Manchester United are now keen on signing a “talented” PSG defender who is free to leave the French capital in search of more playing time, according to a new report.
INEOS identify new transfer targets for Man Utd
There are still over 40 days remaining in this transfer window, and given what was reported of what United would like to do this summer, it could be a busy few weeks for the Red Devils as they look to wrap up a deal for Bryan Mbeumo and many more.
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The Premier League giants have now made contact with Aston Villa over the signing of Emiliano Martinez, who appears to be a top target when it comes to replacing Andre Onana, but he is not the only deal the club are working on.
Ben Jacobs reported on Tuesday evening that United hold a genuine interest in Pervis Estupiñán and have held talks with the representatives of the defender.
Meanwhile, a new report has revealed that the Red Devils have registered their interest in signing Andre from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Brazilian impressed for the Midlands side last season, and now he is wanted by United as well as Liverpool, who could sign him for just £30 million.
Man Utd keen on signing "talented" £25m+ defender
Estupiñán may not be the only defender to arrive at Old Trafford this summer, as according to a report from Spain, Man United are now interested in signing Lucas Beraldo from PSG.
Paris St Germain's Lucas Beraldo, Nuno Mendes, Gianluigi Donnarumma and BradleyBarcola
It was previously reported that the defender has handed in a transfer request, as he wants to play regular football, and given the French champions want players who are 100% committed to the club, they have agreed to part ways.
PSG are ready to replace the young defender and United are very keen, as they believe he still has time to develop in a new environment. The 21-year-old joined the Champions League winners back in January 2024 and has gone on to play 62 times for the club in all competitions.
It had previously been reported that PSG would look to get at least €30 million (£25 million) for Beraldo, who has been dubbed “talented” by scout Jacek Kulig.
Beraldo played 25 times in Ligue 1 last season, 22 of which came as a starter, but the defender only appeared in four Champions League games, as the club went on to claim victory. Beraldo did have more of an impact in the Club World Cup this summer, as he played five times and made three starts, but it now appears he could have played his last game for the club.
His potential arrival at Old Trafford would see him come up against Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven and Lisandro Martínez in a bid to be a regular starter in Ruben Amorim’s back three.
While there is still some work to be done, Chelsea have been incredibly effective in the transfer market this summer.
Enzo Maresca and Co. clearly wanted the majority of their first-team additions to be before the start of pre-season, and they’ve largely succeeded.
One team that has been quite the opposite is Manchester United, who got their hands on Matheus Cunha early but then proceeded to take well over a month to agree a fee for Bryan Mbeumo.
The Europa League runners-up look to have finally got their man for a price that could reach £70m with add-ons, and now it looks like Chelsea want to sign someone who’s been compared to the Cameroonian international.
Chelsea target their own Mbeumo
Chelsea should enter next season full of confidence, as, in addition to the team that secured them fourth place last year, they’ve added some serious talent.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The likes of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro will undoubtedly make Maresca’s side far more potent upfront, and the tremendously exciting Jamie Gittens should add more quality to the left-wing position.
Moreover, the West Londoners have shipped off Noni Madueke to Arsenal for a profit and could be set to earn a sizable payday on some of their other unwanted players.
Noni Madueke for Chelsea
The Conference League champions are not done there, though, as they now look determined to bring in a young attacker who could be their answer to Mbeumo.
At least, that’s according to a recent report in Friday’s print edition of Spanish publication Sport, as relayed by Sport Witness, which claims Chelsea are seriously interested in Xavi Simons.
The report reveals that, alongside United, the Blues have held talks over a move for the Dutch international, although the reported price tag of around €70m is proving to be a problem.
It could end up being a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but Simons has proven he’d be worth spending big on, especially as he could be Maresca’s own Mbeumo.
How Simons compares to Mbeumo
One of the most significant comparisons between Simons and Mbeumo stems from FBref, which analysed players in Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League across the last 365 days.
