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Slowly and then all at once might be one way to describe Arsenal’s transfer window so far.

For weeks and weeks, it felt like very little was happening at the Emirates, but now Martin Zubimendi’s transfer is reportedly wrapped up, as is Kepa Arrizabalaga’s, and there have been reports of progress being made towards both Rodrygo and Viktor Gyokeres.

It’s not just incomings either, as Fabrizio Romano broke the news yesterday afternoon that Thomas Partey is now “set to leave” this month.

As if that wasn’t enough, yesterday also saw news come out linking Arsenal to Christian Nørgaard as a potential replacement, but if other reports are to be believed, Mikel Arteta could be looking to sign another midfielder who’d be even better than the Brentford star.

Arsenal target Nørgaard upgrade

While it’s been known for a few days now that the contract talks with Partey were not advancing and that there was, therefore, a real chance the Ghanaian could leave this summer, there were no murmurings that Nørgaard was being looked at as a potential signing.

Transfer Focus

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

In fact, the report from Danish journalist Mads Glenn Wehlast on Wednesday morning was the first time most people had any idea the club were even supposedly interested in the 31-year-old.

The report claims that the Gunners have already submitted an offer worth around €11m in total, which is about £9m.

While that could end up being a good deal, there is still another midfielder the club are interested in, someone who’d be a better signing: Lucien Agoume.

According to a recent report from The Athletic, Arsenal are still very much interested in the Sevilla star, who has been the subject of talks.

A price for the young Frenchman is not mentioned in the report, but stories from earlier this week claim that he could be available for just £20m, although he is also a target for Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

It might not be a big-name signing, but based on the ability Agoume has already shown, and the potential so many believe him to possess, it’s one Arsenal should fight for, especially as he would be a better addition to the squad than Nørgaard.

How Agoume compares to Nørgaard

So, if it ends up being a choice between signing Agoume and Nørgaard in the coming weeks, why should Arsenal opt for the former?

Well, the first argument, and its significant one, is the statistical one, as when we take a look under the hood and compare their underlying numbers, it becomes clear that the Sevilla star, whom talent scout Jacek Kulig described as “10 out of 10 talent,” is the more well-rounded midfielder.

The Dane might do marginally better in a few metrics, such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists and passing accuracy per 90, but he comes out a clear second-best in most other statistics that are relevant for a number six.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.14

0.18

Progressive Carries

1.23

0.45

Progressive Passes

5.74

4.92

Passing Accuracy

81.5%

81.6%

Key Passes

1.15

0.58

Passes into the Final Third

5.36

4.38

Shot-Creating Actions

2.55

1.85

Goal-Creating Actions

0.21

0.42

Tackles

2.98

2.52

Blocks

1.28

1.66

Interceptions

1.74

1.57

Errors Leading to a Shot

0.00

0.03

Successful take-ons

0.94

0.22

Aerial Duels Won

1.79

1.57

For example, the former Inter Milan gem comes out looking far better in things like progressive passes and carries, key passes, shot-creating actions and, most crucially, tackles, interceptions and aerial duels won per 90.

This suggests that not only does he have the Bees ace beat in plenty of attacking areas, but he’d also be able to better provide cover for the back four, and the fact he’s so good at winning balls in the air will be like music to Arteta’s ears.

Finally, there is another number that matters here: his age.

At 22 years old, the Yaoundé-born maestro has plenty of time to continue developing, and if he does do that, then the Gunners would have a serious midfielder on their hands down the line, whereas at 31, the Brentford star is only going to regress over time.

Moreover, if Zubimendi is going to be the starting six anyway, surely it makes sense to bring in a promising understudy to cover for him, someone who could seriously rival him for game time in a few years.

Ultimately, while Nørgaard wouldn’t be a bad signing by any means, Agoume just looks like the far better option, and therefore, Arsenal should be doing what they can to get him this summer.

Dream teammate for Rodrygo: Arsenal now in talks to sign £68m "magician"

The creative monster could help the Brazilian reach another level at Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jun 25, 2025

Stood on the side of the pitch after Arsenal’s 1-0 win on Sunday, Mikel Arteta issued a rallying cry.

