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Mark Goldbridge believes Manchester United will not pay anywhere near the £86m quoted for Rasmus Hojlund, instead constructing a deal worth somewhere around £50m with add-ons.

Is Hojlund joining Man United?

It's no secret that Man United are desperate to sign a new number nine this summer and the man Erik ten Hag is eager to fill the role with is Atalanta's Hojlund.

There had been links with Randal Kolo Muani, links with Victor Osimhen and, of course, links with Harry Kane. However, a mixture of price and availability scuppered any potential deal, which could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Ten Hag.

The Dutch coach is keen to work with Hojlund, as the forward is to work with Ten Hag, and it appears the saga is set to reach a satisfying conclusion for all parties.

One issue in negotiations has been La Dea's large asking price with the Serie A side publicly suggesting they would require a fee of approximately £86m.

However, there have been contrasting reports about the finances involved, with some sources indicating a deal closer to £60m could be enough to sign the Denmark international.

Goldbridge believes this figure will be even lower though, suggesting that United would only be willing to pay roughly £50m plus add-ons.

Speaking on The United Stand, he stated: "I'm going to repeat what we've always said: Atalanta are looking for about £60m. You know, £60m, which is about €67m. Man United are looking to pay between £40-50m. I would suspect the deal would get done for around £50m with add-ons.

"That is not £86m, it's not £80m, it's not even £70m and it's not £60m. We are looking around €60m/€50m, [which is] £50m/£40m with add-ons, and that's what it's always been. So, my only frustration in this deal is that every now and again, you go get a cup of coffee, you check Twitter, and you see some UK source talking about £90m and the fanbase starts panicking."

Goldbridge's optimism is buoyed by the fact that United have reportedly agreed personal terms with Hojlund according to Fabrizio Romano, although he quotes the asking price at around £56-60m.

Hojlund has only enjoyed one season in a top five European league, scoring nine goals in 32 appearances for Atalanta, while also having netted six in six for the Danish national team.

He has been praised for his physicality, pace and technical ability by Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini, who even compared the forward to Erling Haaland.

Who else will United sign?

It appears the next target on Ten Hag's shortlist is a midfielder and more specifically Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat. The Moroccan impressed at the 2022 World Cup and helped La Viola reach two finals last season, albeit they lost both 2-1.

He was described as "essential" by former England manager Fabio Capello (via Voetbal) following an impressive World Cup and boasts a great range of passing, a tireless work rate and a unique ability to break up danger.

Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla has suggested that Amrabat has agreed to move to Old Trafford and a deal could be conducted for approximately €30m including add-ons.

If Amrabat were to follow Hojlund to Manchester, then the Red Devils would have completed five signings during the transfer window with Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Jonny Evans having already finalised moves.

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard is set to be given a 'longer contract' at the Emirates Stadium and both parties are 'very relaxed' about the situation, according to journalist Paul Brown.

How long is Martin Odegaard tied to Arsenal?

According to Capology, Norway international Odegaard is tied to Arsenal until the summer of 2025 and earns around £115,000 per week on his current terms at the Emirates.

Earlier this year, 90min reported that Arsenal would sit down with the 24-year-old to discuss a new contract at the club to reflect his importance to the side.

Odegaard, who is club captain at the Gunners, would be in line for a 'significant' pay increase and his representatives are happy to sit down and talk through the conditions of extending his time in north London.

Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano took to Twitter back in May to reveal that Arsenal have an option to extend his present deal until 2026, stating: "Arsenal have an option to extend Martin Ødegaard’s current contract until June 2026 — but negotiations will take place soon over new long term deal. Ødegaard loves the club and Arsenal want Martin to be part of their long term project."

Contract renewals for big stars at the club have recently been commonplace as Mikel Arteta's side have now tied down William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale, as per Sky Sports.

On their official website, Arsenal confirmed that Reiss Nelson has also been granted a new long-term deal at the club as Spaniard Arteta looks to build a squad for many years to come.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Brown thinks that Odegaard could be the next to follow and commit his future to the Gunners for the next few years.

Brown told FFC: "I think Arsenal are definitely keen to get Odegaard on a longer contract and reward what he's done on the pitch there, by giving him a significant pay rise. I do think that is on the agenda, they do have an option in his contract to extend it for a year, I believe, so there isn't any great hurry in this. Every time Odegaard has spoken about the situation, he's always seemed very relaxed. I don't think there's anything really to worry about here from Arsenal's situation."

