Real Madrid teenager Endrick is open to leaving the club this summer unless he is assured he will receive more playing time next season.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Endrick barely playing in debut Madrid seasonExpected to feature more despite his youthHas told club he's open to leaving on loanFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Endrick, 18, joined the club from Palmeiras last summer, arriving as one of the hottest prospects in world football. Although he has made 33 appearances in all competitions, the striker's playing time has been limited as he made his first La Liga start as Madrid beat Getafe 1-0 on Wednesday.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Endrick has clocked up 700 minutes of playing time for Carlo Ancelotti's team and there are concerns of him losing hope of breaking into an attack that consists of Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo. According to , he is desperate to avoid a repeat of this season and would consider spending next season on loan away from the Santiago Bernabeu to help his development – something he informed the club of months ago.
WHAT ANCELOTTI SAID
Endrick did not do himself any favours in his 64-minute appearance against Getafe when he missed two goalscoring opportunities, leading to criticism from Ancelotti.
"For the first, I think he couldn’t have done much better. The second might have been offside but he has to learn from that. Young players need to strike the ball properly, not this theatrical stuff. Theatre in football doesn’t exist," the coach said.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ENDRICK?
Endrick will likely return to the bench this weekend as Madrid take on rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final. A week later, they face Celta in La Liga.
Borussia Dortmund are prepping a summer transfer move for Eintracht Frankfurt's Robin Koch, who left Premier League after Leeds United faced the drop.
Article continues below
Article continues below
Article continues below
Dortmund want Koch this summer
Has a low release clause
Talks between BVB and Koch have reportedly taken place
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱
WHAT HAPPENED?
Borussia Dortmund want to bolster their backline this summer and are eyeing a move for Eintracht Frankfurt centre-back Robin Koch, according to a report from (h/t Get German Football News). Koch joined Frankfurt on loan from Leeds United following their relegation at the end of the 2022-23 season, and was then signed permanently upon the expiration of his contract last summer.
Advertisement
AFP
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Dortmund have reportedly initiated discussions with Koch, who is understood to have a release clause in the region of €18-20 million in his current contract. According to , preliminary talks between the two parties have already taken place, with further negotiations expected to follow. However, Sport1 journalist Christopher Michel has downplayed the likelihood of an imminent transfer, stating that a move for Koch is "currently not a topic" within the club.
DID YOU KNOW?
While it remains to be seen who arrives at the Signal Iduna Park ahead of next season, a few names have already been linked with a summer departure, with Dortmund top scorer Serhou Guirassy one of those names circulating in the media. Earlier this week, revealed that Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea, and Arsenal, along with LaLiga heavyweights Real Madrid and Barcelona, will be eligible to trigger a special clause in Guirassy's current contract, which will allow him to leave this summer.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images Sport
WHAT NEXT FOR BORUSSIA DORTMUND?
With Niko Kovac's side currently gunning for a Champions League spot, they will face Hoffenheim on Saturday, April 26, in a crucial Bundesliga fixture. Dortmund are currently in seventh place with 45 points from 30 games.
Em abril deste ano, o São Paulo conseguiu zerar seu departamento médico e manter uma sequência de três partidas sem problemas relacionados à lesões. Porém, atualmente a situação é um pouco diferente. Prestes a enfrentar o América-MG neste domingo (12), em partida válida pela 11ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, a equipe de Rogério Ceni não contará com alguns atletas por estarem machucados.
RelacionadasSão PauloSão Paulo encerra preparação para enfrentar o América-MG; veja provável escalaçãoSão Paulo11/06/2022São PauloSão Paulo x América-MG: prováveis times, desfalques e onde assistirSão Paulo11/06/2022São PauloSub-15 e Sub-17 do São Paulo encerram primeira fase do Campeonato Paulista invictosSão Paulo11/06/2022
Galeria >Quem escalar no Cartola FC? Veja cinco dicas por posição para a 11ª rodada do Brasileirão
Tabela > Veja tabela do Campeonato Brasileiro e simule os próximos jogos
Um dos nomes em situação mais complicada é Gabriel Sara. Peça importante no Campeonato Paulista, a cria de Cotia entrou em campo pela última vez em abril, contra o Jorge Wilstermann, pela Copa Sul-Americana. Porém, devido a uma lesão no tornozelo, precisou passar por uma cirurgiapara corrigir um problema ligamentar.
