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Arsenal are preparing to make a €70m (£62m) bid for Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah, an offer that the Spanish club would find it difficult to resist, according to recent reports from Spain.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

The Gunners are interested in bringing in several new midfielders this summer, with journalist Manu Sainz recently claiming they will "most likely" win the race for Celta Vigo's Gabri Veiga, if they decide to bid for the youngster.

According to the Daily Mail, Mikel Arteta is understood to possibly want two central midfielders, and the north London club's hierarchy will sanction a costly summer recruitment drive to target West Ham United captain Declan Rice.

Earlier this week, it was reported Arsenal have been "following" Musah since January, with the 20-year-old being tipped to leave Valencia this summer, and they now appear to have taken their interest one step further.

According to reports from Spain (via TEAMtalk), the Gunners are preparing a bid worth €70m (£62m) to sign the Valencia star this summer, and with the Spanish club struggling financially, they will find the offer hard to turn down.

Rice remains Arsenal's number one target, but they are the club with the strongest interest in Musah at present, although Liverpool and Inter Milan have also been named as potential suitors.

Is Yunus Musah worth £62m?

The starlet is having a solid season, with football scout Jacek Kulig particularly impressed with his performances for the USA at the World Cup, describing his displays out in Qatar as "superb", while he waxed lyrical about his vast potential.

Kulig lauded the maestro for his "elite engine", claiming he has a "huge future" ahead, and it is hard to disagree, given how impressive he has been for Valencia since breaking into the first team.

One of the American's most notable attributes is his ability to carry the ball, ranking in the 95th percentile for progressive carries per 90 in the past year, and in the 88th for successful take-ons.

That said, the New York-born midfielder will need to improve certain aspects of his game before he is good enough to regularly start for Arsenal, given that he only very rarely weighs in with goals and assists.

As such, it may be wise for Arsenal to go all out to sign Rice, rather than taking a risk by signing Musah, who is not guaranteed to be a success at Premier League level.

Arsenal's recent form has seen the Premier League title slip somewhat out of their grasp, as they relinquished the driving seat to the omnipresent and unstoppable Manchester City.

Having led the division for most of the season, three draws on the run have relinquished six points, as their biggest names have wilted under the pressure of this loss of form.

Whilst there were a few standout poor performers, Thomas Partey marked the biggest downturn in form as the Ghanaian went from one of their key assets to anonymous overnight.

Often an impenetrable force in the engine room, offering a metronomic presence to keep the Gunners constantly in control, the 29-year-old hid when Mikel Arteta needed him most.

This downturn in form is somewhat blurred by the 7.3 rated performances either side of a 6.1 showing at West Ham United.

In reality, all three were akin to that latter display, as against Liverpool the midfielder's 81% pass accuracy left them scrambling for possession, and against Southampton he was dribbled past four times; not to mention that wild shot he took on from all of 30 yards with just seconds left of added time at 3-3.

Therefore, it draws intrigue as to whether Arsenal had signed Moises Caicedo in January, as they tried so hard to do, would Partey have taken his foot off the gas so aggressively? Had the Ecuadorian sealed his dream move to the Emirates, the Premier League could still be theirs to lose.

How has Moises Caicedo played this season?

It is a testament to the £15k-per-week maestro given how he conducted himself during the transfer saga that would not come to fruition. Politely asking for his move, in being denied it the 21-year-old has kept his head down and continued thriving for Brighton and Hove Albion.

This has led to an average Sofascore rating of 7.18, which is actually narrowly better than Arsenal's defensive midfield enforcer. This figure is upheld by a consistent stream of fine showings, where he has recorded 3.2 tackles, 1.2 key passes and an 89% pass accuracy per game this season.

Such domineering midfield displays led journalist Jonas Adnan Giæver to brand him an "absolute monster", with pundit Steve Nicol agreeing: "Well, Caicedo. He’s perfect."

Had he been a part of Arteta's squad, as a fine option to compete with or even displace either of his midfielders, perhaps they would not have experienced such a disappointing collapse against teams they really should have beaten.

