Arsenal have made the first step towards building a new era of success at the Emirates with the long-overdue removal of Arsene Wenger, but more action is required.
A new man in the hotseat – and Mikel Arteta is the current favourite – is a good start but surgery to the playing staff, who have become complacent and too used to the ideas of one man, is also required in order to transform the club’s fortunes and change the opinions of a restless fanbase who have become too accustomed to the same old failings.
With it being World Cup year and the transfer window closing earlier than ever before – not to mention many elite clubs looking to close the gap on Manchester City – it looks tougher than ever to get the business done to strengthen.
There are no shortage of names being banded around and we’ve compiled a list of 24 targets – including Leon Bailey, valued at £40.5m by Transfermarkt, Arsenal may hope to get over the line in a busy summer and asked you to choose the ones you would most like to see.
Let us know by up and down voting below who you would like to see at the Emirates by the start of next season…
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Nobody can fault the efforts of Dale Stephens and Davy Propper this season. The midfield duo have featured in every minute of Brighton’s Premier League campaign, contributing three top flight assists amid all of their tireless work in the middle of the park.
That dependence though, suggests Chris Hughton would be open to signing another midfielder before the end of the January transfer window, should an opportunity allow.
Judging by Beram Kayal’s performance against Crystal Palace last night, however, Hughton already has at least one solid alternative to fall back on in the form of the 5 foot 10 midfielder.
The 29-year-old is only just coming back into the side after being sidelined through injury at the start of the campaign but appeared to be up to full speed last night, providing a Man of the Match display in the FA Cup Third Round clash.
Indeed, the 30-cap Israeli international made the most tackles and completed the most dribbles of any player on the pitch, produced the second-most created chances of any Brighton player and completed a whopping 94% of his passes in an impressive all-round midfield display from the former Celtic man, which was central to the Seagulls progressing to the Fourth Round by beating their fierce rivals 2-1.
Having been at the Amex since 2015, Brighton fans and Hughton will already be aware of what Kayal can offer the team – he made 43 appearances as they achieved promotion last season. But returning to form after an injury layoff just as the January window opens, Kayal’s performance last night was a timely indicator that Hughton doesn’t need to spend big on another midfield option and can focus his funds on other departments this month.
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Manchester United are struggling in the Premier League right now. They are currently in 9th position and a massive 13 points behind league leaders Arsenal. Thomas Rooney of footballtips.com explains how David Moyes only has himself to blame.
The transition period following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement was always going to be just that – transitional. Well, apparently Moyes didn’t get that memo.
One of the first things the Scotsman did at Old Trafford was lose the services of Ferguson’s back-room team. Every single one of them. Not the actions of a man targeting a smooth transition.
Moyes is entitled to want his own team around him – that’s fine. However, he is obviously keen to use Ferguson’s previous success to his advantage, so why start a complete fresh?
Phil Neville was a solid player for Manchester United, but he has never been a coach before. Now suddenly he had a senior role at the Premier League Champions?
For Ferguson, his No.2 was always extremely important and something which helped him through all the years he succeeded at Old Trafford.
What worked for Moyes at Everton wasn’t necessarily going to work for Moyes at Manchester United. He should have known that. He should have retained some of Ferguson’s legacy.
So that was mistake No.1. Mistake No.2 came in the transfer market.
Manchester United’s lack of activity was baffling. Moyes was far too reluctant to spend big. The signing of Marouane Fellaini was then a panic-buy he could have gone for at any stage.
You hear Moyes say now that Mesut Ozil was an option for United, but not one they decided to take. Given the impact the German has made at Arsenal, this must be hard for Man Utd fans to hear.
This Manchester United squad is not as strong as their points tally last season suggests. It was the Ferguson factor that made them title winners.
Moyes then came in, refused to retain any Premier League title winning coaches and failed to add significant quality to a squad that clearly needed improving.
Fair enough, he has sorted out the Rooney situation – but where has this got them? Moyes needed to add to the Champions, not try and patch up the Champions.
So that was mistake No.2. Mistake No.3 has been his team selection.