Após o jogo contra o Coritiba, na última quinta-feira (9), Rogério Ceni projetou que o meia só deve voltar a jogar em 2023.
– Não tem Igor Gomes pro próximo jogo, não tem Talles pro próximo jogo, não tem Sara pro resto da temporada, não tem Nikão, não tem nada. Então, quando tem oportunidade de ganhar, ganha, porque vão ter jogos que vamos ter que sofrer por não termos a fartura que outros têm – afirmou Ceni, em entrevista coletiva.
Como o próprio treinador disse, além de Sara, o Tricolor não terá Nikão, Talles Costa e nem Alisson. E, provavelmente, Gabriel Neves e Moreira podem ficar de fora também.
Nikão sofre com dores no tornozelo direito e não joga desde maio, quando esteve presente na vitória contra o Jorge Wilstermann. Talles enfrenta uma entorse no tornozelo direito. Seu último jogo também foi em maio, contra o Ayacucho.
Gabriel Neves não foi relacionado para o confronto contra o Coritiba após sentir dores na panturrilha. Moreira também não disputou os últimos dois jogos por entorse no tornozelo esquerdo. Entretanto, os dois jogadores realizaram trabalhos com bola na última preparação antes de enfrentar o América-MG.
A entorse também atingiu Alisson, que enfrenta a lesão no joelho. Este problema recorrente complica a situação de Rogério Ceni – principalmente no meio de campo. Sem Alisson e Gabriel Sara, que costumavam atuar do lado esquerdo, o treinador tem somente Patrick, e talvez Luan, para exercer a função.
Por outro lado, Ceni pode contar com o possível retorno de Andrés Colorado. O volante enfrentava uma lesão noreto femoral direito desde maio, mas, durante a última semana, treinou normalmente ao lado de seus companheiros.
A partida entre o São Paulo e o América-MG deste domingo (12) acontecerá às 16h, no estádio do Morumbi, pelo Brasileirão 2022.
After a poor start to the 2024/25 season, Manchester United used the January transfer window to bring in a number of new faces.
The Red Devils purchased Danish defender Patrick Dorgu from Lecce in the hope that he could solve their long-standing issues at left-back. Teenager Ayden Heaven was also brought in from Arsenal to reinforce Ruben Amorim’s perpetually injured defence.
There were some departures too. Antony joined Real Betis on loan, while Marcus Rashford, who had been at the centre of a public spat with Amorim, joined Premier League rivals Aston Villa until the end of the season, though the option is there for the Villans to sign him permanently for £40m in the summer.
Van Gaal flops, Ten Hag disasters: The 10 worst Man Utd players post-Fergie
Man United have had some dreadful players since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
ByRoss Kilvington Jan 24, 2025
How those new signings or loanees will fare for the rest of the season remains to be seen. But even if Dorgu and Heaven light up Old Trafford, and Antony and Rashford enjoy solid loan spells and return as new players, there is no doubt that United will still need to strengthen at the end of the campaign.
A new goalkeeper is a must, while bringing in a new striker, or perhaps even two, is also essential, with Rasmus Hojlund sadly just not possessing what it takes to fire the club back to its former glory.
Here are six players we think United should target in the summer.
1 Victor Osimhen Galatasaray/Napoli
Galatasaray's VictorOsimhenis picture wearing a protective face mask
If Manchester United are to challenge for the Premier League title again, they need a striker capable of scoring 20-plus goals a season – a Ruud van Nistelrooy, a Robin van Persie, a Dimitar Berbatov. Victor Osimhen has the potential to be that player.
