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Reliable journalist David Ornstein has shared an update on Chelsea and their transfer plans for the summer window, involving a marquee forward who is very much under consideration at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea targeting new centre-back and striker this summer

Reports in the last fortnight have made it pretty clear that manager Enzo Maresca and BlueCo are in the market for a central defender and striker ahead of the 2025/2026 season.

Chelsea in talks with striker they were secretly close to signing in January

They nearly got a winter deal done “behind closed doors”.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Apr 11, 2025

Champions League qualification is firmly on the cards for Chelsea now that five spots are now up for grabs, but it will be an extremely tight race from now till the end of this Premier League campaign.

Ipswich Town (home)

April 13th

Fulham (away)

April 20th

Everton (home)

April 26th

Liverpool (home)

May 4th

Newcastle (away)

May 10th

Just two points separate fourth and seventh in the table, with Newcastle United, Man City, Aston Villa and the Blues all tussling for spots in Europe’s most prestigious competition next term.

It is set up to be a very intriguing race, and many twists are anticipated in the coming weeks, but qualification for the Champions League is a non-negotiable for Maresca, which also could be crucial in attracting their desired transfer targets this summer.

Chelsea have earmarked the signing of a striker as one of their key aims, according to Sky Sports, with RB Leipzig ace Benjamin Sesko, Lille’s Jonathan David, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitiké and “long-term target” Victor Osimhen all on their radar.

Chelsea have also reopened contact with Ipswich Town star Liam Delap’s representatives, following the Englishman’s impressive campaign at Portman Road, and it is believed his deal will include a tempting £30 million release clause if his side are relegated.

Ornstein reported earlier this week that Chelsea have also held talks with Dean Huijsen’s camp in the last week, so a new central defender to cover the likes of Wesley Fofana is also on the club’s agenda.

However, the wide area may also be reinforced, with uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of Jadon Sancho, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke.

Mudryk is facing a lengthy ban after failing a recent drug test, while there is apparently no guarantee that Chelsea will sign Sancho on a permanent deal from Man United, as they possess the option not to trigger his obligation clause if they pay a penalty fee (Sky Sports).

Meanwhile, it is believed Chelsea are becoming more open to selling Madueke amid interest from Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Chelsea considering deal for Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens

Taking all of this into account, BlueCo are also planning to sign a winger this summer, with Ornstein sharing in a Q&A that Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens remains a target after previous links.

“We’ve reported about Gittens and Garnacho since January and there will be other names under consideration, too,” said Ornstein.

“Equally, Chelsea won’t be the only club looking at the players they are. So let’s see — but I am fascinated to watch what happens with Gittens, as he’s a fantastic player and looks to have a very bright future.”

The England Under-21 international boasts 12 goals and five assists from 41 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring in big games against the likes of Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.

He’s justifiably attracting attention from his homeland as a result, but Chelsea will need to pay a premium for the 20-year-old. Gittens reportedly commands a price tag of around £80 million, and while Maresca wants to strengthen other areas of the squad, they’ll most likely need to whittle this figure down – potentially by offering players in exchange.

Manchester City are now reportedly seriously hopeful about signing a Premier League rival who would instantly replace the departing Kevin De Bruyne when the summer arrives.

De Bruyne announces departure

Bringing an end to what has been an incredible decade at Manchester City, in which he became an undeniable Premier League legend, De Bruyne took to social media to announce that he will be leaving the Etihad this summer. With his contract coming to an end, the Beglian will bow out a free agent and look towards the closing chapter of a sensational career.

Announcing the news, De Bruyne released a statement which read: Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading. So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player.

Not just KDB: Man City could lose "incredible" ace as UCL club make contact

It’s set to be a busy summer at the Etihad…

ByTom Cunningham Apr 5, 2025

“Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here – and you deserve to hear it from me first.

“Football led me to all of you – and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This City. This club. These people… gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what – we won everything.

“Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family. “Manchester” will forever be on our kids’ passports – and more importantly, in each of our hearts. This will always be our HOME.

“We cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride.

“Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let’s enjoy these last moments together! Much love, KDB.”

Whilst De Bruyne’s exit will be an emotional one, Manchester City have seemingly wasted no time before turning their attention towards signing the heir to his Etihad throne.

Man City hopeful about signing Morgan Rogers

According to TEAMtalk, Manchester City are now seriously hopeful about signing Morgan Rogers this summer in what would need to be a mammoth deal for the Aston Villa star. Of course, it wasn’t so long ago that the Sky Blues were swinging open the exit door for the midfielder to join Middlesbrough, only for that decision to become a major regret ever since.

A player that Pep Guardiola reportedly loves, Rogers could instantly replace De Bruyne and earn Manchester City redemption – achieving the dream he had as an academy product all those years ago in the process.

Minutes

2,423

1,103

Goals

7

2

Assists

6

6

Key Passes

39

41

Outperforming De Bruyne when it comes to output – albeit whilst playing far more minutes – Rogers is only just getting started in the Premier League. With his performances this season dubbed “superb” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, it may not be too long before the midfielder finds himself back on his way towards the Etihad.

Predicting Liverpool’s forthcoming season before the current campaign is done is an ever-increasingly difficult task. Anfield has been restored over the past decade, willed back into its former imperiousness by an eccentric German genius.

Jurgen Klopp’s gone now, taken up a role of seniority as Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer. But Liverpool endured, endured and eclipsed expectations under new boss Arne Slot.

The Reds are the Champions Elect in the Premier League. A 12-point lead and eight remaining fixtures mark an unbridgeable gulf ahead of second-placed Arsenal. All is very much well.

But uncertainty is rife and the future is hazy. Predicting Liverpool’s forthcoming season is a difficult task. Chiefly, this is because FSG are expecting to make sweeping changes, tweaks needed up front, at the rear; concerning contractual issues linger like an unpleasant smell as the term reaches its business end.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future is the big one, of course, but he’s not the only expected outgoing down Anfield Road this summer.

The players possibly leaving Liverpool this summer

While supporters are resigned to Alexander-Arnold’s departure to sunny Los Blancos this summer, plenty more uncertainty reigns around various other first-teamers’ futures.

Up top, it feels like change is a given. Sporting director Richard Hughes has no doubt canvassed plans to Michael Edwards, who in turn will feed FSG’s senior figures with the plan of approach.

Fabrizio Romano has already confirmed that the Reds are planning to part ways with Darwin Nunez this summer, who almost left for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia this winter but was kept for the remainder of the campaign so not to reduce depth at such a critical juncture.

There has also been chatter around the likes of Luis Diaz and Ibrahima Konate leaving, but the respective stars are crucial parts of the team and would only be sold if presented with an irresistible proposal – that said, Liverpool are mooted to be in the market for wingers.

And reputable reporters such as The Athletic’s David Ornstein have revealed that interest in Diaz is strong. One to keep an eye on as the shuttered market begins to prepare to swing open its stalls.

Then, of course, there’s the matter of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, 32 and 33 respectively and into the final months of their deals, but both still performing at the top level and convinced of their ability to stay at the top for the next few years at the least.

Ultimately, with more than a few fresh faces needed for Liverpool to maintain their lofty level under Slot’s wing, one or two sales are going to be enforced.

Konate, wanted by Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, is in the protracted process of extending his deal on Merseyside, but Jarell Quansah could be sold given Newcastle United are keen and may be willing to spend £30m, which may fall below Liverpool’s valuation.

He’s young and talented; in an ideal world, he stays put. In order to bank funds, Liverpool might instead want to turn toward another member of the backline.

Liverpool must sell their long-serving star

You would be forgiven for questioning the crux of this argument, for Alexander-Arnold is set to leave for Real Madrid, and Liverpool’s options at right-back are going to be cut short.