Should Arsenal be giving Martin Odegaard a new contract?

By any means necessary, given that Odegaard is arguably the most important player at the club and factoring in that he is also the Gunners' captain.

Quite simply, Arteta can't afford to lose the services of Odegaard any time soon. Paris Saint-Germain were reported to be keen on the Norwegian midfielder, as cited by The Daily Mail back in May, making the renewal of his contract a key priority for the club in the near future.

Last season, Odegaard led from the front in Arsenal's Premier League title challenge, amassing 15 goals and eight assists in 45 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

Fotmob detail that the 24-year-old also created the fifth-most big chances out of any player in the English top flight in 2022/23, managing to lay on 76 in total over the course of the campaign.

Odegaard will be a key player once again for Arsenal in 2023/24 and his boss Arteta will be desperate to nail him down on a long-term deal as he continues to build his project at the Emirates.

Newcastle United have so far failed to agree a fee with Southampton defender Tino Livramento over a summer move, according to a fresh update.

What is the latest Tino Livramento transfer news?

The 20-year-old is one of many highly rated English right-backs currently, in an area where the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier have all been such influential players for their respective clubs.

Livramento may have seen his progress hampered a little recently because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury, but a bright future is still expected for him, with the youngster making 34 appearances for Saints since arriving from Chelsea.

Indeed, former Southampton boss Ruben Selles previously labelled the defender "perfect" amid the club's relegation battle last term, citing his importance to the club and bemoaning the fact he didn't have more time to coach him due to his injury.

With Southampton suffering relegation from the Premier League to the Championship last season, they are going to find it hard to keep hold of some of their most prized assets, of which Livramento is arguably one.

Newcastle have been linked with a move for the £8,000-a-week defender numerous times recently, seeing him as a possible long-term replacement for Trippier, and someone who could end up being a mainstay of the team for many years to come.

A new update has now emerged regarding Livramento's future, however, and it suggests that a summer move to St James' Park is struggling to come to fruition.

Could Newcastle still sign Tino Livramento?

According to Football Insider, Newcastle are struggling to reach an agreement with Southampton over the signing of Livramento, despite clearly wanting to snap him up:

"Newcastle have been unable to agree a deal for Tino Livramento as Southampton’s asking price is too steep, sources have told Football Insider. The Magpies are interested in the Englishman, and have registered their interest in signing him before the end of the transfer window."

This is a blow for Newcastle considering what a fine prospect Livramento is, with Theo Walcott once claiming he possessed an "aura" about him despite his tender years, adding, "he's not as shy and timid around the place, he's got a bit more of a presence."

He is currently a five-cap England Under-21 international, and will no doubt hope to make it as a senior international eventually, and while his aforementioned knee injury could be a concern if he was older, his age means that he has every chance of reaching his potential as a top-level footballer.

Granted, it doesn't look as though the Magpies will be signing Livramento as things stand, but the situation could change quickly, and the fact that they are still pushing to sign him does suggest that there is still life in the saga.

The Southampton man could be such a shrewd signing in terms of being Trippier's natural successor at right-back, initially coming in as a squad option but eventually maturing into a trusted starter. The hope is that he pushes for a move and Saints eventually soften their stance, allowing him to move on and become a new hero on Tyneside.

Tottenham Hotspur have enquired about the availability of Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho this summer, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Is Sancho leaving Manchester United?

When the Red Devils brought Sancho back to England in 2021 for £73m, there was a general consensus that, despite the enormous price tag, United had secured one of football's future superstars.

Following his dazzling performances in the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund, there was little doubt that Sancho was to flourish in the Premier League, using his pace, close control and creative output to push United back towards the summit of English football.

However, what has followed has been underwhelming. Sancho has struggled to get to grips with life at Old Trafford and has often floundered when given opportunities to impress the managers he has worked under.

Erik ten Hag has managed to get Sancho performing at a higher level, but it still hasn't been enough to ensure him of regular starts.

As a result, rumours linking him with a move away from Old Trafford have surfaced during the transfer window, and Ten Hag may have the slightest of temptations to cash in on the 23-year-old this summer.

