Kante, Benzema, and Neymar – A Dream Saudi Pro League Team

A number of top players look set to follow Cristiano Ronaldo to the Saudi Pro League this summer, so Football FanCast has decided to make a dream team of potential signings.

Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy

As per The Guardian, a number of Chelsea players could be sold this summer as Todd Boehly desperately looks to balance the books at Stamford Bridge.

Seeing as he was named the Champions League's Goalkeeper of the Season as recently as 2020/21, 31-year-old shot-stopper Mendy would surely arrive as the division's best goalkeeper – even with David Ospina already at Al Nassr.

Right-back: Kyle Walker

Manchester City essentially completed football last season so it's easy to see why some players could be ready for a new challenge.

As per 90min, after not starting the Champions League final, it's believed that Walker is considering his options right now with the Saudi Pro League ready to pounce.

Centre-back: Kalidou Koulibaly

Koulibaly is another Chelsea player reportedly close to a move to Saudi Arabia having struggled since his £33.8m move from Napoli last summer.

It wasn't that long ago that he was considered one of Serie A's best players and he would no doubt be an impressive addition to this fast-growing league.

Centre-back: Sergio Ramos

The legendary former Real Madrid man is leaving PSG this summer with his contract expiring and would be a major signing for the division.

Al-Ahli are keen to get him onboard and are said to be preparing an annual salary offer of $20m (£15.7m) for the Spanish defender (via Mundo Deportivo).

Left-back: Ivan Perisic

According to journalist Ben Jacobs (via The Spurs Web), the Tottenham Hotspur wing-back could be heading to Al-Hilal this summer.

Having been a star at international level with Croatia for a number of years, the 34-year-old is coming towards the later stages of his career but would still be a fine addition to most leagues.

Right-midfield: Bernardo Silva

Fresh of winning the treble with Manchester City, the creative midfielder could probably do a job for any team in the world, so it's no wonder he's wanted by the Saudi Pro League – although Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are also linked.

However, with that in mind, the reporting at this stage suggests Silva will turn down the opportunity to leave Europe at this moment in his career.

Centre-midfield: Ruben Neves

Many expected Barcelona to come calling when the Wolves ace finally left the Premier League but it appears that move will never materialise.

Indeed, as per Sky Sports, the highly-rated Portuguese international is off to Al Hilal after a £47m transfer fee was agreed upon recently. It's an interesting career move, to say the least, for the former Porto captain.

Centre-midfield: N'Golo Kante

After seven years at Stamford Bridge, the French World Cup winner is leaving the Blues and heading overseas this summer having won so much during his time in England – including that famous title win with Leicester City.

In fact, this deal has already been agreed upon with Kante set to join Saudi Arabia champions Al Ittihad on a three-year deal.

Left midfield: Neymar

The 31-year-old would no doubt be the biggest coup since Ronaldo if he did head to Saudi this summer and it does look as though he's leaving PSG at least.

ESPN report that Al-Hilal is one of the teams to be interested in securing the Brazilian ace but it remains unclear if he'd be open to a move.

Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo

The first megastar to move to Saudi has settled into his new environment relatively well with 14 goals and two assists in his first 19 games for Al Nassr.

It will be interesting to see how he gets on alongside his new teammates and opponents, with the league's quality no doubt set to drastically improve in the near futute.

Striker: Karim Benzema

Another big name to already be confirmed as a Saudi Pro League signing. Benzema left Real Madrid recently and will be playing alongside France teammate Kante at Al Ittihad.

Having scored 354 goals for Los Blancos, while also picking up five Champions League trophies, the 35-year-old is sure to tear things up with his new club.

Full team:

Mendy; Walker, Koulibaly, Ramos, Perisic; Silva Neves, Kante, Neymar; Ronaldo, Benzema

Liverpool Eyeing Dream Van Dijk Heir In £21m Mountain

Liverpool technical director Jorg Schmadtke is interested in completing a swoop for Torino's Dutch centre-half Perr Schuurs this summer, according to recent reports…

What's the latest on Perr Schuurs to Liverpool?