But stagnancy has been the bane of fans’ lives in transfer markets past. Liverpool need to attack the window with a hunger this summer, rewarding Slot’s incredible efforts with a new, state-of-the-art arsenal.

That’s why Joe Gomez, Liverpool’s longest-serving senior player, should be sold this summer having come close to leaving last year.

Gomez was resurgent last season, so important for Jurgen Klopp’s team. However, he was privy to conversations with the Magpies in the summer and might have wound up at St. James’ Park, had a deal for Anthony Gordon come to fruition.

Liverpool signed Gomez from Charlton Athletic for just £3.5m back in 2015, when he was 18 years old. Since, he’s featured 241 times for the first team and has won the full sweep of silverware,

His renaissance across Klopp’s final campaign highlighted his abiding quality, his ability to overcome numerous long-term layoffs that might have derailed another athlete’s career.

It earned him a long-awaited Three Lions recall and indeed prompted Newcastle boss Eddie Howe to launch a move worth £45m for the 28-year-old, which indeed fell apart once Gordon was confirmed to be staying put.

Last year, pundit Steve McManaman described Gomez as “absolutely priceless” for his versatile displays in Liverpool’s senior set-up, but FSG were willing to cash in last year and his nominal impact under Slot’s management suggests the team could make do.

Centre-back

117

–

2

Right-back

102

–

6

Left-back

33

–

2

Defensive midfield

2

–

–

Especially if a cool figure is claimed for his sale, turned toward the acquisition of a new defender.

It’s the right time for him to move on; he’s not the highest earner at the club, but Gomez is on a healthy £85k per week, which is more than the aforementioned Diaz (£55k per week) and Liverpool star Curtis Jones (£15k per week), who is soon to become the foremost Scouser on the books, it seems, combined.

Gomez is a stalwart and a half, one of the central parts of the most illustrious span in Liverpool’s modern history. But it feels like the right time for him to move on, and for Liverpool to inject some freshness into the ranks while they can still bank a cool sum for his sale.

Predicting Liverpool’s forthcoming season is a difficult task, but change is needed to add some depth and dynamism to Slot’s ranks. He’s doing so well, but it’s time for the Dutchman to put his own external stamp on the squad.

Van Dijk 2.0: Liverpool to intensify talks for 'one of the world's best'

Liverpool may need to replace their esteemed captain this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Apr 4, 2025

West Bromwich Albion are back in action in the Championship this evening as they prepare to travel to St. Mary’s to take on an in-form Southampton side.

The Saints, now led by Tonda Eckert, have won five of their last six matches in the division, beating Birmingham City 3-1 in their most recent outing.

Ryan Mason will have to make some tweaks to his side after they were beaten 3-1 by QPR at Loftus Road on Saturday, and Josh Maja is one star who could lose his place in the XI.

Why Ryan Mason should drop Josh Maja for West Brom

The Nigeria international was given a starting berth for the trip to West London after he came off the bench to provide an assist in the 3-2 comeback win over Swansea in the previous game.

Unfortunately, though, the former Sunderland centre-forward was unable to build on that assist with another strong performance, as he struggled against QPR.

Maja joined Aune Heggebo to form a front two for the Baggies in London, but was unable to provide much of a threat at the top end of the pitch in a drab loss.

Minutes

64

Shots

1

Touches

20

Possession lost

8x

Key passes

0

Duels won

2/5

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old attacker offered very little in the final third and was wasteful with his use of the ball, only retaining possession 12 times from his 20 touches.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

With this in mind, Mason should ruthlessly ditch the striker from the starting line-up to bring Isaac Price back into the starting line-up as a number ten against Southampton.

Why West Brom should unleash Isaac Price against Southampton

The Northern Ireland international should be brought back into the side for multiple reasons, and not only for the attacking quality that he can provide.