It then concluded that the Brentford star was the fourth most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the RB Leipzig star.
The best way to understand how that conclusion was reached is by examining some of the underlying metrics in which the pair ranked closely.
Non-Penalty G+As
0.48
0.42
Progressive Carries
3.56
3.43
Shots
2.09
2.08
Shots on Target
0.96
0.90
Expected Assists
0.25
0.25
Goal-Creating Actions
0.50
0.53
Tackles Won
0.88
0.82
Successful Take-Ons
1.38
1.37
These include things like non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive carries, goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, tackles won, shots and more, all per 90.
These numbers help show that, although he’s three years his junior, the former Paris Saint-Germain gem, who one analyst has dubbed “one of the best 10s in the world,” is just as adept at creating and scoring chances.
Moreover, both players are positionally versatile, with the soon-to-be United star thriving on the right, as a second striker, or up top, while the Amsterdam-born dynamo can play off either wing or in the ten.
Finally, both players were effective outlets for their respective teams last season, with the Cameroon international scoring 20 goals and providing nine assists in 42 games, as the Blues target scored 11 goals and provided eight assists in 33 games.
Ultimately, it won’t be cheap, but Chelsea should do what they can to sign Simons this summer as he would add some serious quality to their squad and be the perfect answer to Mbeumo.
He'll take Pedro to the next level: Chelsea make offer to sign £86m star
The incredible forward would be a game-changer for Chelsea and Joao Pedro.
Rangers are now believed to have held talks over the signing of a “fantastic” attacking player ahead of next season, in a significant new transfer update.
Rangers chasing exciting signings
Russell Martin will be looking to make a flying start to his spell in charge of the Gers, as they look to wrestle the Scottish Premiership title away from Celtic in 2025/26.
New signings are a must if that is to happen, however, and Rangers continue to be linked with some exciting additions, not least Leicester City icon Jamie Vardy.
The Englishman has played his final game for the Foxes after announcing his decision to leave at the end of last season, and he stands out as an eye-catching option for the Gers, having proven himself at the very highest level over so many years, both in the Premier League and on the international stage with England.
Elsewhere, Rangers are said to be pushing hard to complete the signing of another Leicester player, Conor Coady, while Maccabi Tel Aviv winger Weslley Patati is also seen as a target for Martin’s side.
Rangers hold talks over legendary addition
According to a fresh claim from Football Insider, Rangers have now “held preliminary talks” over the signing of Vardy this summer, with the Scottish giants “accelerating their pursuit” of him.
It is stated that the 38-year-old is the “subject of interest from a number of sides worldwide, including clubs in the United States”, and Martin “feels that the former England international would be a smart signing” for his new club.
At 38, Vardy’s very best days are clearly behind him, but he remains an impressive performer who still possesses plenty of pace and ruthlessness in attacking areas, being hailed as “fantastic” by Claudio Ranieri earlier this year, as well as being lauded by Gary Lineker.
The Leicester legend is one of the best strikers to have ever graced the Premier League, and his passionate style of play, not to mention his ability to wind up opposition players and supporters, could make him an instant hit at Rangers. He holds a net worth of £9m to boot, so if he moved north of the border to play it would be with the intent of winning trophies, not just a final paycheque.
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The Gers may only get a year or two out of Vardy, but if he manages to guide them back to Scottish title glory, he will have done more than enough to justify a short-term stay at Ibrox.
Nottingham Forest are now willing to make a £21m bid for a “superb” midfielder, which would be enough to get a deal over the line, according to a report.
Forest eyeing new signings amid Elanga uncertainty
After making an unexpected push for the Champions League places last season, there was also going to be interest in some of Forest’s best-performing players this summer, and the future of Anthony Elanga remains very much up in the air.
Newcastle United, who pipped the Tricky Trees to a fifth-place finish, are now thought to be closing in on a move for Elanga, which would be a major blow, given that the Sweden international amassed 17 Premier League goal contributions in the 2024-25 campaign.