It was not for the want of trying, as Arsenal saw a reported two bids rejected before focusing their attention towards Jorginho, but perhaps had they pushed just a little bit harder for the £90m man, the priceless Premier League title could have still been set to return to the Emirates.

Leeds United are thought to be plotting a move for former midfielder Kalvin Phillips, less than a year on after selling him to Manchester City, The Daily Star report.

The Lowdown: Struggles at City

Phillips made the move to the Etihad last summer but has endured an extremely frustrating first season under Pep Guardiola. The 27-year-old, who shares the same agency as Patrick Bamford, is yet to start a Premier League game and has featured in just 344 minutes of action.

He has missed parts of the season through injury, however, he did start for England on Thursday in a 2-1 win over Italy. Phillips’ current contract runs until 2028, but it looks as if an exit could already be on the cards as he searches for regular first-team football.

The Latest: Transfer update

The Daily Star shared an update regarding Phillips and Leeds in the last 48 hours. They claimed that the Whites are interested in their former midfielder and will be in the race for his services this summer.

They added that Leeds even had a January approach rejected for the midfielder, with Phillips possibly feeling he has no choice but to move elsewhere at the end of the season, should he remain a bit-part player under Guardiola.

The Verdict: A gamble?

You’d expect that any return to Elland Road for Phillips could involve big money, especially after City paid £45m for his services and handed him a long-term deal on £150,000-per-week – a salary higher than any current Leeds player.

Therefore, a return to Leeds may be viewed as a risk with the player’s lack of game time and injury issues, however, the club are not looking to make Weston McKennie’s loan move permanent in the summer as it stands, so they could be willing to gamble when it comes to Phillips.

If McKennie returns to Juventus, Javi Gracia could be left with just Tyler Adams and Marc Roca as central midfield options, possibly opening up a space for Phillips to return.

Leeds know all about the player’s qualities after he made 234 appearances for the club, with former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson saying this about Phillips last year prior to his move to Manchester:

“He was England’s best player last year. His quality is unprecedented. I think he is better than Declan Rice. He offers more going forward than Rice. His energy, his engine and his creativity are there for all to see.”

It looks as if it could be one to keep an eye on, however, Leeds will need to remain in the Premier League over the coming months to stand any chance of securing a transfer.

Glasgow Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos is expected to ‘part ways’ with the Scottish Premiership giants this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge.

The Lowdown: Beale’s criticism

The Light Blues forward’s deal at Ibrox is set to expire at the end of the season and he’s facing an uncertain future having not yet put pen to paper on an extension.

Michael Beale criticised the 26-year-old in a recent interview and admitted that he’s held a one-on-one meeting with him to discuss what he requires, which led the player to turn to social media to post the message “Do not give up. Sometimes the last key is the one that opens the door.”

Back in December, sporting director Ross Wilson revealed that the club had rejected an offer for the South American with chairman Douglas Park resigned to losing him after contract talks halted.

The Latest: Bridge’s verdict

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Bridge was asked for an update on Morelos’s future at Rangers given the recent conflict, to which he replied:

“I think with him, he’s been there a long, long time, and Rangers have, over those years, resisted big bids for him.

“But obviously, when your manager is critical of the player, the player is now doing cryptic messages on his social media, perhaps it is time for a break, ideally an amicable one.

“I certainly can’t see him signing a new contract, which would mean the end of his Rangers career. But obviously, Morelos posting cryptic comments so soon after Beale’s public criticism just strikes me as if they’re both going to part ways.”

The Verdict: Keep hold of him

Morelos has been dubbed a ‘Colombian Machine’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig and despite the ongoing problems behind the scenes, we feel Rangers should still keep hold of him beyond the summer.

The Teddy Bears star has posted a remarkable 179 goal contributions (122 goals and 57 assists) in 261 appearances since moving north of the border, showing how prolific he can be in the final third.

The Cerete native predominantly operates in his natural centre-forward role but can also act out wide on both the left and right wings, being a two-footed player, which is a useful attribute to have should the boss ever need to switch things up.