As a natural attacking midfielder, Price replacing Maja could make West Brom more difficult to play through than they were in a 4-4-2 shape against QPR, as the youngster can drop into a midfield three, making it a 4-5-1 out of possession, which Maja would not be comfortable doing.

This is why bringing the former Standard Liege talent into the team could make a lot of sense for tactical reasons, ahead of a clash with an in-form Southampton team that will be expected to be on the front foot.

Of course, Price should also come into the starting XI because he has the potential to offer more quality to the side at the top end of the pitch than Maja does.

The 22-year-old star, who was described as a “breath of fresh air” by Chris Brunt, has been more effective than the Nigerian centre-forward with his play in and out of possession in the Championship so far this season.

Appearances

17

19

xG

1.88

4.65

Goals

1

5

Key passes per game

0.4

1.4

Big chances created

0

3

Assists

1

2

Duel success rate

36%

49%

As you can see in the table above, Price has scored four more goals, outperforming his xG, and created chances for the team on a far more regular basis than Maja.

These statistics suggest that the Northern Irish talent is far more likely to be a difference-maker in the final third against Southampton this evening, which is why he should be given the nod from the start in the hope that he can make an impact at St. Mary’s.

Their respective success rate in duels also further backs up the belief that Price would be the better option out of the two for West Brom’s plan out of possession, as he is better in his physical battles against opposition players.

Given that Southampton have won five of their last six games, the Baggies will need to roll up their sleeves and put in a lot of fight to come away from Hampshire with some points, and Price seems more likely to be effective in that situation.

West Brom gem who left for £4m is now worth more than entire squad combined

This former West Brom talent is now worth more than every player in the current squad combined.

ByDan Emery Dec 4, 2025

Therefore, Mason must ruthlessly drop Maja from the starting line-up, after one match, to bring Price back into the side in an attempt to secure a positive result against Southampton this evening.

Arsenal have been head and shoulders above the rest of ’em this season, but Mikel Arteta knows that the season is still young, and there are many gruelling months ahead before the Gunners might end their two-decade-long wait for the Premier League title.

Runners-up for three successive years, Arsenal have worked toward dynamising and strengthening across the park, with the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze all adding flavour to an outfit already refined and complete.

It’s just silverware that is missing. And while the Emirates side have all the tools to go the distance this term, they will need someone of Gabriel Magalhaes’ character and quality to have avoided a long-term injury while away on international duty with Brazil.

The latest on Gabriel's muscle injury

Gabriel has played every minute of Arsenal’s Premier League campaign this season, but with a north London clash against Tottenham Hotspur looming on the horizon, a muscular injury sustained out with his nation could put a spanner in the works there.

Gabriel pulled up mid-sprint during Brazil’s recent win over Senegal. It has since been revealed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein that there is a worry that he faces an extended spell on the sidelines, more than a month and thus out of action until the new year.

It cannot be understated how integral Gabriel has become. As per FBref, the £150k-per-week talent ranks among the top 5% of positional peers for goal involvements and the top 15% for shot-creating actions per 90. That aside, he has incredibly won 78% of his ground duels, keeping clean sheets in seven separate matches.

In Gabriel and William Saliba, Arsenal have two defenders looking to take their place among the pantheon of great Premier League centre-back partnerships, and if Arteta does lift that elusive trophy at the end of the season, he and his wider squad will be indebted to the composed and flawlessly organised duo at the back.

The likes of Piero Hincapie and Cristhian Mosquera are able replacements, but this could be a big blow, and it’s got us thinking about the 27-year-old’s long-term successor in north London.

There is one Hale End star who might just have what it takes to complete that step up in the future.

The Hale Ender who could replace Gabriel

Under Arteta’s guidance, Arsenal have a feared outfit once again. This is a team capable of tackling and overcoming any opponent across the globe, as last season’s spectacular two-legged win over Real Madrid will tell you.

But this also needs to be a lasting project, and it’s clear that there is an emphasis on this, with Bukayo Saka the talisman and exciting prospects such as Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman filtering through to the first team.