According to Ben Jacobs, Tottenham are the club sniffing around any uncertainty and have made an enquiry about Sancho's availability.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs said: "With Jadon Sancho, Tottenham have enquired. I'm not aware that they've advanced anything beyond that at this point. They've also got good other business done now, quite early in the window, including James Maddison."

United will still be hopeful that Sancho can turn his Old Trafford career around and convert those purple patches of form into more consistent, longer spells of significant contribution to the team.

Any discontent at United will be pounced upon by Spurs, however, who have already been busy in the transfer window with the additions of Maddison, Gulgielmo Vicario and permanent deals for Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro.

Daniel Levy is keen to back new manager Ange Postecoglou with enough funds to transform Spurs this summer following a dismal campaign of underperformance which saw the Lilywhites languishing in eighth-place last season.

Postecoglou's man-management style and ability to improve players quickly may appeal to Sancho as he looks to rescue his Premier League career, but a deal between United and Spurs would likely be difficult to conduct.

How did Sancho fare last season?

Sancho, who has been called an "unusual" player, managed just 26 Premier League appearances last season, a total that stretched to 41 in all competitions. The winger registered seven goals and three assists in total, a tally which he will undoubtedly be slightly disappointed with.

It was a promising start to the campaign. A wonderfully taken goal against Liverpool on matchday three was followed by a similarly cool finish away at Leicester two games later.

However, his season slightly tailed off, albeit still punctuated with smatterings of brilliance. Sancho was omitted from England's World Cup squad that travelled to Qatar, which cannot have helped his confidence, and the youngster struggled to make a defining impact when the Premier League resumed.

When you consider that Sancho registered a combined 114 goals and assists in 137 matches at Dortmund, United will be frustrated with his lack of progress up to this point.

Whether or not they decide to sell the 23-year-old after only two seasons is another matter, but Spurs will be waiting in the wings just in case.

Everton will scope out potential additions they can bring in from the Sky Bet Championship this window as Sean Dyche seeks to bolster his squad, according to journalist Paul Brown.

What's the latest transfer news involving Everton and Championship players?

According to Football Insider, Everton are keen on Blackburn Rovers defender Scott Wharton and would be willing to offer two players in exchange to initiate a deal for the 25-year-old.

Ellis Simms and Neal Maupay are the pair in question that the Toffees may look to use as a makeweight in any transfer, with Dyche keen to get them off the wage bill in an attempt to cut costs at Goodison Park.

As per The Daily Mail, Swansea City striker Joel Piroe is another name that has been mentioned in connection with Everton this window as they explore the Sky Bet Championship market and the Swans have reportedly discussed a swap deal that would involve Simms moving to the other way.

FootballTransfers claim that the Toffees admire Leeds United trio Rodrigo Moreno, Jack Harrison and Wilfried Gnonto; however, the former has attracted attention from the Middle East and may be offered more lucrative terms in the Gulf region than on Merseyside.

Journalist Alan Nixon has communicated via his Patreon that Blackburn Rovers midfielder Adam Wharton, brother of Scott, has come into Dyche's thoughts and could be a potential replacement for West Ham United-linked Amadou Onana.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Brown expects Everton to shop in the Sky Bet Championship this summer as they look to add some depth to their thin squad.

Brown told FFC: "I do think Everton are looking in the Championship at the moment. It seems pretty clear from the kind of names that are gradually being leaked out that it is one area Everton are looking at. Normally, you have to pay a bit of a premium for players who've done really well in the Championship because they obviously have a lot of value to their own clubs."

How will Everton manage to navigate this transfer window?

Everton are in a tight spot with regard to their finances and find themselves in special measures with the Premier League, as they have recorded losses exceeding £370 million over the last three years, meaning they may not have a hefty amount of money to spend in the transfer window, as per The Daily Mail.

Players could be sold this summer to help their financial footing and Belgium international Onana's future is up in the air, with West Ham United placing him on a shortlist to replace outgoing captain Declan Rice, as per Football Insider.

The Daily Mail cite that Chelsea are close to signing Toffees youngster Ishe Samuels-Smith for a fee of around £4 million in a deal that will see one of Everton's brightest talents leave Goodison Park.

I News understand that attacker Demarai Gray has commanded interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal alongside two Premier League clubs, though they would demand more than £10 million despite their openness to let him leave this off-season.