That's according to Caught Offside, who claim that Liverpool have added the 23-year-old to their list of transfer targets as manager Jurgen Klopp looks to rejuvenate his squad after a subpar season.

Torino are believed to be willing to initiate talks regarding Schuur's possible transfer with potential suitors for around €20-25m (£17-21m), which could leave Schmadtke convinced of securing a shrewd signature to leave ample room for further investment elsewhere.

While the emphasis is, understandably, on bolstering the centre of the park after Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League, Fabrizio Romano has recently confirmed that the club are searching for a centre-back and will make their move if the right chance arises.

Should Liverpool sign Perr Schuurs?

The 6 foot 3 colossus has gone under the radar somewhat but is undoubtedly one of the Serie A's most efficient and composed central defenders, with Torino finishing tenth this term and shipping just 41 goals all season – a better record than three of the top five.

Having started 28 league matches this term, the Dutchman earned a solid average rating of 6.87 – as per Sofascore – completed 88% of his passes, averaged 1.7 tackles and 3.2 clearances per match, dubbed a "mountain" by journalist Josh Bunting.

As per FBref, the £30k-per-week titan ranks among the top 8% of centre-backs across Europe's top five leagues for rate of assists, the top 19% for successful take-ons and the top 19% for rate of tackles per 90, indicating a varied approach to his craft that tantalises a possible moulding into a superlative modern-day central defender, something Liverpool's star defender Virgil van Dijk could play a pivotal role in.

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk

Schuurs' compatriot has been one of Europe's leading forces since signing for the Reds for £75m from Southampton in 2019, making 222 appearances, scoring 19 goals and supplying 12 assists while playing a definitive part in a period in Liverpool's history littered with silverware.

Brazenly named "the best centre-half of all time" by Michael Owen, the 31-year-old bears a resemblance to Schuurs in that he averages 4.9 clearances per game across the duration of his career, as per WhoScored, and could allow his younger peer to absorb the fruits of his sweeping aptitude, and given that he towers above most at 6 foot 5, he could help nurture Schuurs' own aerial ability.

The 'mountain' would fall into Liverpool's defensive crop at a time when he would likely be allowed to integrate slowly, with Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all shouldering the burden, but in time, he could take Van Dijk's mantle and cement a prominent role in a prestigious Premier League outfit.

Man Utd Set To Make Offer For £50m ‘Mad Player’

There has been an update regarding Manchester United's apparent interest in Chelsea contract rebel, Mason Mount…

What's the latest on Mount to Man United?

According to the Telegraph's James Ducker, the Red Devils are readying an offer worth in the region of £50m for the 24-year-old, with The Athletic's David Ornstein previously revealing that the Englishman is "leaning towards" a move to Old Trafford with just a year left to run on his existing deal.

Writing on Twitter, Ducker revealed: "#MUFC set to make £50m bid for Mason Mount (spelt name correctly this time). Chelsea expected to demand more. Fred planning talks with Ten Hag amid uncertainty over his future at United."

In his attached piece for The Telegraph – alongside colleague Jason Burt – the respected journalist went on to add that there is 'growing confidence' among those at United that a deal for the 36-cap ace can be agreed, despite the current gap in valuation between themselves and the Blues.

Who could Mount replace at Man United?

While Ducker spoke of the 'uncertainty' surrounding the future of Fred at the Theatre of Dreams – amid reports that the Brazilian could be on his way to Fulham – the 30-year-old may not be the only player to suffer from Mount's arrival, with Donny van de Beek also likely to see himself pushed further down the pecking order.

Like the Chelsea man, Van de Beek has typically operated in an advanced playmaking role during his time at United to date, albeit with the Dutchman having endured a miserable three-spell at the club, in truth, having been unable to nail down a regular in the side.

Having been signed from Ajax back in the summer of 2020 during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time at the club, the 25-year-old has gone on to start just 23 games in all competitions in that time, scoring just twice and laying on only two assists.