Hopefully the people upstairs do their job, he essentially pleaded, urging the Kroenke’s to put their money where their mouth is and give the Gunners the tools to finally win the Premier League again after 20 long years. It was rather telling.

Josh Kroenke, Stan’s son, does at least seem on board, acknowledging in his programme notes for the Newcastle game that “investment” will be made to improve the playing squad.

Time will tell, of course, but there’s a lot to do this summer. That includes signing a striker, a winger, a new back-up goalkeeper and a midfielder too.

Proceedings look set to begin with the arrival of Martin Zubimendi.

Why Arsenal are signing Martin Zubimendi

Back in January reports emerged that Arsenal were working on a deal to bring the Real Sociedad midfielder to the Emirates Stadium.

After signing Mikel Merino from La Real last summer, the relationship between the two is clearly civil and that’s shone through here.

Still, it’s a surprise that the Spaniard has chosen Arsenal as his next destination. After all, it was Premier League title winners, Liverpool, who fought so hard to bring him to England a year ago.

Zubimendi reportedly turned down the Reds’ advances and despite interest from Real Madrid too, the Gunners look set to win the race.

Transfer Focus

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

So, why are they signing him? Well, there’s two principal reasons; Thomas Partey and Jorginho are out of contract at the end of the season. The second is that Zubimendi is rather good at football and the third involves Declan Rice.

With Partey and Jorginho leaving it means Arsenal need a no.6 and in the Sociedad star, they will be signing one of the best in that position in the world.

In the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson, the Spaniard’s “ball temperament is better” than Partey’s, meaning that a combination of Zubimendi and Rice “could be special.”

The Spain international will never be someone to gallivant forward. He only ranks in the worst 14% of midfielders in LaLiga for shot-creating actions and the worst 44% for goals.

What he does do well is sit, dictate and evade the press. Zubimendi sits inside the top 20% in Spain’s top-flight for progressive passes, the best 9% for dribblers tackled and the best 13% for interceptions, rubber stamping his credentials to play at the base of Arsenal’s midfield.

As a consequence, it would free Rice up to play as an 8 on a more regular basis. As we saw during two Man of the Match displays against Real Madrid where he ran the show, he’s really rather good at that.

Yet, Arsenal did actually already have their own Zubimendi.

Arsenal’s very own Zubimendi is set to leave

This is due to be a summer of change in N5 with a batch of players hopefully set to be welcomed to the Emirates and another crop saying their farewells.

On Sunday, we saw Kieran Tierney given one final run out at Arsenal’s home stadium and it’s also likely to have been Jorginho’s final match in the club’s colours.

Indeed, having been brought on as a very late substitute and handed the captain’s armband, it looked like a goodbye from the Italian who is on the verge of moving to Brazil.

Jorginho’s £110k-per-week contract will soon expire and consequently, he has now “sealed” a deal to join Flamengo in time for the Club World Cup according to Fabrizio Romano.

The former Chelsea midfielder has enjoyed a great time of it at Arsenal. Initially the fanbase couldn’t get their heads around why they were signing him but he quickly proved everyone wrong. He’s one of the most consistent and reliable players we’ve seen at the Emirates during its near two decades of existence.

A tempo setter, few have been better in that regard over the last few years. Indeed, during 2022/23, only Rodri made more passes (2,831) in the Premier League than Jorginho (2,404) when compared to Moises Caicedo, Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes and Declan Rice.

At dictating play, Jorginho is one of the best we’ve seen in recent years in the English top-flight.

It’s for that reason that similarities to Zubimendi emerge. Described as an “elite tempo controller” by the aforementioned Mattinson he’s already suggested that the Spain star is a “deep-lying playmaker like Jorginho”.

As a result, there really does feel like there is no one better suited in Europe’s top leagues for replacing the qualities that the Champions League and Euros winner brought so successfully to Arsenal for a couple of years.

It’s reported that Zubimendi will cost around £51m to bring to England but that certainly feels like money well spent. Arsenal need a midfielder and they need someone to give Rice more freedom in attack. This is the signing that allows that to happen.