In truth, Everton will be set for a major reshuffle in the coming weeks that could breed widescale change in Dyche's squad and they will need to try and be acute in the transfer market to pick up bargains when they emerge in light of their financial situation.

West Ham United are "interested" in James Maddison and would "enter the discussion" if a deal is agreed for Declan Rice, claims transfer insider Dean Jones.

West Ham United transfer news – what's the latest on James Maddison?

Declan Rice's departure from West Ham has already become the summer's biggest transfer story, with Arsenal and Manchester City seeing their £90m bids rejected by the Irons over the last seven days.

While David Moyes and Co. will be smiling at the thought of a possible £100m bid for their star, they will want the deal to be concluded as quickly as possible as they have their own business to attend to over the summer, business that will heavily rely upon the sale of their club captain.

The names consistently linked with the East London side over the last few weeks have been similar in profile, hard-working, defensively solid midfielders, names like Joao Palhinha, James Ward-Prowse and Amadou Onana, to name but a few.

However, one name linked to the club could have Hammers everywhere very excited, Maddison.

Despite their relegation to the Championship last season, Leicester City have set the price tag for their prized asset at £60m, per the Telegraph.

West Ham will have to compete with the likes of Newcastle United, who have the player 'at the top' of their summer wishlist and Tottenham Hotspur, who are also keen on the player.

However, with the money from Rice soon to be burning a hole in their pockets, maybe they snatch the player from under the opposition's noses.

What has transfer insider Dean Jones said about James Maddison to West Ham United?

Jones has highlighted that while the Hammers are certainly interested in the services of the England international, they must conclude their business regarding Rice before splashing the cash on a player like him.

Writing for GIVEMESPORT, he said: "West Ham United are another club interested in Maddison and while they are certainly outsiders for now, they would enter the discussions if possible after a Declan Rice exit is sorted."

Would James Maddison be a good deal for West Ham United?

Although, the Hammers' chances of even getting a sniff of signing him look very slim as he's supposedly getting closer and closer to joining Tottenham Hotspur.

While the most logical replacement for a player such as Rice would probably be a more defensively-minded midfielder than Maddison, the Hammers massively struggled to create chances last season, and so should they have the opportunity to tackle that deficiency with the capture of the ex-Norwich City gem, they should.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, Maddison sits in the top 1% for non-penalty goals, assists, expected non-penalty goals and assists, shot-creating actions, all per 90

He also had a great personal season last year, despite playing for an incredibly dysfunctional Foxes side. According to WhoScored, the 5 foot 9 dynamo managed a genuinely impressive average match rating of 7.24 across his 30 Premier League appearances.

It's unsurprising then that his former Brendon Rodgers hailed the player as "one of the best in the Premier League" last season.

The biggest hurdle for the East London club in their pursuit of Maddison isn't the fee of £60m, it's the competition they'll face to secure his signature, but if Moyes can work his magic and convince him that joining his project at the London Stadium is a good idea, the club will look much, much better for it.

Everton managed to clinch survival on the final day of the Premier League campaign, and have now been linked to a star from a club that couldn’t maintain his place in the division.

It’s set to be a busy summer for Sean Dyche, as he aims to ensure the Toffees don’t slip to the lows of the previous two seasons, which has seen them battle relegation to the final minutes.

The latest link could prove to be a significant upgrade in attack, with a player that has already passed the Premier League test.

What’s the latest on Wilfried Gnonto to Everton?

As reported by Football Transfers, Everton are interested in Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto.

The report suggests that Everton have ‘ongoing talks’ with Leeds over attacking duo Jack Harrison and Gnonto, with the Italian’s price in need of a ‘compromise’ for a deal to be reached.

While a price is yet to be named, the winger's expected transfer value sits at €30m (£26m).

What could Wilfried Gnonto offer to Everton?

Hailed as a “diamond” by U23 talent scout Antonio Mango, the 19-year-old lit up the Premier League when given the opportunity at Elland Road.

In 24 appearances, the winger scored two goals and registered four assists for the relegated side, via Sofascore, earning sufficient praise for his exploits and trickery on the left wing.

With relegation confirmed, it’s likely that Leeds will offload a host of talent seeking first-division football, as well as aim to keep their wage budget sustainable to adhere to the drop in finances that comes with demotion.