Man United's Donny van de Beek

The most recent campaign, in particular, proved rather bleak for the Netherlands international despite the arrival of compatriot Erik ten Hag as he made just ten appearances before suffering a season-ending injury in January, with recent reports now claiming that the £40m man could be among those to depart this summer.

The signing of Mount, therefore, could be the final nail in the coffin for Van de Beek, with his fellow playmaker having proven himself a far more effective force in the Premier League, having reached double figures for both goals and assists in the top flight during the 2021/22 season.

While the one-time Derby County loanee was unable to replicate that feat this time around, the Portsmouth-born ace did still chip in with three goals and six across all fronts, while Van de Beek proved unable to provide a single goal involvement.

With journalist Samuel Luckhurst previously stating that deploying the latter man simply "doesn't work", then the addition of a "mad player" such as Mount – as hailed by club legend Rio Ferdinand – could prove an undeniable upgrade for Ten Hag.

As such, if a deal for the Three Lions gem does go through, it could well be bye-bye Van de Beek…

Leeds Hit By Exit Rumour Surrounding £55k-A-Week Hero

Influential Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams could leave the club on loan during the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update.

Has Adams played well for Leeds?

The 24-year-old has made an immediate impact at Elland Road, joining from RB Leipzig last summer and becoming of the most important players at the club.

Adams added immediate quality and tenacity to Leeds' midfield, starting 24 matches in the Premier League before an injury ended his season prematurely. That proved to be a massive setback for the Whites, who weren't the same team without him and eventually suffered relegation to the Championship on the final day.

Many were left wondering if things would have panned out different with the £55,000-a-week midfielder available all the way through the campaign, and they are now going to find it very difficult to keep of him, despite him only arriving a year ago.

Leeds United midfielder Tyler Adams.

Could Adams depart on loan this summer?

According to Football Insider, Leeds "could sanction a loan exit" for their "star midfielder" this summer, rather than him leaving on a permanent basis. The report goes on to add that the Whites "will hold a degree of control – with Adams’ long-term contract meaning it will take a big-money fee to prise him away from Elland Road".

For that reason, a loan move "could be the best solution – allowing him to supercharge his transfer value with another impressive season".

This is probably the best outcome that Leeds could hope for regarding Adams this summer, with the 36-cap USA international not someone who will be wanting to ply his trade in the Championship in 2023/24. He is a top-level footballer who should be playing in the Premier League, or one of Europe's top five leagues, with Jesse Marsch describing him as a "very important" player during his time as manager.

From a Whites perspective, the hope is that Adams goes away on loan for a year, during which time they seal a speedy return to the Premier League, at which point he returns to Elland Road and kick starts his Leeds career again.

Whether that is possible remains to be seen – he could shine on loan somewhere and then eventually head there for good – but it would be a more preferable outcome than selling him permanently so soon after arriving given his obvious quality, even if it would mean receiving big money for his services.

Chelsea Could Lose £150k-A-Week Ace This Summer

Chelsea forward Kai Havertz is wanted by Real Madrid in the summer transfer window, according to a new update from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Did Havertz have a good season for Chelsea?

The German joined the Blues back in the summer of 2020 from Bayer Leverkusen, famously scoring the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City.

It's fair to say that Havertz has blown a little hot and cold in a Chelsea shirt overall, however, with his performances not always matching his top-class levels of talent. This season, the £150,000-a-week attacker only scored seven times in 35 Premier League appearances, and while that was still more than any other Blues player, he still didn't offer enough leading the line.

It has led to queastion marks surrounding the 23-year-old's long-term future at Stamford Bridge, even though his current deal runs until the summer of 2025. Much may depend on how happy he is in west London currently, and whether Mauricio Pochettino sees him as a key figure.

Chelsea attacker Kai Havertz

Could Havertz join Real Madrid this summer?