During his four seasons at Napoli, the Nigerian forward was a revelation, leading them to their first Serie A title since 1990 with his blistering pace, strength and aerial dominance. In 133 games for the Partenopei, he scored 76 goals, including 31 in 39 appearances during the 2022/23 season as the club lifted the Scudetto.
Now on loan at Turkish side Galatasaray, he has once again proven why he’s one of the deadliest strikers in world football, netting 17 goals in just 22 games. However, he isn’t expected to stay in Istanbul beyond the end of the season, opening the door for United to make their move.
2 Jonathan Tah Bayer Leverkusen
United signed two new centre-backs last summer in Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro, but the jury is still out on both.
And despite their best efforts, Lisandro Martínez and Harry Maguire remain inconsistent, while Jonny Evans – though a cult hero at the club – is approaching the twilight of his career.
A new centre-back is a must, and few are better than Jonathan Tah. Recently described as “maybe the best defender in Germany” by Liverpool manager Arne Slot, the Bayer Leverkusen star is out of contract at the end of the season and has already said he will leave the BayArena in the summer.
United are reported to have already enquired about the 28-year-old.
6 Man Utd players in danger of Amorim axe
Ruben Amorim will be keen to move some players out of Manchester United as he gets to grips with his new team.
ByRoss Kilvington Jan 15, 2025 3 Geovany Quenda Sporting CP
Given the success he had at Sporting CP, United fans will no doubt be hoping that Ruben Amorim can lure some of his former players to Old Trafford in the near future.
While striker Viktor Gyokeres is the name that comes to mind for most, the Swede may be out of reach given United’s on-pitch woes. And if United were to sign Victor Osimhen, they wouldn’t need two world-class strikers – especially since Amorim typically plays with just one up top.
Instead of Gyokeres, Amorim should look to bring in youngster Geovany Quenda, who has established himself as one of the brightest young talents in European football with the help of Portuguese boss.
Since being handed his professional debut by Amorim last year, the 17-year-old has made 35 appearances for the Portuguese side, scoring two goals and providing six assists.
Capable of playing as either a right-winger or right wing-back, not only could he slot seamlessly into Amorim’s system at United, but he could be a long-term replacement for Alejandro Garnacho amid exit links involving the Argentinian.
4 Brice Samba Rennes
Though he occasionally pulls off a great save, Andre Onana is simply too error-prone to be United’s No 1. Since moving to Old Trafford in 2023, the Cameroon international has made four errors leading to goals in the Premier League and conceded 10 penalties.
His distribution – once considered his biggest strength – has also declined at United, with the goalkeeper completing barely 30% of his long balls this season.
Being able to distribute effectively and launch quick counters is key to Ruben Amorim’s style of play, and statistically speaking, Rennes keeper Brice Samba has been the best in Europe in this department in recent times, boasting one of the highest pass completion rates in any of the continent’s top five leagues this season, as per FBref.
The former Nottingham Forest star also holds the best save percentage across those divisions and has a record of making few errors.
5 Jarrad Branthwaite Everton
If United are to fix their leaky defence, they will need not one, but two quality central defenders.
In addition to Jonathan Tah, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite would be a signing that would truly send a statement that the club means business.
Despite playing in a poor, though now improving, Everton side, the Englishman has been one of the Premier League’s most outstanding centre-backs over the past couple of years, and has become a United transfer target of late.
The 22-year-old has already earned the approval of United legend and former caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who worked with him during his time at PSV Eindhoven.
“It was a joy to work with Jarrad. He came as a young lad on loan,” Van Nistelrooy, who is now in charge of Leicester City, recently said of the youngster. “He learned a lot at PSV and we won trophies there together. The way he improved was fantastic, through hard work and training every day.
“He got himself to a great level and to the national team,” he added. “There’s a great future ahead for him.”
