

Hamza Igamane’s season in numbers

The youngster featured 23 times for his club during the 2023/24 campaign, scoring seven goals and grabbing six assists, showcasing his talents both in front of goal and for setting up chances for his teammates.

While his 12% shot conversion rate may be a tad worrying for the supporters, it is clear this is a player who could only get better by playing alongside better players, therefore a move to Ibrox would be beneficial for his development.

Igamane averaged 2.9 total shots per game in the league for AS FAR last term, succeeding with 1.9 dribbles per game – a success rate of 64% – and winning an impressive 6.7 total duels per game, suggesting that he was strong in one-on-one battles, both on the ground and in the air.

He was also a nightmare for defenders, being fouled 1.1 on average per game, which is again evidence of the threat he poses in the final third, and he could end up being a wildcard option for Clement.

The Belgian is clearly adopting a different model in this summer's transfer window, going for a more youthful approach as he looks to build a side which will develop over time, hopefully yielding massive profits in the future.

Igamane certainly fits the bill and his rise recently has not gone unnoticed, especially by CIES Football Observatory. They have ranked the top U23 centre-forwards as per their performance score over the last year and Igamane is currently ranked seventh.

While this may not seem too exciting, it is interesting to see the company he keeps, as players such as Benjamin Sesko, Nicolas Jackson, Gonçalo Ramos and Kenan Yildiz, who have all burst onto the scene and secured bumper moves in the last few years, are above the Moroccan striker on the list.

Hailed as "one to watch" by scout Beth Limb earlier this year, Igamane could be a player for the future, no doubt about it.

For £1.7m, it looks as though signing the 21-year-old could turn into an extremely wise investment by Clement and his backroom staff, especially considering how much potential he has to grow in the coming years.

Far too often in the past have the club gone for the safe option in the transfer window, spending big wages on players who are coming for one final payday in Glasgow.

It is time a new strategy was used, and the 50-year-old tactician appears to be doing that this summer. Nothing will be found out until the season starts properly, after the club have secured all their signings.

While it may be a gamble going for unheralded names, Clement may come across a few golden nuggets in his search, which could see him boost their finances.

If the likes of Igamane and Rrahmani arrive in Scotland, could this spell the end for Dessers? Considering he is 29, a decent offer for the Nigerian international must surely be considered, as Clement could use the funds towards making more signings.

Arsenal struck gold on Arteta signing who’s now worth more than Gyokeres

Arsenal may have fallen just short of ending their Premier League title drought last season, but it was another year in which they took a step forward under Mikel Arteta.

When he took over in 2019, the Gunners were a listless midtable side, but they now look destined to win some major silverware in the coming years.

The Spaniard has cleared out most of the dead wood from the squad and brought in a plethora of talented stars, such as Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard, and with the transfer window open, he looks ready to add more.

One of the latest players touted for a move to the Emirates is Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, and while he'd be an exciting addition, the Gunners already have a talented forward who is worth even more than him in the squad.

Kai Havertz's Arsenal career

The man in question is none other than German forward Kai Havertz, who was a shock £65m purchase from cross-city rivals Chelsea last summer.

It would be fair to describe the transfer as somewhat unpopular at the time, with pundits such as Gabby Agbonlahor describing the former Bayer Leverkusen man as a "joke" just a month into the season – don't hold back, Gabby.

However, after a rough first half of the campaign in which he was mainly played as a left-eight, the 25-year-old was given a chance to start up top, and from that point on, he became one of the Gunners' best players.

Havertz's form this season

Position

Midfield

Striker

Starts

32

18

Goals

6

8

Assists

0

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.18

0.83

All Stats via Transfermarkt

In just 18 starts as a centre-forward, the "magnificent" ace, as talent scout Jacek Kulig described him, scored 18 goals and provided seven assists, meaning he averaged a goal involvement every 1.20 games.

In contrast, when he started in midfield, he only scored six goals in 32 appearances, which equates to a much poorer average of one goal involvement every 5.33 games.

He wasn't just scoring consolation goals or the sixth in a 6-0 thumping, either. For example, he scored in the club's 3-2 North London Derby win, grabbed the late winner against Brentford and ensured the team ended the campaign with a win thanks to a late goal against Everton.

In all, while he might not be the most aesthetically pleasing player around and have a gaff or two in him, the "versatile" Havertz, as dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, more than repaid Arteta's faith in him last season and while the club are linked to a new number nine, the German's value is higher.

Kai Havertz's valuation in 2024

Gyokeres is the name most heavily linked with a move to Arsenal at the moment, and the latest is that he might be joining for a fee of around £76m, and while that's a lot of money, it is less than the Gunners' current star forward is valued at.

viktor-gyokeres-transfer-gossip-leeds-united-farke-aston-villa-cameron-archer

According to the CIES Football Observatory, Havertz is now worth €100m, which converts to around £85m, or about £9m more than the club look set to pay for the Swedish international.

A couple of key factors contribute to Havertz's high valuation. The first, and perhaps most significant, is his outstanding form.

In his final 14 league appearances last season, the Aachen-born marksman scored nine goals and provided six assists, averaging a goal involvement every 0.93 games, which is undeniably impressive under the pressure of a title race.

The second reason for his increased valuation is his contract. As things stand, the former Blues forward has four years remaining on his £180k-per-week deal, which puts the North Londoners in a great position to demand what they like for him should other sides come calling.

Arsenal keen on “insane” Gyokeres alternative who’d save them millions

The “outrageous” forward was incredible last season.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 24, 2024

Ultimately, while he has his detractors, it would be hard to argue that Havertz didn't have a good campaign overall last season, and while Arsenal look ready to splash £76m on a new out-and-out striker this summer, they can rest assured that they already have a versatile attacker worth even more in the squad.