And on the other side of the field, Callan Hamill could find himself succeeding Gabriel when the time comes, with the 16-year-old having made quite the impression at Hale End since joining from St. Johnstone in Scotland this summer.

The Scotland U19 international has swiftly established himself as the captain of Arsenal’s U18 squad, racking up 11 appearances and scoring one goal.

With such impressive performances, he has even been handed a string of outings with the U21s, and during his sole effort in the Premier League 2, Hamill kept a clean sheet across 90 minutes of action.

Analyst Ben Mattinson has remarked that the teenager has “all the tools to become a quality backline leader for club and country”, and while he’s not there yet, Arteta’s decision to throw the youngster into first-team training and guide him toward the fore suggests that it’s only a matter of time before this star emulates the better-known names in front of him and cements a place under Arteta’s wing.

Who knows, given his leadership skills, strong reading of the game and dynamism, Hamill might even have what it takes to succeed Gabriel, when the fateful day of the Brazilian’s departure comes.

A new Saka: Arsenal chasing "one of the best wingers in the world" for £88m

The game-changing winger could be a Saka-like addition to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 18, 2025

Mikel Arteta might have a squad full to bursting with outrageous talent at Arsenal, but it’s still clear who his most important player is: Bukayo Saka.

The Hale End icon has become the club’s talisman in recent years, and when fit, has more often than not been their best attacking outlet.

For example, in 277 appearances, the incredible game-changer has scored 76 goals and provided 71 assists, which is a return made all the more impressive by the fact he started out at left-back.

In short, Saka is an irreplaceable player for Arsenal, so fans should be excited about reports linking the club to someone comparable.

Arsenal target a Saka-type star

Arsenal finally added to their attacking options in the summer, bringing in Viktor Gyokeres to rival Kai Havertz, and Noni Madueke to cover for Saka.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

However, in the minds of most fans, they didn’t properly reinforce the left-hand side, as while Eberechi Eze can play there, he spent almost all of last season playing in midfield, which is also where he has been playing this year.

Moreover, even though Lenadro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli are playing better this year, it wouldn’t be wise to rely on them to keep up the good form, considering how poor they both were last year.

So, with all this in mind, it’s not all that surprising to see the Gunners want to sign a new exciting left-wing option, someone who could be compared to Saka.

At least that is according to a recent report from Caught Offside, which claims Arsenal are interested in Kenan Yıldız.

The report has revealed that the young attacker’s representatives are ‘demanding’ a wage of around €6m, which Juventus consider to be too much, and this stand-off has opened the door to potential suitors.

According to the story, the Gunners are one of them, with Arteta said to be ‘a huge admirer’ of the Turkish talent and his ability to play outwide or down the middle, who has a price tag of around €100m, which is about £88m.

It would be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Yıldız’s immense talent and potential, it’s one worth pursuing, especially as he could be another Saka.

Why Yıldız is like Saka

So, as things stand, it’s not controversial to say that Yıldız isn’t close to being the player Saka is.

After all, the Hale End monster is four years older than the Turkish gem, and as a result has had far more time to develop into the world-class international he is today.

However, even though the Englishman is unquestionably the better player at the moment, that does not mean that the 20-year-old is not similar to him, nor does it mean he can’t reach the same level in four years.

Moreover, he already shares a lot in common with the Ealing-born ace.

For example, like the Arsenal star, he has come through at one of the biggest clubs in world football and established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet at such a young age.

More than that, though, he has practically become Juventus’ talisman over the last year, someone the fans can imagine leading the storied Turin outfit back to glory.

After all, he has already amassed 98 appearances for the Old Lady, in which he’s scored 19 goals and provided 15 assists.

Appearances

98

Starts

64

Minutes

5761′

Goals

19

Assists

15

Goal Involvements per Match

0.34

Minutes per Goal Involvement

169.44

What’s even more impressive is that 21 of those goal involvements came in 52 appearances last season.