Man Utd players out of contract in summer 2025
Is it time for Christian Eriksen to move on this summer?
ByHenry Jackson Jan 14, 2025 6 Angel Gomes Lille
They say you should never reunite with your ex, but what if your ex has suddenly sorted out all their problems and become really, really good-looking?
Shallow, we know, but in football terms, that’s exactly what’s happened with Angel Gomes. Since leaving Old Trafford for Lille in 2020 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he has gone from strength to strength – proving himself to be exactly the type of transitioning and technically gifted central midfielder that United have craved over the past few years.
Now an England international, the Red Devils should do everything in their power to bring him back to Old Trafford in the summer.
Despite losing their final game in the Champions League group stage against PSV 3-2, Liverpool still managed to finish top in the group phase, automatically qualifying them for the round of 16. The Reds won seven of their eight games played, earning 21 points and finishing with 12 goal difference.
One man in particular who took his chance against PSV, was Harvey Elliott, who has struggled for minutes under Arne Slot so far, but managed to score in their final Champions League group game, also managing 70 touches, enjoying 100% dribble success and winning 100% of his ground duels.
After his performance in Holland, Elliott could have shown his manager that attacking reinforcement isn’t needed, with recent links to Lyon attacking midfielder, Rayan Cherki, proving he can provide that creative spark needed, whether it’s from the bench or a starting position.
Liverpool's very own Cherki
Elliott has made 14 appearances for Liverpool this campaign, scoring three goals, providing one assist and totalling 404 minutes played so far.
Market Movers
The 21-year-old did miss the start of the season with a broken foot, but since returning, Slot has been easing him back, with substitute appearances in the Premier League and starts in cup competitions.
The youngster joined from Fulham back in the 2019/20 season, being an extremely highly rated teenager at the time. His value quickly skyrocketed, going from a €4.00m (£3.3m) player to a €22.00m (£18.4m) player in the span of two years, spending time with Blackburn on loan – as per Transfermarkt.
Harvey Elliott celebrates for Liverpool
According to Transfermarkt, Elliott is now worth €35m (£29.2m), having stagnated at this value since September 2022, having a brief dip in December 2023, before returning to the same value.
This £29.2m valuation is higher than the French attacking midfielder being linked to the club, begging the question of whether Liverpool really need him.
Cherki vs Elliot comparison
Cherki has made 24 appearances so far this season, scoring five goals, providing eight assists and totalling 1,501 minutes played. His current value is €30m (£25m), which is less than Elliott’s as previously stated.
Rayan Cherki (24/25) vs Harvey Elliot (23/24) comparison
Stats (per 90 mins)
Cherki
Elliot
Goals
0.30
0.13
Assists
0.48
0.35
Progressive Carries
4.77
3.00
Progressive Passes
10.1
7.85
Progressive Passes Received
8.08
7.55
Shots Total
2.41
2.96
Passes into Final Third
4.77
5.11
Passes into Pen Area
3.97
2.75
Key Passes
4.11
2.19
Shot-Creating Actions
7.68
4.72
Stats taken from FBref
When comparing the two players’ metrics – having used Cherki’s from this season and Elliott’s from last season due to minutes played – you can see Cherki outperforms Elliot in all but two areas, the Englishman having a higher shot volume and completing more passes into the final third, thus showing his willingness to drop deep and link play.
Elliott was labelled “elite” for a performance against Newcastle back in 2022 by Statman Dave on X, with a midfield performance orchestrating play, completing long passes, making ball recoveries and completing dribbles in the final third.
Rayan Cherki
Whilst Cherki has perhaps shown a higher level thus far, Elliott has shown his potential already playing in the Premier League, and given more trust and responsibility, Elliott could go to the next level, taking the creative burden as a playmaker in this Liverpool side, which would see his underlying numbers spike.