As such, Nuno has been running the rule over potential replacements for the winger, with FC Porto’s Pepe believed to be of interest, having held talks over a deal for the 28-year-old, while Juventus’ Timothy Weah has turned down a move to the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest set to make £20m+ move for EURO 2024 Golden Boot winner
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Having missed out on Weah, Nottingham Forest have now turned their attentions to another Serie A player, with a report from Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) revealing they are now willing to make a €25m (£21m) offer for AC Milan midfielder Yunus Musah.
Musah is described as being one of the key candidates to leave Milan, with the Italian club looking to raise funds for their own transfer business, and a move to the City Ground could be on the cards, as there is a belief he could shine in the Premier League.
AC Milan'sYunusMusahin action with Girona's Donny van de Beek
Milan would be likely to accept a £21m offer, but there is set to be competition for the central midfielder’s signature, with Wolverhampton Wanderers also willing to make a bid of the same value.
"Superb" Musah could flourish at Forest
Despite being just 22-years-old, the maestro already has plenty of experience in some major European leagues, making 108 appearances with Valencia, before going on to receive regular game time with current club AC Milan.
During that time, the USA international has displayed his versatility, predominantly featuring in central midfield, but also playing on both wings, perhaps due to his stellar dribbling ability, ranking in the 93rd percentile for successful take-ons per 90 over the past year.
Scout Jacek Kulig also lauded the American for his “superb” performances at the 2022 World Cup, showcasing his ability to perform at the top level, which could make the Milan ace a solid signing for a Forest side with aspirations of competing in Europe.
Nuno’s side should be wary of Wolves’ interest, but Europa Conference League football being on offer at the City Ground next season could give them an edge in negotiations for Musah.
Everton manager David Moyes will be aiming to bolster his squad ahead of the club’s first season at their new stadium.
So far, the Toffees have yet to make a signing this summer, but there are several positions that need improving ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Much will depend on just how much money Moyes has to spend during the transfer window, and he might have to make a sale or two in order to fund potential moves.
It looks as though the club have been linked with a Juventus star who could turn into the next Iliman Ndiaye for Everton…
Everton eyeing up Serie A star
According to news outlet Foot Mercato, the Toffees are among the clubs interested in making a move for Juventus midfielder Timothy Weah this summer.
The report states that four European clubs are keen on the American, including Tottenham Hotspur, along with a couple of unnamed clubs.
No price tag is mentioned regarding a move, but with Weah having three years left on his current deal with the Serie A giants, Moyes would have to pay a decent fee to sign him.
Juventus forward Timothy Weah
It is evident that the club need some more attacking reinforcements, particularly on the right wing, and Weah fits the bill.
Not only that, but he could turn out to be another Iliman Ndiaye for Moyes.
Why Everton must sign Timothy Weah
Ndiaye was arguably one of the bright sparks of a season which won’t exactly be remembered fondly.
The Senegal international scored 11 goals for the Toffees last season, and without him, who knows where they would have finished?
When compared to wingers across Europe’s top five leagues, Ndiaye is the tenth-most comparable player to Weah.
The pair registered similar statistics over a range of metrics last term, including goals and assists (seven vs nine), shots per 90 (1.15 vs 1.3), shot-creating actions per 90 (1.98 vs 2.41), shot on target percentage (both 42.9), and crosses (44 vs 38).
This range of statistics proves that Weah could replicate the success Ndiaye enjoyed at the club should he make the move to the Premier League.
Goals
5
Assists
2
Big chances created
4
Key passes per game
0.6
Successful dribbles per game
0.4
Shots per game
0.7
Having another attacking option like the Senegal star would be highly advantageous for Moyes; that much is certain.
Despite his talent, Weah didn’t settle at a club until he moved to Lille in 2019. Across 107 games for the club, he registered 16 goal contributions, and this sealed a move to Juventus.
