Glasgow Rangers have already brought in new players to bolster Michael Beale's first-team squad during the summer transfer window but they may not be done there.
Who have Rangers signed this summer?
The Light Blues have been able to strengthen their options in a number of positions across the park as they have signed Leon Balogun, Kieran Dowell, Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, Dujon Sterling, Jose Cifuentes, Jack Butland, and Danilo on permanent deals.
They have also snapped up winger Abdallah Sima on a season-long loan from Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.
Read the latest Rangers transfer news HERE…
There could be more to come from the Scottish giants, though, and one player who is reportedly on their radar is Sunderland centre-forward Ross Stewart, who is set to become a free-agent at the end of this season.
How good is Ross Stewart?
The 6 foot 3 marksman is an excellent striker whose form in the Championship for the Black Cats last season suggests that he would be a fantastic player for Beale.
Stewart racked up an outstanding ten goals and three assists across 13 league outings, which included 11 starts, and that came after his tally of 26 goals in 49 League One matches in the 2021/22 campaign.
He also averaged an exceptional Sofascore rating of 7.40 across the second division season, which is a score that would have placed him third with the Gers squad last term.
Whilst the Scotland international, who was once described as "unbelievable" by teammate Alex Pritchard, has the potential to be a prolific scorer for Rangers, his physicality is particularly impressive and that could be key to getting the best out of Danilo at Ibrox.
Sunderland striker Ross Stewart.
The current Gers forward, who joined from Feyenoord this summer, struggled on his own up front against Servette on Tuesday night as the physicality of the match was too much for him. As per Sofascore, he lost three of his four duels and failed to register a single shot on target.
This is not a one-off issue for the Brazilian ace as he lost 65% of his Eredivisie duels last season and only won 0.6 aerial battles per match for the Dutch outfit.
Stewart, on the other hand, won 49% of his physical contests for Sunderland in the Championship and won an eye-catching 3.5 aerial duels per game, as per Sofascore, which was 2.1 more per outing than any Gers forward managed.
This suggests that the Scottish hotshot has the strength, and height at 6 foot 3, to do the dirty work at the top end of the pitch. He can win flick-ons and hold the ball up against strong defenders to free up Danilo, who would then be able to play off the towering brute.
The 5 foot 9 talent scored ten goals in 14 Eredivisie starts last season and found the back of the net on his full Scottish Premiership debut against Livingston over the weekend.
He has the potential to score goals and having a centre-forward like Stewart to handle the physical side of the game and occupy defenders, which could allow the 24-year-old finisher to focus on getting himself into the best positions to score goals, rather than being outmuscled out of games as the lone frontman.
Therefore, Beale could land a dream partner for Danilo by signing the Sunderland striker and that is why the Gers should consider a swoop for him before the deadline next month.
Everton could secure the signature of a dyed-in-the-wool prodigy this month, with Sean Dyche's circling on a swoop for a talented new offensive option.
What's the latest on Johan Bakayoko to Everton?
That's according to Football Insider, who claim that the Toffees will wage a transfer battle against city rivals Liverpool to land PSV Eindhoven gem, Johan Bakayoko.
Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…
This follows breaking news from journalist Sacha Tavolieri, revealing that the Premier League club are "in talks" for the hot prospect, and are set to make an official approach imminently.
With Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli also vying for a deal, Everton have their work cut out to convince the 20-year-old starlet to join Goodison Park over some of Europe's foremost outfits, but a starring role in the frontline could entice the player to kickstart his career on the blue half of Merseyside.
Who is Johan Bakayoko?
The fact that Bakayoko has already been called up to the Belgium national team, scoring one goal and providing an assist from four matches, speaks volumes to his potential as a first-class phenom on the major stage.
Of course, this is just a by-product of the rising star's feats at club level, having enjoyed a tremendous 2022/23 campaign with PSV that saw him plunder seven goals and five assists from 33 outings across all competitions, hailed as a "super" talent by Fabrizio Romano.
He is a naturally creative force, ranking among the top 8% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Men's 'Next Eight' divisions for assists and the top 10% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.
Bakayoko is also a brilliant driver of the ball, capable of shredding opposition defences with his weaving runs through the thirds, also a player who does not shirk away from his defensive duties, also ranking among the top 1% of positional peers for progressive carries, the top 4% for successful take-ons, the top 12% for tackles and the top 15% for blocks per 90.
johan-bakayoko-everton
Given the all-encompassing nature of his game, Bakayoko could prove to emulate the skills of Arsenal's superlative prodigy Bukayo Saka, gifting Everton an attacking component that teams across Europe will be yearning for.
Saka, who rose through the Hale End academy ranks, is now regarded as a "monster" by the likes of writer Mark White and indeed plundered 15 goals and 11 assists last season, one of the centrepieces of Arsenal's resurgence.
The 28-cap England international ranks among the top 16% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues for goals, the top 17% for assists, the top 8% for progressive carries and the top 21% for tackles per 90 – sound familiar?