More exciting than Zubimendi: Arsenal fighting to sign £48m "level-rasier"

The incredible international would get the Arsenal fans on their feet.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 13, 2025

Everton are not trundling but charging into the final stretch of the season, not threatened by relegation but thriving under David Moyes.

Last weekend’s stunning result over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground ended a six-match run without win in the Premier League, though a narrow defeat to Liverpool at Anfield was the only loss in that timeframe.

Oh, The Friedkin Group will already be looking ahead to the summer transfer window and to next season, and Moyes will too, but the Scottish manager’s focus will remain on the current campaign as he further shapes his understanding of the tools at his disposal.

19/04/25

Goodison Park

Manchester City

26/04/25

Stamford Bridge

Chelsea

03/05/25

Goodison Park

Ipswich Town

10/05/25

Craven Cottage

Fulham

18/05/25

Goodison Park

Southampton

25/05/25

St. James’ Park

Newcastle United

Change is afoot for the Toffees, and it’s not just the scenery that will be restyled. However, there are some players who are proving their worth, proving they can be key features over the coming years.

Jake O’Brien is very much one of them.

Jake O'Brien's emergence

Last season, O’Brien was called a “revelation in defence” for Lyon in Ligue 1 by European football expert Zach Lowy, but few of an Everton persuasion were revelling in his signing before Sean Dyche received the boot.

Indeed, the 6 foot 6 defender stood on the sidelines for the majority of his time on Merseyside before Moyes saw his worth and fashioned him into a makeshift wide man.

Now, he’s undroppable, very much starting to look like something of a revelation in the Premier League as he helps Everton toward their mid-table resurgence.

Since continuing his dreary role as a bit-parter on Moyes’ (second) Everton debut against Aston Villa, a narrow defeat at Goodison Park, O’Brien has started invariably at right-back, something that seemed patchwork at the start but has become an increasingly comfortable and, in the best way, unnoticeable journey.

Well, largely unnoticeable, with the Irishman actually chipping in with two important goals during recent draws against Brentford and West Ham United.

The 23-year-old’s emergence has come at a cost to another, however, with Ashley Young’s services rendered… not useless, but certainly not worth renewing his current contract as he heads toward his 40th birthday.

Everton veteran is now finished

Young has been a stout presence at Goodison Park over the past few years, signing on as Dyche’s first arrival in July 2023 after his contract with Aston Villa expired.

However, the 39-year-old, who has entered the final few months of his current deal, has waned since Christmas, last starting in the Premier League during the home loss to Villa in January, a game that saw him make a direct error, cede possession 18 times despite only making one key pass and also win just one of three duels.

It’s safe to say he is not the “machine” that Antonio Conte once described him as during his stint at Inter.

The £40k-per-week veteran may not have any plans to retire just yet, but Everton run the risk of stagnating, should they not recognise the need to part ways with such ageing players at this reshaping moment. Especially, in Young’s case, since O’Brien has been in such fine form.

O’Brien excels in doing the basics well, yet to make a mistake in the Premier League while winning 54% of his duels and averaging 4.5 clearances per game, as per Sofascore.

These almost pragmatic patterns of play, carried with a central defender’s air but nuanced enough to bring his own brand to the full-back berth, suggest that Moyes may yet stick with his Irish star across the upcoming campaign, especially with Nathan Patterson there to provide support.

For Young, a somewhat sad ending given he has fallen into the darkness of the sidelines since Moyes’ return to the club, but it’s understandable that he should part ways at this watershed moment in Everton’s history.

Bramley Moore brings with it a new dawn, and O’Brien is proving himself worthy of a star spot.

Moyes' answer to Isak: Everton plotting deal to land "fantastic" £80m star

Everton are targeting a huge summer move to massively bolster David Moyes’ side.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 11, 2025

Chelsea have submitted a £30m offer for an “extraordinary” midfielder, who is keen on a move to the Premier League this summer, according to a report.

Blues planning to strengthen several positions

The Blues haven’t been shy to splash the cash during the Todd Boehly era, and it appears as though they could be gearing up for another summer of heavy spending, having identified targets in a number of key positions.

A new striker is of particular interest, and talks have now been opened over a deal for Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, who would ideally arrive at Stamford Bridge prior to the beginning of the Club World Cup in June.