The 2024/25 season was his most productive. Not only did he find the back of the net six times, but the American also recorded five assists for the Old Lady.
Brendan Rodgers once hailed Weah as “wonderful” during a loan spell at Celtic. Could a fresh start in England finally see the player live up to his potential?
With Ndiaye on the left and Weah on the right, Moyes could have the perfect formula to cause havoc whilst attacking defences throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
Everton's new Richarlison: TFG line up move to sign "clinical" £17m CF
Everton are in the market for a centre-forward this summer, and they could find their next Richarlison.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin heading for the exit door, Everton have turned their attention towards a La Liga star and are now reportedly ready to match his release clause worth over £30m.
Everton set to lose Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin’s contract situation is one that has been rumbling on for some time. In truth, however, a new deal has never really seemed likely for the academy graduate, who now looks destined to depart as a free agent at the end of this month.
It puts the Toffees in an interesting position. Whilst they wouldn’t have been desperate to lose an academy graduate, Calvert-Lewin’s form and injury history across recent years have hardly made him the main man in Merseyside, especially with Beto finding his feet under David Moyes in the second half of last season.
2024/25
3
2023/24
7
2022/23
2
2021/22
16
Circumstances have been tough at times, but Calvert-Lewin’s drop-off is undeniable. From scoring 16 goals in one season to finally bursting into life and finding his best form, the forward has managed a combined total of 12 in the last three seasons. For all parties, an exit makes perfect sense.
That said, Everton must still replace the 28-year-old and they seem well aware of that. The Friedkin Group already attempted to make a statement by winning the race to sign Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, only for Chelsea to come calling with an offer that the forward could not and did not refuse.
Now, they’re back to the drawing board. Ahead of a new era, a marquee signing to lead the line certainly wouldn’t go amiss. After missing out on Delap, the big question is just who Everton will turn to in the coming months.
The rumours are coming thick and fast regarding a La Liga star, however, who has a similar release clause to the aforementioned Delap.
Everton ready to match Thierno Barry's release clause
According to TEAMtalk, Everton are now ready to meet Thierno Barry’s release clause this summer which is worth €40m (£34m) this summer. Having initially shown interest in the Villarreal forward, those in Merseyside are reportedly ready to step up their move to commence their transfer business with the La Liga star also keen on a move.
It’s clear to see why Everton are so eager to push on with their move for Barry too. The 22-year-old got off to a rapid start at Villarreal last season, earning the praise of scout Jacek Kulig who dubbed him an “exciting CF investment”, and has since stolen even more headlines.
Everton now gifted chance to sign "excellent" £300,000-p/w PL star on loan
The Toffees could sign a vastly experienced star…
BySean Markus Clifford Jun 8, 2025
By the time that last season reached a conclusion, Barry had found the back of the net 19 times in all competitions. If Everton are to welcome a marquee signing to commence their summer business, he should be at the top of their wishlist.
Chelsea are still on the hunt for another striker, despite already signing Liam Delap in time for the Club World Cup, but this is a transfer which may have to wait until further down the line this summer.
Chelsea tipped for second centre-forward signing after Liam Delap
Enzo Maresca’s forward line could look very different by the beginning of 2025/2026.
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Despite scoring in the Conference League final against Real Betis, helping Chelsea win their first major trophy under Maresca in the process, it has been a tough 2025 for Nicolas Jackson.
The Senegalese has scored just one Premier League goal this calendar year and suffered a real downturn in form beyond the turn of the year, combined with injuries and suspensions.
While Chelsea aren’t pushing Jackson out of the door, it is believed that they will listen to suitable offers, with Manchester United, Aston Villa, Inter Milan, and Atletico Madrid all expressing an interest recently (Simon Phillips).
His departure could also prove key to Chelsea making room for another prolific centre-forward after Delap, which is something Stamford Bridge officials are apparently keen to do.