The Italian forward could add an abundance of talent to Dyche’s Everton side, identified as a skilful presence in the final third and keen creator, as highlighted by his average of one key pass per game this season, via Sofascore. That may not seem too impressive but compare it to those in the Everton ranks and it places him fourth for last term, behind Demarai Gray, Dwight McNeil and Alex Iwobi.

At just 19-years-old, Goodison Park could obtain one of Europe’s most encouraging talents in Gnonto, with a player that could excel in Dyche’s system reliant on the traditional role of a wide player.

The teen could not only fit perfectly into the squad but could challenge some of the side’s best players for a spot based on the potential he displayed in his opening Premier League campaign.

The aforementioned Iwobi is a player that’s deployed primarily in attacking midfield, however, rose to fame in the division through his ability on the wing, and is used at times on the left side by Dyche.

When comparing the numbers of the Nigerian and Gnonto, the teenager proves to be a potential candidate to compete with the former Arsenal gem as the top pick in the side.

As per FBref, the Leeds star averaged 0.27 assists per 90 to Iwobi’s 0.19 this campaign, as well as scoring higher than the Everton player of the season in terms of progressive play.

The Verbania-born ace averaged a huge 4.39 progressive carries to Iwobi's 2.40, as well as 9.04 progressive passes received to his 3.86, communicating the added threat he could equip Dyche with in the final third, via FBref.

Everton could add firepower to their attack in Gnonto; a player that could rise to be one of the most explosive wide talents in the league.

Arsenal look keen to begin their summer recruitment with a bang as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his squad significantly ahead of next season.

A move for Kai Havertz is “very close” according to reporter Florian Plettenberg while the Gunners are continuing to chase Declan Rice, and these two signings would certainly improve Arteta’s first-team squad, especially with their quality.

The Spaniard will surely be hoping for more than just these two, however. Champions League football will be gracing the Emirates for the first time since 2016/17 next term and this suggests a stronger, more in-depth squad will be required ahead of bigger challenges.

With this in mind, the Gunners have recently been linked with a move for Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze, who is also attracting interest from AC Milan and Real Madrid due to his performances of late.

Any potential move could cost the club around €80m (£68m) which could well prove to be a stumbling block regarding a move, yet with his ability on the wing enabling him to register 24 goal contributions last term combined with his likeness to Gabriel Martinelli, might this convince Arteta to make a move?

Could Samuel Chukwueze flourish at Arsenal?

Judging by his excellent 2022/23 campaign, where he managed to score against Real Madrid, he shouldn’t have a problem shining for the club should Arteta make his move.

Chukwueze and Martinelli share similar styles of play as the duo share dribbling as a key strength and according to FBref, the Brazilian winger is the first-most comparable player to the 24-year-old star. With his rise to prominence over the previous two years, scoring 21 goals and grabbing 13 assists certainly suggests it isn’t a bad comparison to have.

Indeed, over the previous 365 days, Chukwueze ranked in the top 19% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 (5.5) and progressive carries per 90 (5.12) across the big five leagues, while Martinelli ranked highly for both metrics too, sitting in the top 3% for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90 (6.99) and top 23% for progressive carries per 90 (3.95), indicating that the pair love to get forward as often as possible and poses a danger in the opposition box.

With both Chukwueze and Martinelli scoring over ten goals last season from the flanks (13 and 15 respectively), once they get into the opposing penalty area, they tend to thrive.

It’s no wonder the Villarreal star has been dubbed a “permanent threat” previously by his boss, Quique Setien and if Arteta manages to secure his signing, he would add another goal threat to an already stacked Arsenal forward line.

Mason Mount's Chelsea future looks like a transfer saga that will drag on right until the end of the summer window.

Manchester United remain eager to sign the England international, but there is a big gap between both sides' respective valuations, with the Red Devils supposedly only willing to offer £50m.

Chelsea want closer to the £70m mark for a player about to enter the final year of his contract, but allowing the rigmarole to continue deep into the summer would be damaging for the Blues.

Instead, it may be a case of accepting United's offer now and looking for a replacement – or indeed searching within their ranks for a ready-made alternative of sorts.

Who is Chelsea youngster Cesare Casadei?

In Cesare Casadei, Chelsea appear to have a midfielder who is ready to step up and play in the Premier League under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

According to the Evening Standard, Pochettino is weighing up whether to include the 20-year-old as part of Chelsea's pre-season training camp after he caught the eye at the U20 World Cup with Italy.