Liverpool hold concrete interest in "exceptional" £50m Salah replacement
The Reds now hold concrete interest in a forward who has been in impressive form this season, as a potential heir to the Egyptian.
Everton need a new centre-forward. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is injured once again and has hardly been a pillar of strength this season, and Armando Broja’s loan spell is in danger of being severed after the Albanian sustained an ankle injury.
Beto, at least, has found his shooting boots, blasting two shots into the goal as David Moyes recorded his third straight victory in a 4-0 drubbing over Leicester City.
But Beto alone cannot uphold the focal striking role at Goodison Park. Everton are looking to bring someone in before tonight’s transfer deadline, but will The Friedkin Group manage to get the task done?
Everton's search for a striker
Last week, reports surfaced that Nottingham Forest number nine Taiwo Awoniyi is an option for Everton heading into the final stretch of the January transfer window.
We’re now hours away from the window’s closure and the Toffees have still not signed a striker, but time is indeed ticking and Awoniyi could be the man for the job, especially since he’s playing second fiddle in Nuno Espirito Santo’s system.
The 27-year-old has a wealth of Premier League experience and boasts the athletic qualities that Moyes typically covets at centre-forward. A loan deal would surely be put forth but Forest would ideally look to recoup £18m for their forward.
Why Everton want Taiwo Awoniyi
The 33-year-old Chris Wood decided to turn into prime Alan Shearer this season and thus Awoniyi’s playing time at the City Ground has been limited.
Still. He’s an excellent marksman and would bring the physicality and clinical edge that Moyes’ system requires. Having proven his prolific ability in the Premier League, the Nigerian “monster of an athlete” – as he has been described by journalist David Hundeyin – would be the perfect player to jockey with the likes of Beto.
As per FBref, he even ranks among the top 10% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for tackles (1.22) per 90, emphasising a deep-seated tenacity and drive to aid his team across the different phases of a match.
Moyes, to be sure, will relish such a complete and ranged skill set, with such qualities apt to see him take the mantle as Everton’s star striker, surpassing Calvert-Lewin and Beto.
See below Awoniyi’s Premier League metrics since joining Forest from German side Union Berlin for £17.5m in the summer of 2022, enjoying comparative success in front of goal.
24/25
19 (2)
1
0
23/24
20 (12)
6
3
22/23
27 (17)
10
1
Beto, conversely, has struggled, with his recent two-goal haul against the Foxes raising the previous tally of four from 44 Premier League appearances.
It’s worth noting that Awoniyi has also missed just 16 big chances for the Tricky Trees across his three campaigns, scoring 17 total goals. This is the marker of a high-class goalscorer, converting more than often than squandering his chances.
Transfer Focus
Last season, Beto only managed to bag three Premier League goals despite missing eight big chances. The Guinea-Bissau international has taken the first steps toward enjoying a purple patch but his Everton history suggests he’s not consistent enough to lead the line over the business months, and Awoniyi could neatly solve the problem.
Ndiaye will love him: Everton make late attempt to sign Premier League gem
Everton fans would love for this late signing to happen.