One name has dominated the headlines when it comes to BlueCo potentially bringing in another new number nine – Eintracht Frankfurt star Hugo Ekitike.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
Chelsea have held talks with Eintracht over a deal for Ekitike, and even mooted the possibility of players going the other way in a part-exchange.
The Frenchman is also said to be very keen on a move to west London (Simon Phillips), but the sticking point throughout this saga has been Ekitike’s lofty £84 million asking price.
The 22-year-old is fresh off the back of an electric campaign, scoring 22 goals and assisting 12 others in all competitions, which has prompted his side to stand firm over a sky-high price in negotiations so far.
However, according to TEAMtalk, Chelsea may not have to go that high after all.
Chelsea believe £65 million Hugo Ekitike could rival Alexander Isak
As per their information, the club’s recruitment team hold a genuine belief that Ekitike will end up rivaling Newcastle United star Alexander Isak, with Chelsea making him a “high-priority” target as a result.
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
It is also believed that £65 million could even be enough for Chelsea to sign Ekitike this summer, and their public £84 million valuation is merely “posturing” in an attempt to look strong during negotiations.
The report adds that Chelsea have been in direct contact with the former PSG striker’s camp, echoing other media sources, but the complexity of this deal means this could be one that remains ongoing for a while yet.
In any case, he is clearly highly-rated within Cobham, not to mention the rest of the footballing world.
“I might say something really crazy, but I’ll say it anyway: I think he’s a mix between Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappé. I sincerely think so,” said former Netherlands star Wesley Sneijder.
“He has the grace of Neymar, but also the movements of Mbappé. To suddenly accelerate, that’s something that Mbappé also has. And he’s only 22 years old. There’s really a lot of potential in this boy.”
The summer transfer window is officially open for business in a bizarre change that sees Chelsea able to make signings between now and the tenth of June.
With the Club World Cup being played between the middle of June and the middle of July, a new transfer window has opened to give teams a chance to bolster their squads for the tournament before the second and main transfer window opens up.
Chelsea manager EnzoMarescaduring training
Chelsea are already putting work in to improve Enzo Maresca’s options heading into the competition in America, with Liam Delap closing in on a move to Stamford Bridge.
Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that the England U21 international started his medical on Monday with the club ahead of a move from Ipswich Town.
The £30m release clause in his contract with the Tractor Boys potentially made this an easier deal than it could have otherwise been, as they did not have to negotiate and haggle with the Championship side.
Whereas, other signings this summer may be harder to get over the line due to the competition for top talent, as was the case when they signed Eden Hazard back in 2012.
How Chelsea won the race for Eden Hazard
In the summer of 2012, there was a race on to sign the Belgium international from Lille after he had delivered 20 goals and 18 assists in 38 matches in Ligue 1 during the 2011/12 campaign.
Due to his incredible form with Lille in France, Hazard was one of the hottest young prospects in European football, which meant that there was plenty of interest in his services, but it was Chelsea who landed his signature.
The Belgian starlet explained his decision, saying: “When they won the Champions League I told myself, ‘Why not Chelsea?’ There was a struggle between Chelsea and [Manchester] United but, for me, Chelsea has the best project. It’s a wonderful club.”
His comments show that the club’s success, beating Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, played a significant role in his decision to make the move to Stamford Bridge, instead of joining Manchester United.
Hazard, of course, then went on to produce 110 goals and 88 assists in 352 appearances in all competitions for the Blues during his time in England, before signing for Real Madrid in 2019.
This proves that he was a player who was well worth putting the effort in to beat other clubs to his signature that summer, because he went on to deliver goals and assists at an exceptional rate in the Premier League over seven years.
2018/19
37
16
15
2017/18
34
12
4
2016/17
36
16
5
2015/16
31
4
3
2014/15
38
14
9
2013/14
35
14
7
2012/13
34
9
11
Chelsea could find a Hazard repeat this summer, now, by winning the race to sign another highly-rated young forward from one of Europe’s major leagues.