Morelos will need to change his attitude both on and off the pitch should he want to be given a chance moving forward but he is more than capable of turning it around at Rangers.

Wolves take on Spurs on Saturday afternoon and Julen Lopetegui must consider unleashing Adama Traore, given his history against the north London side.

Why should Lopetegui unleash Traore?

Spurs arrive at Molineux low on confidence, having lost out 1-0 to Sheffield United in midweek, to seemingly bring an end to their trophy chances once again this season.

Antonio Conte’s side have looked susceptible defensively throughout the campaign, with the Italian manager selecting the ageing Ben Davies and Clement Lenglet on the left-hand side of his defence on a number of occasions recently.

Ivan Perisic has also struggled to have the impact many expected him to have as a left-wing-back, and he could also struggle defensively against the pace of someone like Traore.

The Spanish winger has struggled to replicate his performances from the 2019/20 Premier League campaign when he averaged a phenomenal 7.49 rating from WhoScored for his displays in the top flight.

He boasts just one goal and one assist so far this term, with a far-less-impressive 6.52 rating to his name, but there is no doubting the power and pace he could offer the Old Gold on the counter attack.

After a loan spell with Barcelona last season, Xavi was full of praise for the powerful wide man.

The Spaniard said: “Adama has matured a lot. And physically, he is a beast, a monster… In 1v1 situations, you cannot beat him. Adama is the perfect winger for me. I am convinced that he will be great for us.”

The 27-year-old, who earns £55k per week, certainly has a history of strong performances against Spurs, as a lot of Wolves fans will remember his sensational display in a 2-1 loss at Molineux in 2019, when the wizard constantly tormented Jan Vertonghen.

BBC Sport awarded him the man of the match award in their report, as he registered three shots on target and more crosses and successful duels than anyone else on the pitch – scoring Wolves’ only goal in the game as the forward punished their weak defending.

While Vertonghen is long gone, starting the speedy winger on Saturday could have a similar impact if he is left isolated against one of Lenglet, Perisic or Davies on the counterattack, which could prove decisive as Lopetegui’s side look to earn an important three points.

Therefore, the Spanish manager should hand Traore – who has created 0.8 chances per game this season – a rare start this weekend in the hope that the gem can rediscover the form he showed in the same fixture back in 2019.

Newcastle United may well be looking on enviously at a reported former transfer target who is now flourishing elsewhere, with Borussia Dortmund gem Karim Adeyemi having seemingly been on the Magpies’ radar back in November 2021.

Were Newcastle close to signing Adeyemi?

Ahead of what was to be the first transfer window following the change in ownership at St James’ Park, reports in Germany suggested that the Tynesiders had enquired about the prospect of bringing the then-Red Bull Salzburg starlet to England.

However, the suggestion at the time was that joining the Magpies was ‘out of the question’, with the Premier League club having been battling relegation at the time, and the Munich native ultimately sealed a £33m move to the Westfalenstadion ahead of last summer’s transfer window.

Having missed out on the 5 foot 11 speedster, Eddie Howe and co ultimately secured the signing of another attacking target in the form of Chris Wood in January 2022 for £25m, albeit with the New Zealand international moving on last month after just a year at the club, scoring only five goals.

How is Adeyemi getting on at Dortmund?

After previously bagging 33 goals and laying on 24 assists in 94 games for his former club – along with providing 27 goal involvements in 35 games on loan at FC Liefering – Adeyemi has now begun to fire for Edin Terzic’s Dortmund, with six goals and three assists in 24 games so far this term.

The fleet-footed youngster has notably been “flying” in recent weeks – in the words of team-mate Jude Bellingham – after an initial “tough time” following the move to Dortmund, and he has scored three goals and provided one assist in his last three Bundesliga appearances.

The versatile dynamo – who can feature on the flanks or in a more central role – most notably caught the eye last week as a result of his match-winning performance against Chelsea in the Champions League, producing a sensational solo run and finish for the only goal in that first-leg clash.