No manager has made more changes than Moyes this season. He has absolutely no idea what his best team is and from the defence to the attack, the personnel has changed each week.
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Injuries have of course played their part, but there is so much confusion in the squad. What is Phil Jones’ best role? Is Nani a big part of the set-up? Does Ryan Giggs pick and choose?
Moyes needs to find a formula and stick to it. Be patient and remember that this is a transitional time. Just because it doesn’t work one week, doesn’t mean it won’t work the next.
It seems the new United boss has fallen into the trap of wanting immediate success and is currently paying the price.
Time to show why you are the chosen one Mr Moyes.
Thomas Rooney is a betting expert at footballtips.com, a site offering Premier League odds, tips and news.
Alan Pardew has reaffirmed his belief that keeping Newcastle United’s current group of players was more important than majorly adding to the squad this summer.
Discontent has been growing in the Toon Army ranks as a lack of additions has some fans questioning whether Newcastle have the depth of squad to deal with the rigours of combining European football and Premier League fixtures.
There also fears the club has stagnated by failing to capitalise on last year’s fifth place finish, Pardew stated to The Journal: “We did most of our work in the transfer market last summer. That was the important period for this football club because it was either going to take us forwards our backwards.
“Fortunately we made the right selections and it took us forward and then we have secured them as well. You have to look at six month segments in this football world now. It goes from window to window and from now until January we are stable again.”
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According to Portuguese media outlet A Bola, Newcastle United have joined Premier League rivals Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the race to sign FC Porto attacker Yacine Brahimi this summer.
What’s the word, then?
Well, A Bola says that the left winger is attracting attention from English clubs as he has just one year remaining on his contract, following another impressive campaign for the Portuguese giants as they won the top flight title.
A Bola says that the 28-year-old has a release clause in his current deal set at €60m (£53m), but they are likely to accept a lower offer for him this summer given they could lose him for nothing if 2019 unless he chooses to extend his stay with them.
Meanwhile, Magpies manager Rafa Benitez may well be looking to sign a new left-sided attacker this summer with Chelsea loanee Kenedy returning to Stamford Bridge following a successful loan spell, and with it being unclear whether he could return to St James’ Park or not.
How did Brahimi do this season?
The Algeria international impressed and was influential in Porto’s title win – the first time the 28-year-old had won a league championship during his career.
The wide man scored 12 goals and provided a further 10 assists in 49 appearances in all competitions for his team, and according to WhoScored.com he successfully completed 203 of the 305 dribbles he attempted in 40 outings in Liga NOS and the Champions League.
Would he be a good signing for Newcastle?
He certainly would be, and it would be one that would excite the fans – the majority of which don’t want to sign a £4.5m-rated Championship attacker they adored 12 months ago – and take the club to the next level to prove to Benitez that his ambitions can be matched by staying at St James’ Park.
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Brahimi would bring a much-needed goal threat and some creativity from wide areas for the Magpies as they look to push on and progress next term, and while he may be more experienced he would be a huge upgrade on fans’ favourite Kenedy in the left wing position.
Tottenham Hotspur revealed on Friday that key midfielder Victor Wanyama was back in first-team training following a lengthy absence.
The 26-year-old, who was excellent for Spurs last season, has not featured since the second weekend of the 2017-18 Premier League campaign due to a knee problem.
Wanyama had been tipped to return to action in November, but it is understood that he suffered a series of mini-setbacks in his recovery from the issue.
The former Southampton midfielder is now closing a return to the first team, however, after taking part in a training session for Tottenham.
It is unlikely that Wanyama, who is rated at £22.5m by transfermarkt.co.uk, will be available for Tottenham’s trip to Swansea City on January 2, but he could be involved against West Ham United two days later.
There is no question that Tottenham have missed Wanyama’s bite in the middle of the park, and the club’s fans have revealed their delight at the Kenyan’s return.
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A selection of the best Twitter reaction can be seen below:
Last season: The Claret and Blues found it hard last season as they avoided relegation by just five points, but there was one saving grace – Christian Benteke. The Villans only won 10 out of 38 games, lost an astonishing 17 and had a clean sheet ratio of just 13 per cent.