Chelsea leading race to sign £84m forward
BILD reporter Christian Falk, speaking to Caught Offside, has revealed that Chelsea are leading the race to sign Eintracht Frankfurt talent Hugo Ekitike in the summer transfer window.
The German journalist claims that the Blues are already in talks with the player’s representatives about a move to Stamford Bridge, and that they could soon seriously pursue a deal for the striker.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Falk told CaughtOffside: “Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal were previously considered the top favourites for Hugo Ekitiké. But the three-man competition has now turned into a two-club battle.
“At the moment, Chelsea, who qualified for the Champions League in fourth place, hold the best cards in the Ekitiké poker. Chelsea are already in dialogue with the player’s side and could soon get serious.”
Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike
This latest update suggests that Chelsea are the frontrunners to sign Ekitike, who is reportedly valued at around £84m, in the coming weeks, despite interest from two other top teams in England.
Why signing Hugo Ekitike could be an Eden Hazard repeat
The Blues could be getting flashbacks of their deal to sign Hazard because it would be another move for a highly-rated young European talent amid competition from some of the best teams around, and it would be off the back of winning another European trophy.
Ekitike’s quality also suggests that the potential is there for him to follow in the Belgian’s footsteps to become a star for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for many years to come if they can get a deal over the line for his services this summer.
The 22-year-old starlet ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of 22 goals and 12 assists in all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt, which is not entirely dissimilar to Hazard’s haul of 20 goals and 18 assists for Lille before his move to England.
Writer Sam McGuire described Ekitike as a “shot monster” and a “genuine goal threat”, and those comments are backed up by the France U21 international’s output in the Bundesliga this season.
Non-penalty goals
0.49
Top 27%
Non-penalty xG
0.68
Top 3%
xG
0.76
Top 5%
Shots
4.0
Top 5%
Shots on target
1.55
Top 8%
Non-penalty xG per shot
0.18
Top 18%
As you can see in the table above, Ekitike ranked incredibly highly among his positional peers in the division for taking shots, finding the target with his shots, and generating high-quality chances.
A non-penalty xG of 0.18 per shot also shows that he takes high-quality shots in front of goal, rather than being wasteful with long-range or low-value efforts.
Hugo Ekitike for Frankfurt.
Ekitike’s haul of 22 goals for Frankfurt also means that he scored at least seven more goals than every player in the Chelsea squad in all competitions, which suggests that he could immediately improve Maresca’s team by offering a huge threat at the top end of the pitch next season.
The next Ashley Cole: Chelsea 'advancing talks' to sign "immense" £46m star
Chelsea are keen to sign a defender or two this summer
ByRoss Kilvington May 31, 2025
Cole Palmer ended the campaign as the top scorer with 15 goals to his name, and the Blues could now repeat their Hazard blinder by signing this French star to be their main man in front of goal for many years to come.
Chelsea have now identified an “exceptional” defender as a priority summer target after holding internal talks, according to a report.
Blues planning to sign two defenders this summer
The Blues still have everything to play for as the Premier League season approaches its conclusion, with the final-day trip to Nottingham Forest set to be crucial in the race for the top five, given that Nuno’s side, Aston Villa and Manchester City are breathing down their necks.
Barring the 2-0 loss at Newcastle United, Enzo Maresca’s side have performed well during the run-in, and the manager has been pleased with the progress Levi Colwill has made, despite admitting he may need to bring in more experienced players this summer.
When questioned about the prospect of adding experience to his squad this summer, much like Jurgen Klopp did by signing Virgil van Dijk and Alisson for Liverpool, Maresca said: “For sure, if you want to close the gap with these kind of clubs then, you have to do things.”
As such, a range of centre-back targets have been identified ahead of the summer, and it is clear the manager is looking to blend youth and experience.