That moment of genius laid bare why the four-cap German is a player whose “quality and speed are brutal” and has “almost everything a striker needs”, according to his former Red Bull Salzburg coach Matthias Jaissle.

A player who is simply “ice-cold” in front of goal, as per his national team boss Hansi Flick, Adeyemi appears destined to have a big future in the game, having produced a silky and instinctive finish on the turn in Dortmund’s most recent league triumph over Hertha Berlin.

As such, those back on Tyneside likely regretting their failure to pluck the striker from Austria just over a year ago, with dynamic gem now said to be valued at around €50m (£44m) by the CIES Football Observatory.

It would be no real surprise if the 21-year-old does emerge as a future target for Howe and co again in the years to come.

Leicester City have picked out Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson as a major summer transfer target, according to a recent report.

The Lowdown: Leicester’s goalkeeper options

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel completed a move to Ligue 1 side Nice in the last summer transfer window after 11 years with the club, leaving Brendan Rodgers with Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen to choose from between the sticks.

Ward has been the first choice for the Foxes, making 21 appearances in the Premier League, but Rodgers is now looking for a younger replacement for Schmeichel, with Patterson seemingly fitting the bill.

The Latest: Patterson targeted

According to a report from The Sun, Leicester have made the Sunderland shot-stopper a major target, although they will face competition for his signature, with Wolverhampton Wanderers said to be interested.

It is also claimed that the Black Cats could look to cash-in on their keeper for a fee of around £10m if they fail to get promoted from the Championship this season.

The Verdict: Get it done

In the top flight this term, Ward has shipped 37 goals, the second-highest total of any goalkeeper in the league, and while the Leicester backline is also culpable for the poor defensive record, there are indications that the Welshman is not up to the required standard.

Journalist Rob Tanner has suggested that the defence do not trust their goalkeeper, with this comment following the claim that he has had a ‘tough start’ replacing Schmeichel, and so the Foxes should look to bring in a younger option in the summer.

Hailed as ‘phenomenal’ by Nicky Crosby, Patterson has been in exceptional form for the Black Cats this season, recently making three saves from inside the box and receiving the highest match rating of any player in a 2-0 win against Middlesbrough.

The Sunderland youth product is averaging less goals against and a better save percentage per 90 than Ward over the past year, and given that he is just 22, he has plenty of time to develop into a top goalkeeper, capable of making the starting spot his for years to come.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Julen Lopetegui has hinted that Goncalo Guedes could ‘maybe’ leave the Premier League club this month.

The Lowdown: Uncertain future

The Old Gold completed the permanent signing of the forward last summer where he put pen to paper on a five-year deal, but since the new manager’s arrival, he hasn’t been making the impact he would have hoped.

The Portugal international has been completely omitted from the matchday squad for the last two games, which has seen him linked with an exit, and the boss has now implied that that could indeed be the case.

The Latest: Lopetegui’s comments

Speaking to The Star following Tuesday’s 1-0 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool, Lopetegui was initially asked whether Guedes will leave Wolves this month, to which he replied:

“No, no more (to add). He’s our player and we’ll see what is going to happen, but he is our player.”

However, when questioned whether the recent arrival of Pablo Sarabia could send the 26-year-old on his way, the Spaniard said:

“Maybe, I don’t know, they are going to fight! We need competition in our daily work, it’s good for the team.

“After, the players that will play are the players that are going to help us more in each match.”

The Verdict: Let him go

Guedes has been described as a ‘lightning-quick’ player by Andy Brassell, but Wolves allowing him to leave would be completely the right decision.

The Wanderers winger has scored just two goals in 18 appearances since joining and clearly isn’t a part of Lopetegui’s long-term plans having played him once in the top flight during his reign so far.

The Midlands outfit should therefore take this opportunity to cash in and put Guedes’ transfer fee towards future funds for new signings in what is the start of a new era at Molineux.

Tottenham Hotspur are chasing AS Monaco defender Axel Disasi, but they will face competition for his signature, according to a new report.