Taking to Twitter, Romano claimed that Madrid are keen on acquiring Havertz's signature before the beginning of next season, with Carlo Ancelotti a big fan of his:

"Real Madrid have concrete interest in Kai Havertz. He’s one of the players in the list, really appreciated by Ancelotti. Understand Chelsea are open to discuss Havertz exit but they want important fee, no way for loan & similar."

Havertz leaving Chelsea would be a blow, especially if Pochettino considers him someone who he can build his team around. With Mason Mount looking likely to leave, it could even be that he is used in a No.10 role behind an elite striker who comes in, such as Napoli's Victor Osimhen, who has been linked with the Blues a number of times in recent months.

Granted, the 34-cap and 12-goal Germany international hasn't always performed at a consistently high level, but he remains a young player with a huge amount of potential. He was once described as "world-class" by Matthias Sammer during his Bundesliga days, so to lose him to Madrid at this point in his career would be a setback.

The hope is that Havertz is buoyed by the appointment of Pochettino and sees his future there for the time being, going up a gear under the Argentine next season and fulfilling his talent in the process.

Man United Set To Sign "Extraordinary" £52m Player

Manchester United will allegedly sign Napoli defender Kim Min-jae this summer by triggering his €60m (£52m) release clause.

What’s the latest Man United transfer news?

The Red Devils could be set for a busy summer in the transfer market ahead of Erik ten Hag’s second season in charge, despite the ongoing off-field saga when it comes to an Old Trafford takeover.

Reports have previously suggested that midfield and attacking reinforcements are high on the club’s wishlist, but it appears as if a new defender is also wanted.

There has been speculation this year that Ten Hag has given the green light to sales for Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof, with rumours claiming that United have tabled a contract offer to Kim, having met with the player's representatives a few weeks ago – and a further transfer update has now emerged.

Sport Witness relayed a claim from Il Mattino regarding Kim and United, saying that Napoli want his €60m release clause paid in one single payment, something Red Devils officials are willing to do. It is a big fee for United to make in one hit, as Kim would go into the club's 10 most expensive signings of all time at that price.

The report states Kim ‘will go to Manchester United’, with no United players heading to Napoli as part of a player-plus-cash deal and even referencing previous speculation of the player lining up somewhere to live in Manchester.

Napoli's Kim Min-jae

Who is Kim Min-jae?

Kim, a South Korea international, is an out-and-out centre-back who appears to be at the top of his game with a career-high €50m Transfermarkt valuation.

The 26-year-old only joined Napoli last summer from Fenerbahce but has made a big impact, turning out on 44 occasions in all competitions this season, contributing to four goals in the process.

Hailed as "extraordinary" by compatriot and Red Devils hero, Park Ji-sung, Kim has helped Napoli win the Serie A title and has been the club’s top-rated defender with an average match rating of 7.10/10, as per WhoScored – a higher score than any United defender. He has also averaged more clearances, interceptions and passes than any Napoli player, with his completion rate for passes sitting at an impressive 91%.

Therefore, with the Red Devils back in the Champions League next season, a move for a high-quality defender like Kim appears to be a shrewd decision by those at Old Trafford. You’d expect he could battle the likes of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez for a starting spot, with Ten Hag having at least three top options to choose from, and by the looks of it, a transfer appears to be a matter of time.

Chelsea Make Contact About Signing "Mind Blowing" £100m Star

Chelsea have made contact with Napoli about signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this summer, according to recent reports from Italy.

Who will sign Khvicha Kvaratskhelia?

A number of top clubs have expressed their interest in signing Kvaratskhelia already this season, including Liverpool, however reports from Spain detailed he could cost over £100m, given the level of interest in the winger (via Liverpool Echo).

The Georgian's agent has confirmed there is a "lot of interest", with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain all in the picture, having watched him on several occasions this season, while Chelsea have also been named as potential suitors.

The Mirror have reported the Napoli star is high on the Blues' shopping list, and they're willing to use Hakim Ziyech in negotiations, but a big issue is the lack of Champions League football on offer at Stamford Bridge (via Tribal Football).