Raphinha admits considering Barcelona exit 'several' times as Brazilian opens up on 'self doubt' before exploding for La Liga giants

Raphinha has admitted he considered leaving Barcelona "several" times, while opening up on his "self doubt" before hitting form for the La Liga team.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

  • Raphinha joined Barcelona in 2022
  • Nearly left on "several" occasions
  • Admits to "self doubt" at Barca
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    The Brazil international swapped Leeds United for Barcelona in 2022 for an initial fee of £50 million ($59m) and since then he has gone onto skipper the Catalan outfit. However, the winger has repeatedly been linked with an exit from the Blaugrana, but now he is very content with Hansi Flick's team.

  • Advertisement

  • Getty

    WHAT RAPHINHA SAID

    He told : "Man, there were several moments, not just one [when I considered leaving Barça]. My first six months here, the period from the summer transfer window until the World Cup, was a season in which I didn't have the best of starts, so it crossed my mind to leave the club. There was a lot of self doubt. I have a nasty habit of criticising myself heavily, so to speak, so that pressure made me think about leaving. Then, obviously, after the World Cup I had a huge turnaround, managing to put up great numbers in six months. Last season, after the injuries I had, the sending off [against Getafe in the first game of the campaign], and also at the end of the season, seeing a lot of things that the club wanted to sell me, that the fans wanted me to leave, it also ends up crossing your mind to leave, to go somewhere where there's no pressure."

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The 27-year-old has become a vital player at Barcelona, particularly this season where he has scored nine goals and created eight assists in just 13 games in all competitions, including a Champions League hat-trick against Bayern Munich in midweek. The links with a transfer exit may fade away off the back of his stellar form for Barca.

  • ENJOYED THIS STORY?

    Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

  • (C)Getty Images

    WHAT NEXT?

    Raphinha is likely to feature for Barcelona in their Clasico clash away at bitter rivals on Saturday night in a top-of-the-table La Liga encounter. Barca are three points ahead of Los Blancos heading into this crunch game.

Arsenal hit gold on "world-class" ace who’s worth way more than Calafiori

The transfer window is heating up after a few weeks of relative quiet.

On the back of another Premier League campaign in which they almost dethroned Manchester City, Arsenal have already announced their first signing, 18-year-old Lucas Nygaard, and have been linked to practically every striker under the sun as it's one of the obvious areas in the team that could be improved.

However, one of the most recent players touted for a move to N5 has been Italy and Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori.

The 22-year-old looks to be one of the most exciting young centre-backs around at the moment, and while he'd likely be a brilliant addition to the Gunners' backline, they already have someone playing there who is worth considerably more.

William Saliba's Arsenal career

The star in question is the one and only William Saliba, who has established himself as one of the leading centre-backs in the Premier League in just two seasons of first-team football. However, his future didn't always seem so inevitable.

Just over five years ago, Arsenal paid Saint-Étienne a fee of around £27m for the then highly sought-after 18-year-old centre-back, and opted to send him back to the French outfit for the 2019/20 campaign to further develop.

The following summer saw the Bondy-born gem return to England, but after being left out of the competitive squads, he was sent back to France to join Nice on loan in January, leading to speculation over his future in North London.

This speculation only increased the following season when he was sent back to his home country for a third campaign on the bounce to join Ligue 1 giants Marseille, where he thrived.

In all, he made 52 appearances for Les Phocéens, won the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season Award, and looked, for all intents and purposes, like he would stay on the French Riviera permanently at one point.

William Saliba's senior career

Club

Saint-Étienne

Nice

Marseille

Arsenal

Appearances

36

22

52

83

Goals

0

1

0

5

Assists

0

0

0

2

Goal Involvements per Match

0.00

0.04

0.00

0.08

All Stats via Transfermarkt

However, once the season ended, and he returned to England, he was finally given a chance to prove his worth in red and white.

His competitive debut for the Gunners came in the opening game of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, a game away to Crystal Palace, and, thanks to a stellar performance, he won the Player of the Match award.

From that point onward, the 6 foot 4 titan went from strength to strength and became arguably the most important player on the team, so much so that it was his injury against Sporting CP that signalled the end of Arsenal's surprise title challenge. To reflect his massive contribution, he was awarded a new contract last summer.

It was more of the same last season. With no injury concerns, the French international started 100% of league games and played 100% of league minutes for Arteta as the team once again came agonizingly close to ending the club's two-decade title drought.

Saliba's impressive rise to the top and his brilliant performances at the Euros have seen his valuation soar in recent years. His potential impact on the team is immense, and while Calafiori would be an exciting addition to the defence, his valuation is nowhere near that of the Arsenal star.

Saliba's valuation in 2024

If Arsenal want to secure Calafiori's signature ahead of the chasing pack this summer, it will cost them around £40m to do so, and while that is undoubtedly a significant sum of money, it is still significantly less than the price tag on Saliba's head.

According to Transfermarkt, the "world-class" centre-back, as dubbed by data analyst Ben Mattinson, is worth around €80m, which converts to about £68m, or a cool £28m more than the Italian's potential transfer fee.

Now, considering the importance of the Frenchman to Arsenal's success and the willingness of clubs to spend exorbitant fees on players, you could argue that Transfermarkt have been quite conservative with their valuation there.

Moreover, with reports that Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and even Real Madrid are all interested in luring the 23-year-old away from North London, it seems unlikely that the Gunners would accept any offers of around £68m, especially when there are still three years remaining on his £190k-per-week contract.

Ultimately, Calafiori would be an exciting signing, but Arsenal are already incredibly fortunate to have one of the Premier League's best centre-backs in Saliba.

Nketiah upgrade: Arsenal signal interest in "Haaland-esque" striker

The incredible youngster has a “big future ahead.”

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jul 1, 2024

Game
Register
Service
Bonus