The Lowdown: Tottenham’s Disasi interest

Tottenham were said to be interested in signing Disasi back in the summer, as reported by Marca, with the Spanish publication detailing that the club had retained an interest for over two years.

Clement Lenglet was instead brought in to bolster the centre-back area, but Spurs have struggled defensively so far this season, conceding in their 10 games prior to the 4-0 victory against Crystal Palace last time out, and Antonio Conte could now reignite his interest in the Frenchman.

The Latest: Spurs still chasing

According to a new report from the Daily Mail, Spurs are chasing Disasi, with West Ham United and Manchester United also named as interested parties.

However, it appears as though the Red Devils are at the most advanced stage, as negotiations between them and Monaco have now taken place, so Conte may have to move swiftly if he wants to win the race for his long-term target.

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The Verdict: Get it done?

The 6 foot 2 powerhouse is clearly thought of in very high regard by scout Jacek Kulig, as he has previously lauded him as being ‘dominant’, while also claiming that he is a similar type of player to Virgil van Dijk.

Given Tottenham’s defensive issues this season, it is evident that they need new reinforcements at the back, with club expert John Wenham recently lambasting Lenglet, calling him a ‘cheap option’, and Disasi would be a clear upgrade on his compatriot.

An average of 2.74 interceptions per 90 over the past year is indicative of the defensive acumen possessed by the former Reims man, with Lenglet only recording a figure of 1.3 per 90 in the same timeframe, while also averaging fewer blocks, clearances and aerials won.

Even though his side kept a clean sheet in their most recent match, Conte must bring in defensive reinforcements this month, and signing the Monaco star would be a very astute piece of business.

Since Erik Ten Hag arrived at the helm of the Manchester United ship in the summer, there have already been sweeping changes as the side look to return to former glory at the dawn of this exciting new era.

Casemiro and Christian Eriksen have entered the fray to replace the recently departed Paul Pogba, with the bemoaned central partnership of Fred and Scott McTominay now receiving scant starting minutes as a pair.

In order to continue the club’s resurgence, further additions of genuine quality must be deployed into the midfield ranks, and recent reports from Spain indicate that Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is one maestro that could soon find himself in Manchester red, although he is unlikely to depart the Reale Arena for anything less than his €65m (£56m) release clause.

The 23-year-old has blossomed into a slick cog in his Spanish outfit, and might be seen as a shrewd investment into the Theatre of Dreams for the next chapter of the illustrious history.

Replace Fred

Having made 115 appearances for the Royal since emerging from the youth ranks, the “special” Zubimendi – as lauded by Sid Lowe – has snatched four goals and assists apiece from his industrious role within the Spanish outfit.

And this season he has been an integral force for the Champions League-chasing outfit, scoring a goal and registering two assists from 18 displays.

As per Sofascore, the £51k-per-week phenom has achieved an average rating of 6.94 in the Spanish La Liga this term, a pivotal player in the side’s endeavours as they perch in third place after 15 matches.

His assured passing accuracy of 85% has instilled composure throughout the ranks, while his defensive pedigree is unquestionable with his 1.6 tackles and 1.7 clearances per outing; with a 60% success rate when duelling his opponent, he is a player that would certainly bolster the United ranks.

He must enter the fold, casting the likes of Brazilian marauder Fred out of the system, who has failed to live up to the sizeable £52m price tag after joining from Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk.

This season, Fred’s Sofascore rating in the English top-flight sits at 6.81, with the 29-year-old’s 81% passing accuracy, 0.8 tackles and 0.2 clearances all bettered by his Spanish counterpart.

Journalist Josh Bunting once heralded Zubimendi for being the “key element” to his side’s success, and he must channel that energy towards the Red Devils’ fortunes if a prospective bid from John Murtough does indeed materialise.

With the 29-year-old Fred six years Zubimendi’s senior, it appears to be a prudent move to delve into the market and bring the talented star to Ten Hag’s expanding pool of talent, and the changing of the guard must continue here, with Fred having played his part at Old Trafford.