The Belgium international however managed to score 19 out of 47 goals for Villa and thanks to his fantastic performance the Birmingham based club avoided relegation. The 22-year-old finished the season as fourth higher scorer, just two goals behind Tottenham’s Gareth Bale.
Aston Villa conceded around two goals per match, scored around one, and had only five clean sheets all season and around eight shots per match.
The Villans only managed to beat Sunderland and Reading – who were relegated – and nabbed one victory from Liverpool, Norwich, QPR, Stoke, Swansea and West Ham. Paul Lambert’s team didn’t exactly get the results they wanted but they did at least avoid relegation.
Transfer Ins:
Jores Okore (Nordssjaelland)
Aleksandar Tonev (Lech Poznan)
Antonio Luna (Sevilla)
Nicklas Helenius (Aalborg)
Leandro Bacuna (Groningen)
Jed Steer (Norwich City)
Transfer Outs:
Andy Marshall (Millwall)
Richard Dunne (Queens Park Rangers)
Jean II Makoun (Rennais)
Eric Lichaj (Nottingham Forest)
Derrick Williams (Bristol City)
Brett Holman (Al-Nasr)
Player to watch: There’s only one Villa player you need to look out for and it’s Christian Benteke. His talent and goal-scoring skills will be much needed at Villa Park throughout the season. He handed in a transfer request at the start of the summer but made a huge U-turn, deciding to stay with the Midlands club until 2017.
The Belgian’s skills match the Premier League’s demands perfectly as he boasts a good first touch, decent link-up play, great awareness, good positioning, a lot of power when it comes to outmuscling defenders and an incredible eye for goal.
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Young player to watch: Latest transfer Jores Okore might be able to offer a lot of help at the back even though he is very young (20 years old) he managed to make 65 appearances with Danish club Nordsjaelland. It’ll be a baptism of fire for the starlet but if he raises his game he could be one to watch.
Player needing to improve: If Darren Bent stays with the club, although it is very possible he might be moving to Fulham or Newcastle, he will be one that will have to up his game. A serious ankle injury kept the England international out for a while and slowed him down which was evident last season with a mere three goals for Villa. Next season he will have to pull his finger out and get back to the business of scoring goals and forming a dangerous partnership with Benteke.
Prediction: The team had a tough time of it last season and will need to do more than depend on Benteke again. With summer spending at £10,912,000 they’ve certainly strengthened but will it be enough?
All those singings filled in some gaps so there is a good chance we might see a different Villa this season that should surpass their last campaign. Keep in mind that goalkeeper Shay Given as well as Bent, who cost around £24 million and was a record transfer for the club, are expected to leave the club.
FFC can’t see the team anywhere near the top four spots but do think that the Villans will be able to avoid relegation yet again.
Fulham are ready to battle Tottenham for the signature of Roma goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg, The Daily Mail state.
The Netherlands international moved to the Italian capital from Ajax last summer, but is said to have failed to settle at his new club.
As such, Stekelenburg has been linked with a move elsewhere, with Tottenham eager to bring him to White Hart Lane after being priced out of a move for Hugo Lloris.
However, Andre Villas-Boas’ men are set to be rivalled by Fulham, who are also set to launch a £6 million offer for the stopper.
Martin Jol hopes to bring his Dutch countryman to Craven Cottage, who would follow in the footsteps of former fans’ favourite and compatriot Edwin van der Sar .
By Gareth McKnight
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According to Marca, West Ham are lining up a summer swoop for Miguel Layun, but do they need the Mexican full back?
It’s been a pretty long season for West Ham fans, but the Hammers secured their safety on Saturday with a 2-0 win at Leicester.
Beyond the obvious relief of avoiding the drop, fans can now look towards the summer transfer window and next season.
While the spine of the team is an obvious concern to most fans, reports suggest they are lining up a move for Layun, who can play in either full back position.
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The 29 year-old Mexican international is a Porto player, but has been on loan at Sevilla since January, making 1.8 tackles per game with the Spanish club.
The report from Marca claims the Hammers are already speaking to his agents, but while the international can certainly boast experience and versatility, it seems an odd move to make.