Player
Current club
Potential cost
Mario Gila
Lazio
£25m
Axel Tape
PSG
£0
Ben Nelson
Leicester City
Unknown
Marc Guehi
Crystal Palace
£60m
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Chelsea are also stepping up their pursuit of Ajax’s Jorrel Hato, with the defender now considered a priority target following internal discussions about their summer transfer plans.
There is a feeling that a fee of £37.8m – £42m could be enough to get a deal done, so a move for Hato would not break the bank, and he is now rapidly moving up the Blues’ shortlist.
Ajax Amsterdam's JorrelHatocelebrates after the match
The likes of Liverpool, AC Milan and Arsenal could provide competition for the 19-year-old’s signature, but the west Londoners are looking to move swiftly to ensure they remain in the lead.
Hato could be "exceptional" signing for the Blues
The report states that Chelsea are looking to bring in two centre-backs this summer, and it is little wonder the youngster is now one of their favoured options, given the level of some of his performances for Ajax since breaking into the team at a young age.
Football scout Ben Mattinson has been left particularly impressed by the teenager in the past, stating on X: “Hato is an exceptional athlete for his age whilst being a technical player who can carry through the lines.”
Chelsea looking to sign "composed" defender who Maresca thinks is "perfect"
The Blues have set their sights on a centre-back, with Enzo Maresca believed to be a keen admirer.
1 ByDominic Lund May 18, 2025
Not only that, but the Rotterdam-born defender is an assured passer of the ball, which could make him a good fit for Maresca, ranking in the top 1% for his pass-completion rate per 90 over the past year, when compared to other full-backs.
Indeed, Hato is capable of playing at left-back, having featured there predominantly during the 2024-25 campaign, but he has also featured at centre-back throughout his career, and his versatility would be an added bonus for the Blues.
Arsenal have now submitted an opening offer for an “exceptional” young player, and they’ve had a response, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Gunners set sights on new goalkeeper
After initially usurping Aaron Ramsdale in the starting XI, David Raya has established himself as a key player for the Gunners, making 36 appearances in the Premier League this season, but there are signs that Mikel Arteta has now started looking at bringing in a long-term heir.
Espanyol shot-stopper Joan Garcia is among the main targets, with the north Londoners recently holding talks over a deal for the Spaniard, who would prefer a move to the Emirates Stadium ahead of signing for Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Garcia has been a target for quite some time, having initially agreed to join Arteta’s side last year, and while they seem well-positioned to get a deal for the Spaniard over the line, Romano has now revealed that a move has been made for a different goalkeeper.
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In a recent update on X, the transfer expert stated that Arsenal have now submitted an opening offer of £1.25m for Chelsea goalkeeper Freddy Bernal, but the Blues were not convinced by their rivals’ proposal.
The Gunners’ rivals have knocked back the bid, given their eagerness to keep hold of Bernal, who is clearly impressing for the Blues at youth level, having also attracted the attention of several other unnamed clubs.
Arsenal’s remaining Premier League fixtures
Date
Newcastle United (h)
May 18th
Southampton (a)
May 25th
"Exceptional" Bernal catching the eye at youth level
Given that he is just 16-years-old, the Chelsea ace is likely to be some way off a first Premier League start, but he has caught the eye with his performances for the U18s, having been lauded for his “exceptional distribution” by scout Felix Johnston earlier this season.
The youngster was also the only Chelsea youngster to be named in the England U17 squad earlier in the campaign, highlighting his potential, so it is little wonder the Gunners are keen on taking him to north London.
That said, with the Blues knocking back Arsenal’s offer, it seems unlikely they will be able to prise the teenager away from their London rivals, and Garcia could well be a preferable option, considering the 24-year-old is already proven at a much higher level.
The Espanyol star made 35 appearances in La Liga last season, during which time he caught the eye of football scout Ben Mattinson, who appeared to suggest he could be the perfect heir for Raya, given the similarities in their play-styles.