Rain and bad light have robbed NSW of the chance to push for victory in their Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia in Wollongong.NSW declared their second innings at 8 for 193 shortly after lunch on the final day, setting the Redbacks a victory target of 272 off 69 overs.Eight overs were lost due to a rain delay in the middle session, and bad light forced players off shortly after tea with just 30.5 overs bowled in the innings.The Redbacks were 3 for 82 having just lost Daniel Drew for 22 when the players were forced off. Travis Head was unbeaten on 12 at the time, but another burst of rain while the players were off for the bad light meant the match was declared a draw.The result ensured NSW stay on the bottom of the Shield ladder, with SA also winless and just one rung above them.”We played really well,” NSW wicketkeeper Baxter Holt told Kayo after the match. “We were really good in patches. KP [Kurtis Patterson] with a hundred, Daniel Hughes with 91 [in the first innings].”All the batters chipped in. And to see the bowlers take 10 wickets in the first innings is something really special on a wicket like that.”Unfortunately the weather and bad light took us off the field.”We did everything we possibly could to get us in a position [to win], and unfortunately the weather held us back.”The Blues started day four at 3 for 35 – a lead of 113 – and they were looking relatively comfortable at 4 for 103 before suffering a double blow.Brendan Doggett removed Sean Abbott for a quickfire 18, before Wes Agar snared the crucial scalp of Jason Sangha as NSW staggered to 6 for 107.But Holt and Ben Dwarshuis steadied the ship with a 69-run stand, giving the Blues a handy lead before they declared with 69 overs remaining in the match.SA needed to score at 3.9 runs an over to pull off victory, but they lacked intent from the outset and it soon became a case of mere survival.Jake Weatherald was the first to fall when he was bowled by spinner Nathan Lyon, and the Redbacks were 2 for 50 when Henry Hunt was trapped lbw by Chris Tremain.Drew was the final batter to be dismissed, with the players called off due to bad light immediately after his departure.
Newcastle United ended the January transfer window, which actually closed at the start of February, without making any additions to their first-team squad.
The Magpies opted against any swoops to bolster Eddie Howe’s group and sanctioned exits for Miguel Almiron, who joined Atlanta United on a permanent deal, and Lloyd Kelly, who joined Juventus on loan.
Chronicle Live reported that the club did not go all-out to bring in new recruits in order to leave themselves in a healthy position with PSR rules ahead of the summer transfer window.
Newcastle, who beat Birmingham 3-2 in the fourth round of the FA Cup at the weekend, were not in desperate need of reinforcements, though, as they have enjoyed a strong season so far.
The Magpies are in the final of the League Cup, where they will face Liverpool at Wembley, and are currently sixth in the Premier League table.
One of the players whose form has played a huge role in their success on the pitch so far this season is Swedish centre-forward Alexander Isak, who has been on fire at the top end of the pitch.
Alexander Isak's form for Newcastle
Eyebrows were raised when PIF smashed the club’s transfer record to sign the former Borussia Dortmund marksman from Real Sociedad for a fee of £63m in the summer of 2022.
Isak had only scored six goals in 32 LaLiga outings in the 2021/22 campaign, which is why the fee seemed steep at the time, but Newcastle clearly saw something in him and their decision to splash the cash on him has paid off big time.
The 25-year-old number 14 has scored 54 goals and provided nine assists in 95 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies to date, which shows that he has provided a consistent threat in the final third throughout his time on Tyneside.
The Sweden international, who scored 21 goals in the Premier League in the 2023/24 campaign, has been in fantastic form once again for Howe in the current season.
However, Isak did endure a difficult start this time around. The former Dortmund youngster only found the back of the net once in his first six appearances in the top-flight, before finally hitting his stride in front of goal.
24/25 Premier League
Alexander Isak
Appearances
22
xG
14.14
Goals
17
Big chances created
10
Assists
5
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the Newcastle striker has been incredibly ruthless in front of goal on the whole in the Premier League this season, with a return of 17 goals from 14.14 xG.
Isak is a clinical finisher who rarely wastes a high-quality chance to find the back of the net, whilst he can also create quality openings for his teammates, and that is why he has been so important to the team this season.
The Swedish star is one of the best forwards in the Premier League, as only two other players have outscored him, but Newcastle did once miss out on the chance to sign a player who is, now, also among the top players in the division.
Newcastle missed out on current Premier League superstar
Back in 2011, current Liverpool sensation Mohamed Salah, who was playing for Arab Contractors in Egypt, revealed that the Magpies were interested in a deal to sign him.
One that got away
Mike Ashley was the Newcastle owner at the time and was supposedly set to make an offer for the winger, as per the then-teenager’s comments on Ahram Online, via talkSPORT, in 2011.