In terms of centre-back targets, AFC Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen appears to be among the main candidates, with the west Londoners entering discussions for the 19-year-old, while AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez could be brought in at left-back.

David Ornstein "fascinated" as Chelsea consider deal for £80m forward

He could replace Noni Madueke.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 12, 2025

Another position in which Enzo Maresca clearly feels he needs to strengthen is central midfield, despite both Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez putting in some impressive performances this season.

According to a report from Spain, Chelsea have now submitted a €35m (£30m) offer for Real Betis’ Johnny Cardoso, but they are not alone in their pursuit, with Premier League rivals Bournemouth making a bid of the same value.

The Blues have been interested in Cardoso for quite some time, and they have now presented a concrete offer for his services, which could be tempting for the Spanish side.

The midfielder wants to move to the Premier League this summer, which indicates he could be keen on heading to Stamford Bridge, but he may have a number of options on the table, with several foreign teams thought to be keen.

"Extraordinary" Cardoso impressing in Spain

It is little wonder the American is starting to attract attention from across Europe, given that he has been impressing for Betis for quite some time, particularly catching the eye from a defensive point of view.

The 23-year-old ranks extremely highly across some key metrics for midfielders over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

Statistic

Average per 90

Tackles

2.66 (75th percentile)

Interceptions

2.07 (98th percentile)

Clearances

2.47 (91st percentile)

Aerials won

1.59 (85th percentile)

Not only that, but the Betis star has received very high praise from sporting director Manu Fajardo, who lauded the central midfielder as “extraordinary”, while he has also caught the eye of freelance scout Ben Mattinson.

Cardoso could be an excellent signing for Chelsea, although bringing in a new defensive midfielder shouldn’t be a priority this summer, given that Caicedo and Fernandez have both impressed this season.

He also became the first spinner to bag six wickets in the first session on day one

Sampath Bandarupalli25-Jan-20255 Noman Ali became only the fifth bowler to take a hat-trick for Pakistan in men’s Tests and the first spinner to do so. Wasim Akram took a hat-trick in consecutive Tests against Sri Lanka in 1999, while Abdul Razzaq in 2000 and Mohammad Sami in 2002 also took hat-tricks against the same opponents. The last hat-trick by a Pakistan bowler was taken by Naseem Shah against Bangladesh in 2020.ESPNcricinfo Ltd6 Wickets taken by Noman before Lunch on Saturday. He is only the sixth bowler to take six or more wickets in the opening session of a men’s Test. He is the first spinner to bag six wickets in the first session on day one.He is also the first Pakistan bowler to achieve the feat, as only Abrar Ahmed took a five-wicket haul (On debut against England in 2022) previously before lunch on the first day’s play.38y 110d Noman’s age on Saturday, making him the second oldest to claim a hat-trick in men’s Tests. Rangana Herath was 38 years and 139 days old when he took a hat-trick against Australia in 2016.ESPNcricinfo Ltd2 Number of instances of a team’s top three individual scores coming from their No.s 9, 10 and 11 in a men’s Test innings: both by West Indies in the ongoing series against Pakistan.Jomel Warrican (31* at No. 10), Jayden Seales (22 at No. 11), and Gudakesh Motie (19 at No. 9) were the top contributors in West Indies’ first innings in the first Test, while Motie (55 at No. 9), Warrican (36* at No. 11) and Kemar Roach (25 at No. 10) did the same on Saturday.Related

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5 Consecutive Test matches with a five-wicket haul for Noman. Only Sydney Barnes, Charlie Turner and Alec Bedser had a longer streak than Noman, with five-fors in six successive Tests, while Yasir Shah also took five-wicket hauls in five consecutive matches.ESPNcricinfo Ltd41.72 Percentage of West Indies’ first innings total in Multan contributed by their tenth wicket partnership. It is the second highest for West Indies in men’s Tests, behind the 50% by Kemar Roach and Miguel Cummins, who added 50 out of 100 all-out against India in 2019.6 Bowlers to take a hat-trick before lunch on the first day of a men’s Test, including Noman. All the previous five bowlers were pacers only, with the last one being Irfan Pathan against Pakistan in the 2006 Karachi Test.