Casadei ended the tournament as top scorer with seven goals – this as a midfielder, remember – to follow in the steps of the likes of Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Sergio Aguero.

But rather than having the next Messi on their hands, Chelsea will settle for something close to the next Frank Lampard, a player who scored a club record 211 goals for the West London side.

With eight goals in nine appearances for Italy at U20 level, Casadei will now look to get close to the mark Lampard managed for England U21 when scoring nine goals in 19 caps.

The youngster is not strictly one of Chelsea's own, having been recruited from Inter Milan in a reported £16m deal last summer, before then being loaned out to Championship side Reading in January.

Casadei scored one goal in 15 appearances for the relegated Royals as he made his first foray into senior football. While he caught the eye with his goals at the U20 World Cup, it was more the defensive aspect of the youngster's game that stood out at Reading.

He averaged 1.87 blocks per 90 minutes, as per FBref, which was the third-most of any Reading player, while also ranking highly for the percentage of aerial duels won with 70.6 – again, only two others bettered that figure.

For comparison, Mount averaged 1.31 blocks per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season and won 29.1% of his aerial duels.

Italy head coach Roberto Mancini was glad to see Casadei go out and get some regular football, and he now looks set to step up and feature for the U21 side during the 2023-24 campaign.

"Cesare Casadei is really good. He had already impressed me [before the U20 World Cup]," Mancini told Corriere dello Sport last week, via Football Italia.

"He went to England and played in the Championship, a tough and formative league, almost like the Premier League. If it wasn't for the U20 World Cup, he would be playing for the U21 side already."

Given Chelsea's hugely bloated squad, it may well be that Casadei has to be patient for his chance. But if nothing else, the past six months suggest the Blues have another talented midfielder on their hands, regardless of whether Mount stays or goes.

Aston Villa are out in full force ahead of the transfer window as a Ligue 1 ace has been linked to the club.

Unai Emery will hope to bolster his squad this summer, after securing European football for next season.

With Sevilla sporting director Monchi speculated to be joining the fellow Spaniard in the Midlands, it could be a busy summer break at Villa Park.

What’s the latest on Matteo Guendouzi to Aston Villa?

As reported by French outlet Telefoot (via journalist Yassin Nfaoui), Aston Villa remain interested in January target Matteo Guendouzi.

There was a winter transfer window saga between the Villans and the Marseille man, ending with Fabrizio Romano denying any official move for the player.

Telefoot’s report this week claims that Villa, along with Newcastle, Inter Milan and Juventus are interested in the midfielder who is under contract at Marseille until 2025.

What could Matteo Guendouzi bring to Aston Villa?

The Frenchman has a strong relationship with the Villa boss already, having been one of the Spaniard’s signings at Arsenal when he joined the club in 2019.

At the age of 19, Emery saw something in Guendouzi that prompted him to not only bring him to the Premier League but to give him valuable game time in north London also.

While things didn’t work out for the Poissy-born star at Arsenal, a second Premier League spell could be on the script for the talent dubbed as a “warrior” by Gunners legend Robert Pires, via The Athletic.

Emery could bring a talent ranked in the top 3% of attacking midfielders in Europe in terms of progressive passes via FBref, averaging 7.34 per 90 over the past year, as well as having the potential to unearth a deadly duo in the middle of the park.

Having signed his ex-Marseille teammate Boubacar Kamara last summer, the Spaniard could reunite the two monsters in claret and blue.

Playing alongside each other in the 2021/22 Ligue 1 season, Guendouzi won an average of 52% of his total duels, with Kamara getting the edge on his partner with a successful total duel rate of 58%.

The Villa ace averaged 2.0 tackles per game that season, with Emery’s summer target averaging 1.2 per game, showing that the pair could combine to be a strong force in midfield with their added chemistry.

Most prominently, the former Arsenal gem is an expert passer of the ball, maintaining a successful pass rate of 88% this season, as well as creating six big chances with numbers that showcase his ability offensively from deep midfield.

Emery could reconnect two bonded souls to create a dangerous duo in his midfield and unearth a French core in the Midlands and with plenty of clubs interested in the £42k-per-week powerhouse, the Spaniard will have to work his charm once more to lure the Frenchman.