According to a report from Il Mattino (via Sport Witness), the west London club have now asked Napoli for information about the possibility of signing the 22-year-old this summer, as well as his teammate Stanislav Lobotka.

Chelsea are said to be "going wild" about the duo, with Todd Boehly desperate to turn things around after a dismal season, however the report also makes it clear the Italian club have no intention of selling either player.

President Aurelio De Laurentiis wants to keep Kvaratskhelia for at least one more season, and given that he is contracted until 2027, Napoli will not be obligated to sell him this summer.

How many goals has Kvaratskhelia scored?

The Tbilisi-born attacker has been a key player for Luciano Spalletti's side in their title-winning campaign, weighing in with a total of 14 goals in all competitions, while he has also picked up 17 assists.

Hailed as "mind-blowing" by journalist Ryan Taylor, the left-winger has burst onto the scene with Napoli, however this is his first full season in a "top five" European league, and it may be a blessing in disguise for Chelsea if he isn't available in the upcoming window.

Kvaratshkelia-napoli-premier-league-transfers-newcastle

Given that the Blues have missed out on Champions League football, it would be very difficult to win the race for the former Rubin Kazan man, so they should keep him on the shortlist for a move next summer.

Kvaratskhelia appears likely to stay put for one more year, which will give Chelsea the chance to get themselves back into the Champions League, while continuing to scout the Napoli star, to make sure he isn't just a one-season wonder.

Liverpool Plot Swoop For Dominant £35m Star

Liverpool are expected to bolster their midfield this summer after a disappointing Premier League campaign and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on Liverpool's interest in Teun Koopmeiners?

According to Calciomercato, Liverpool are interested in snapping up the services of Atalanta star Teun Koopmeiners.

As per the report, it is claimed Juventus are set to compete with the Merseyside outfit for the midfielder's signature this summer with the Serie A club expected to demand a fee of up to €40m (£35m).

Who would Koopmeiners replace at Liverpool?

It is no secret that Liverpool will be in the market for reinforcements to add depth and quality to the squad this summer, especially after a struggle to retain their dominance this term.

Not only that, a number of Liverpool's midfielders will be bidding farewell in their final game at Anfield this weekend with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out of contract in the summer, whilst Arthur Melo will return to Juventus following a nightmare loan spell.

As a result, there is a real opportunity for Jurgen Klopp to rebuild for the next generation of success on Merseyside and Koopmeiners could be the perfect new addition to help the German coach achieve that.

Liverpool have had huge success in recruiting Dutch players with Virgil van Dijk becoming one of Europe's most respected centre-backs, whilst newcomer Cody Gakpo has already been impressing in front of goal during his short time so far, with Koopmeiners now potentially set to follow in their footsteps.

The 25-year-old star who is both "dominant" and a "leader" – in the words of Feyenoord U21 coach Keon Stam – is a hard-working midfielder who offers full versatility from his position with impressive attacking skills and sound defensive ability, making him the perfect profile of player to secure a spot in the centre of the pitch at Anfield.

Netherlands midfielder Teun Koopmeiners

Over 30 Serie A appearances, the 15-cap Netherlands international has scored seven goals, registered three assists and created six big chances, whilst also averaging 1.5 tackles, 1.1 clearances and won 4.3 duels per game, proving that he is hugely influential from his position.

Should the Merseysiders commit to a move for the "elite" talent this summer – as dubbed by scout Jacek Kulig – it could leave Harvey Elliott even further out of contention for a starting spot next season, as the Dutchman is clearly much more prolific in the final third and can also offer the defensive attributes that the Liverpool youngster struggles to deliver.

According to FBref, Elliott is the seventh most comparable player to Koopmeiners in Europe's top five leagues.

However, the Atalanta midfielder has outperformed his positional peer in output this season, notably with regards to shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (13.89 v 3.79), tackles per 90 (1.53 v 1.32) and successful take-on percentage (53.1% v 45.2%), showcasing that the Dutchman is perhaps the more rounded asset.