It’s not just at club level where the positionally versatile Regensburg-born gem has been making waves, either, as he’s already won 26 senior caps for Turkey, scoring five goals and providing four assists.

When you take all of that into account, it’s not hard to see the similarities between the 20-year-old’s rapid rise and Saka’s, nor does it sound all that outrageous when one analyst describes him as “one of the best wingers in the world.”

Ultimately, while it won’t be cheap, Arsenal should do what they can to sign Yıldız, as he’s clearly a superstar in the making and someone who is undeniably Saka-like.

Arsenal can forget Eze by unleashing the "biggest talent in England"

The sensational gem could be a huge star for England and Arsenal as he replaces Eze.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 18, 2025

Arsenal chief Andrea Berta is continuing his mission to tie down Mikel Arteta’s most crucial stars with brand-new deals, and the Gunners are now prepared to do something they’ve never done in their history.

Arsenal favourites for Premier League title after near-impenetrable start

Right now, Arsenal aren’t just Premier League title contenders — they’re the team to beat.

Arteta’s side sit pretty atop the table, and it’s no surprise given how they’ve combined defensive solidity with set-piece menace to frustrate opponents week after week so far.

Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham

Fulham 0-1 Arsenal

Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace

Opposition sides have found it near-impossible to carve out clear chances against an Arsenal side who’ve leaked just three goals in all competitions this season, the best record of any team in Europe right now.

Surprise Serie A title contenders Roma have also conceded just three in the league so far, but unlike Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, Arsenal are just as unbreakable in Europe as they are domestically.

Arsenal’s threat from dead balls has also been a nightmare for teams to deal with.

Time and again, they’ve capitalised on corners and free-kicks, with Gabriel already racking up four goal contributions as a direct result from set pieces this term.

The arrival of Gabriel Heinze to Arteta’s coaching staff has been pinpointed as a key reason why Arsenal have built themselves into even more of a rock-solid force at the back, and if they continue in this fashion, a first league title in 22 years looks pretty inevitable.

While their guerrilla tactics from dead balls and long-throws aren’t exactly easy on the eye, with pundit Jamie O’Hara boldly claiming that Arsenal are ‘killing the Premier League’ with this style of play, Arteta won’t be caring in the slightest right now.

Excitement around the Emirates Stadium is brewing, and the future is looking very bright as Berta looks to convince Arsenal’s star men to commit their futures at N5.

The Italian, who led a near-£270 million spend on summer transfers in the last window, has already managed to tie down the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Gabriel and William Saliba in the last few months alone.

Berta also rewarded the likes of David Raya and Leandro Trossard with pay rises, showcasing a determination to acknowledge certain members of the squad for their fine form, while it is believed that talks have been held over fresh terms with Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber as well.

However, their most vital contract discussions have centered around star winger Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal poised to hand Bukayo Saka record-breaking pay rise

The England international is back to his best and playing week in, week out after hamstring problems, with Saka causing Atlético Madrid nightmares in the Champions League this time last week.

While Saka is yet to register his first assist of the campaign, he’s already netted crucial goals against the likes of West Ham and Olympiacos to put those games beyond doubt, and the 24-year-old is vital to the way Arteta likes to play.

The Hale End academy superstar’s current deal expires in 2027, and it is imperative that Berta seals his extension sooner rather than later.

Reports suggest that Arsenal are optimistic Saka will pen an extension by Christmas, and according to journalist Wayne Veysey, the club could break a record by doing so.

Writing for Football Insider, Veysey reports that Arsenal could make Saka the club’s first-ever £300,000-per-week player, with talks ongoing over a new deal that will likely make the winger their new highest-paid star above Kai Havertz, who is on £280,000-per-week.

Over a potential five-year contract, Saka is apparently in line to earn over £75 million, which doesn’t even take into account performance-related bonuses or other add-ons.

Negotiations are said to be progressing well, and Saka is likely to sign in the “upcoming period”.