Mohamed Salah in action for Liverpool
Salah said: “Newcastle will soon make an official offer to sign me for one season. I don’t think Contractors will refuse to let me play in the English Premier League.
“It’s a dream for any player to play in one of the strongest league competitions in the world. I want to play abroad, I think this would be my next step.”
TalkSPORT added that Salah went on to sign for Basel for £2m in 2012, whilst Ashley signed Gabriel Obertan instead to bolster Newcastle’s wide options, and the Egyptian forward has gone on to enjoy a stellar career.
Mohamed Salah's goal return this season
The 32-year-old star had spells with Basel, Chelsea, and Roma before eventually landing at Anfield with Jurgen Klopp at the helm in the summer of 2017.
Liverpool's MohamedSalahreacts during the match
In his almost eight years with the Reds to date, Salah racked up an incredible return of 237 goals and 106 assists in 383 appearances in all competitions.
The left-footed sensation scored 20 goals and provided 14 assists in 79 games for Basel, before his move to Chelsea, and Newcastle ultimately missed out on the chance to secure his services for a fee of just £2m.
Ashley’s failure to bring Salah to St. James’ Park, after seemingly trying to land his signature, should be looked back on with great regret, given what the impressive attacker has gone on to achieve, particularly in England with Liverpool.
Newcastle have one of the best forwards in the Premier League right now, in Alexander Isak, but the Egypt international is even better than Howe’s star man.
24/25 Premier League
Mohamed Salah
Alexander Isak
Appearances
23
22
xG
18.23
14.14
Goals
21
17
Big chances created
17
10
Assists
13
5
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, the 32-year-old superstar has outperformed the Swedish whiz at the top end of the pitch in the top-flight, with more goals, more ‘big chances’ created, and more assists.
Liverpool's MohamedSalahreacts
In fact, no player in the league has scored more goals or provided more assists than Salah, who was described as “extraordinary” by Arne Slot, in the 2024/25 campaign, which suggests that there is an argument to be made that he is the best attacking player in the division.
Therefore, Ashley once failed to get a deal over the line for a player who has gone on to become the best player in the Premier League, when he was available for a fee of around £2m.
Newcastle planning £33m offer for "dangerous" star who destroyed Liverpool
He would complete Eddie Howe’s attack.
ByTom Cunningham Feb 12, 2025
That is not to say that Salah would have fulfilled his potential at Newcastle or that he would still be at St. James’ Park in the current day, but it does show that the Magpies missed out on the chance to land a generational talent.
The January transfer window came and went without Arsenal adding any players to bolster their options at the top end of the pitch ahead of the second half of the season.
Mikel Arteta confirmed that the club were “actively looking” at potential recruits in the winter market, but the deadline passed at the start of February and the Gunners did not have any new players to compete in the forward department.
Arsenal manager MikelArtetacelebrates after the match
At the time of the January window, Arsenal already knew that they would be without Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka for months with knee and hamstring injuries respectively.
Gabriel Jesus
ACL
August 31st 2025
21
Bukayo Saka
Hamstring
April 1st 2025
18
Kai Havertz
Hamstring
June 30th 2025
14
Gabriel Martinelli
Hamstring
Unknown
1
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Knee
Unknown
29
As you can see in the table above, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli have since suffered hamstring injuries that have left them unavailable for action, with the former out for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign.
This means that Arsenal are without four of their frontline attacking options for a large chunk of the second half of the season whilst they compete to win the Premier League and the Champions League.
Why losing Kai Havertz is a big blow
Havertz has been a Marmite figure throughout his Premier League career, with Chelsea and Arsenal, as he can be frustrating in some moments and brilliant in others.
The Germany international scored the winner in a Champions League final for the Blues, netting against Manchester City, but he also only managed a return of 32 goals in 139 appearances in all competitions in total.
Havertz has been similarly inconsistent in front of goal with the Gunners, as he has scored nine goals but missed a whopping 15 ‘big chances’ in the Premier League this season.