With that being said, there is no doubt that Koopmeiners, who Kulig also dubbed a "set-piece specialist", would be a great prospect for Liverpool to pursue this summer.

Liverpool set to close deal for Ramsay

Liverpool kept their title hopes alive with a victory over Aston Villa last night and are on for two more trophies with the FA Cup and Champions League finals secured, however, that hasn’t stopped the club from working to strengthen their team ahead of next season.

What’s the latest?

Journalist Graeme Bailey has reported (via 90min) that sources close to the club have revealed that the Merseyside club are close to securing a deal for Calvin Ramsay.

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According to the report, Leeds United, West Ham, Burnley and Crystal Palace are all interested in the young Aberdeen defender but 90min are told that Liverpool are leading the race in securing his signature.

This would be the club’s second signing of the summer after the Daily Mail reported that the signing of Fabio Carvalho has been ‘wrapped up’ and an announcement is imminent.

Klopp will be buzzing

There is no doubt that Liverpool have been lucky with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fitness and injury record over his career so far with only a few slight knocks to the right-back, but with the opportunity to sign a worthy back-up in Ramsay, Jurgen Klopp will surely be buzzing.

Currently, Neco Williams is the only player for position replacement for the Liverpudlian defender but he is reportedly looking likely to complete a permanent move to recently promoted Premier League side Fulham this summer, so again the signing of the 19-year-old would make perfect sense for the club.

According to SofaScore, Ramsay has been solid in his position for Aberdeen over the last 24 appearances in the Scottish Premiership, winning the majority of his duels (51%), making 1.3 clearances as well as 0.8 interceptions and tackles on average per game, scoring one goal and contributing four assists so far.

The 19-year-old has also been the recipient of high praise with the Aberdeen chairman Dave McCormack labelling the youngster in “the elite upper bracket” of players of his kind in an interview.

Ultimately, as we have seen with Luis Diaz and Carvalho this season when it comes to signings Liverpool know how to get what they want and attract players to join the successful Merseyside outfit.

Therefore, we expect that Ramsay will be no different if the club are genuinely interested in making the signing this summer.

AND in other news: FA Cup final blow: Liverpool rocked by “massive problem” that’ll leave Klopp gutted

Man City nearing ‘deal’ for Erling Haaland

According to a Spanish source, Erling Haaland’s potential transfer to Manchester City is ‘a done deal’, as far as the Premier League champions’ hierarchy are concerned.

The Lowdown: City leading the race for Haaland

The Norwegian is expected to be one of the biggest transfers in football this summer, despite his contract with Borussia Dortmund not set to expire until the summer of 2024.

Pep Guardiola’s side have already been linked with the striker, with recent reports suggesting that the 21-year-old has agreed terms to join the Citizens, despite there also being interest from Real Madrid.

Following a fresh update, it is now believed that everyone at the club is increasingly confident that they have managed to win the race for Haaland’s signature, ahead of the Spanish giants.

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The Latest: Haaland deal reportedly ‘done’

When speaking on the Three Amigos Podcast (as relayed by Bernabeu Digital, via Sport Witness) about the forward’s transfer situation, Marca journalist Mario Cortegana said:

“There are people from Manchester City preparing everything they have to arrange for the process to go ahead.

“Everything is being prepared to get it done now. ‘Haaland is a done deal’, is the message from Manchester City.”

The Verdict: What a coup

The £135m-rated superstar has been an absolute machine for the Bundesliga outfit, where he has racked up an outstanding 108 goal contributions in just 87 appearances since arriving from Red Bull Salzburg midway through the 2019/20 campaign.

With City having not yet replaced Sergio Aguero since his departure, and Gabriel Jesus possibly leaving the Etihad at the end of the season, the current Premier League leaders may well be in need of someone new to lead the line.

Once dubbed a “powerful” player by Thierry Henry, it would be an extraordinary coup by City if they can sign the massively prolific Haaland pictured ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

In other news… City are reportedly at the ‘top of the list’ in the race for one of their transfer targets

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