Aaron Cresswell has taken a lot of stick from fans in recent weeks, but despite his defensive frailties he is still a good player, and leads the team in assists this season despite spending plenty of time at centre back.
Arthur Masuaku is best when he’s attacking, but he can certainly perform at left back, and the right manager and system might just turn the Frenchman into a top full back.
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Of course there is the argument that Layun could play on the right side for the Hammers, but with the owners unlikely to splash out all over the pitch, they would be much better served spending their money on the positions in dire need of strengthening, like goalkeeper and centre midfield.
So, West Ham fans, would you back a summer move for Miguel Layun? Let us know by voting in the poll below…
In the post-Big-Sam era at West Ham there has been a fresh sense of optimism.
Slaven Bilic has arrived amongst a wave of investment from the board andthe move to the Olympic Stadium has brought about a feeling of ambition to the Claret and Blue part of London.
The arrivals of Enner Valencia, Diafra Sakho and Alex Song last summer were just a taster of what we were to expect for the summer of 2015. Angelo Ogbonna, Dimitri Payet and Carl Jenkinson have all arrived this summer and, by all accounts, this will not be the end of a potentially seismic change in the threat of West Ham.
It is also reported that Alex Song is due to join on a permanent deal this summer.
The fans of the club were demanding a winger or striker, with Stewart Downing seemingly on his way back to the north-east. So here are five ‘star names’ West Ham could still sign this summer…
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Javier Hernandez
Fresh from a loan spell with Real Madrid, a signing of Hernandez’s stature would be massive for West Ham. The Mexican international would bring welcome competition for Diafra Sakho for the central striking berth.
His goal scoring record at both club and international level is up with some of the best finishers in the game, but limitations make a move to a top European club unlikely unless Chicarito is willing to sit on the bench once more.
For West Ham to bring in a player from the Bernabeu and Old Trafford would be yet another statement of intent going into the new season.
Adrien Rabiot
Adrien Rabiot, Paris Saint-Germain
Amazingly, Rabiot is still just 20 and the PSG man has been around the highest level of the European games for several seasons now. Unfortunately for him, the emergence of Marco Verratti and continued class of Thiago Motta have made any progress to the first team very challenging.
Rabiot boasts an exceptional pass percentage from last season and at his age will be looking for a move where he can guarantee starts throughout the season. The potential of the Frenchman is still unquestionably high and would bring an extra layer of class to the West Ham midfield.
Kevin Mirallas
One who looks to be on the move this summer, with Spurs interested, Mirallas could be the extra winger that Hammers fans are crying for. The Belgian is another from this incredible generation and brings goals from a wide position whilst offering a direct dribbling threat to his full-back.
The Everton man is comfortable moving into the channels to create space for an overlapping full-back, whether it be Aaron Cresswell or Jenkinson, and his eye for goal could see him used as a second striker.
Mirallas would not be an extortionate purchase and his Premier League experience should reduce any potential settling in time.
Paul Georges-Ntep
Paul-Georges NTEP (Auxerre)
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This tricky dribbler from Rennes has shown great promise in Ligue 1. His contribution of nine goals and five assists last season would be a welcome addition to the West Ham side and additional depth with a Europe League campaigning looming.
Ntep can play on either side of the pitch and frequently looks to cut in for a shot at goal. At the tender age of 22, there will be inconsistencies in Ntep’s game and any fan base or manager will need to be patient, but if they were to see the Frenchman reach his potential he would be one of the danger men in the Premier League.
Gervinho
Despite nearly leaving Roma this summer, Gervinho is still available as the Italians look to strengthen.
Many English fans will not have best memories of the Ivorian, but he re-found his form whilst in Italy and begun to look like the player that made Arsenal initially invest in him. The ex-Gunner found some goal scoring form with the Italian giants and his pace finally became of use to stretch games.
The 28-year-old is significantly more experienced than many of the alternatives and would bring valuable European experience for the impending Europa League campaign.
Gervinho would not offer too much in the creation of chances, but as a supporting striker could be quite an asset.