The left-footed attacker does, however, offer a constant threat at the top end of the pitch with his physical presence and his movement in-and-around the box.
Non-penalty goals
0.5
Top 26%
Assists
0.23
Top 16%
Shot-creating actions
2.94
Top 17%
Pass accuracy
78%
Top 10%
Progressive passes
2.56
Top 14%
As you can see in the table above, Havertz ranks incredibly highly among his positional peers in the top leagues across Europe in a host of key attacking statistics.
Whilst it is understandable for supporters to be frustrated with his wasteful finishing, as illustrated by his 15 ‘big chances’ missed this season in the league, the German dynamo’s injury is a big blow because Arteta could rely upon him to chip in with goals and assists fairly regularly.
Without Havertz or Jesus available, Arteta needs players in other positions to step up and provide the goals. He needs to unearth his own version of Aaron Ramsey, who was adept at scoring from midfield for the Gunners.
Aaron Ramsey's goalscoring quality for Arsenal
The Wales international, who moved on from The Emirates to sign for Juventus in the summer of 2019, was once a reliable goalscoring midfielder for the London giants.
Ramsey scored 64 goals and provided 60 assists in 369 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners during his time at the club, but he was particularly prolific between the 2013/14 and 2014/15 campaigns.
The Welsh star scored 26 goals and racked up 17 assists in those two seasons combined, which shows that he offered a regular threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals from a midfield position for Arsene Wenger in those two years.
As you can see in the clips above, Ramsey scored a great variety of goals in the Premier League for the Gunners, thanks to his technical ability and the timing in his movements.
The former Arsenal star was able to get himself into great positions to score by timing his runs into the box to be in the right place at the right time, and had the quality in front of goal to make the most of those situations when he got there.
Arsenal may have Aaron Ramsey 2.0
Arteta could hit the jackpot for the Gunners by unearthing the club’s new version of Ramsey in Spanish central midfielder Mikel Merino, who showcased his knack for goalscoring off the bench against Leicester.
Chalkboard
The former Newcastle United star, who joined from Real Sociedad last summer, came on as a substitute for the striker-less Arsenal side against the Foxes and won the match with the only two goals of the game.
As you can see in the highlights above, Merino positioned himself like an experienced striker to head in Ethan Nwaneri’s cross and to convert from close range from Leandro Trossard’s ball in.
The £130k-per-week star, who Jurrien Timber claimed has “exceptional” qualities, has never been a prolific scorer in his career, with no more than five league goals in any season for any of his previous clubs.
However, Merino did score five goals from an xG tally of 3.30 in LaLiga for Real Sociedad and he has found the back of the net four times from 2.90 xG for Arsenal in the Premier League this term.
Shots
2.05
Top 11%
Non-penalty xG
0.33
Top 2%
Non-penalty goals
0.46
Top 3%
Non-penalty xG + xAG
0.43
Top 8%
Shot on target percentage
44.4%
Top 6%
Non-penalty xG per shot
0.16
Top 4%
As you can see in the table above, the Spain international ranks incredibly highly among midfielders in the Premier League in a host of key goalscoring metrics.
He has only played 800 minutes, with eight starts in 17 matches, in the division, though, and this means that there is only a small sample size at the moment, but it does show that the potential is there for him to offer a huge threat as a goalscorer from midfield.
There is enough there and in his performance against Leicester, though, to suggest that Arteta could hit the jackpot with Merino by unleashing him as a regular starter in midfield and giving him the freedom to push forward into the box to pick up goalscoring positions.
Arsenal now submit £50m offer for "outstanding" Spurs target, claims report
The Gunners have now made a bid for a defender Tottenham tried to sign in January.
ByDominic Lund Feb 17, 2025
The Spaniard has the attributes to develop into a Ramsey-esque figure for the Arsenal manager and he could be the man to step up and fill the void left by Havertz and Jesus in the second half of the season.