Bakayoko could be the reincarnation of his burgeoning £195k-per-week peer, and if he utilises his dynamism, top-class dribbling and ball-playing skills and maintains his tenacity in the tackle – something that Dyche, who implements a defensive, organised style, could relish.
He could catalyse the offensive rebuild at Goodison Park, and while he seemingly has the pick of the bunch, Bakayoko would be well-advised to make the move to Everton and grow into his skin as the key cog in a team eyeing an ascent up the Premier League table.
When looking at the current Everton squad, it's difficult to see how they'll manage to avoid yet another relegation battle this season. The question, instead, comes over whether it will be another successful battle or if they'll finally face the drop.
There's still time for Sean Dyche to reinforce his squad this summer, however, and welcoming a goalscorer may just be the key to keeping his side's Premier League survival intact.
With that said, the Toffees have reportedly opened talks to solve their issues in front of goal.
What's the latest Everton transfer news?
So far this summer, Everton have had a mixed transfer window, resulting in an incredibly disappointing start to the season. Welcoming a total of four fresh faces, Dyche's side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Fulham on the opening day, before being humiliated by Aston Villa, losing 4-0.
With both games failing to see goals, and the second of the season seeing Dominic Calvert-Lewin forced off injured, it has quickly become apparent that Everton have so far failed to solve their main issue in the current window.
Those at Goodison Park will be hoping to see the likes of Jack Harrison settle into life in Merseyside as quickly as possible, improving their offensive output in the process. But, according to Sky Sports reporter Alan Myers, the Toffees have turned to Udinese forward Beto.
Links to the striker first popped up on Thursday, and as per Myers, Everton have now actually "opened discussions" with the Portuguese forward, but a move is unlikely to be completed this week. On a positive note, though, he did go onto say that a deal is "very possible" this summer.
So how good is Beto?
Missing 17 games last season, and already injured in the current campaign, Everton simply cannot rely on Calvert-Lewin to carry their offensive output for any longer, making a deal for Beto imperative to their survival chances.
In the previous campaign, the forward scored ten goals for Udinese, which would have made him the top goalscorer at Goodison Park. It doesn't look as though that number was a fluke, either, given the fact that he has already found the back of the net once in two games so far this season.
At his best, Beto has earned high praise, and deservedly so, including from Sam Tighe, who Tweeted in February: "The way Beto (Udinese) spooks defenders is amazing. Chuck a ball into the channel for him to chase and even if he doesn't latch onto it, defenders panic under his pressure and end up making the craziest decisions or panicked clearances."
Based on what Tighe said, Dyche could have himself the perfect player in Beto.
The former Burnley boss doesn't play a possession-based style, and often asks his forwards to feed off scraps. And that's exactly what Beto looks happy to do, running the channels and counter-attacking in the clinical nature needed to thrive in the Premier League.
Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…
If Everton can push ahead and secure the Udinese man's signature, they may just have themselves the solution to their goalscoring problems, and, therefore, a major boost in their pursuit of survival this season.
The Enzo Maresca era at Leicester City has got off to an absolutely flying start.
The Foxes have triumphed in two EFL Cup games and four Championship matches, sitting at the top of the league table.
Moreover, they’re the only second-tier club to have won all their matches and look on course for an instant promotion back to the Premier League.
However, with the transfer window shutting on 1st September, Maresca is looking to add more reinforcements to the squad and the club are reportedly on the verge of another signing…
What’s the latest Leicester City transfer news?
According to journalist Nathan Gissing, winger Silko Thomas is set to join Leicester on a free transfer from Chelsea.
The "front-footed" teenage wide man – as once lauded by Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom – supposedly had offers from Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers but has agreed a three-year deal.
The 2021 FA Cup winners have already recruited the likes of Harry Winks, Conor Coady, and Stephy Mavididi to add some valuable and established experience.
Who is Silko Thomas?
Across 60 appearances for various Chelsea youth sides, Thomas has registered 15 goal contributions before being released by the Blues earlier in the summer.
Nathan Hemmingham of the Yorkshire Live described Thomas as an attacker who is comfortable playing on both sides, blessed with pace and skill.
If a move to the King Power is finalised, it will end the 19-year-old’s association with the club he’s been a part of since U10s level.
Interestingly, his game time is almost equally split between both wings as this versatility will be an attractive trait to Maresca.
Another player who also possesses this boundless adaptability is Kasey McAteer, who kickstarted his Leicester career in emphatic fashion on the weekend.
The joyous technician netted twice in the 2-1 victory over Rotherham United whilst also managing two successful dribbles, three key passes, and winning six duels, as per Sofascore.
Kasey-McAteer-Leicester-City
Afterwards, Maresca was thrilled with the youngster’s performance and said:
“I was very happy with him, for the two goals but also the way he works off the ball. He helps a lot.
“He is working the right way and he helps us out. I’m happy for him and the academy.
“I really like him, not just because he scored. I like the way he works and he sacrifices. He helps a lot without the ball. He is an important player.”
This sentiment has been echoed by Wimbledon coach Johnnie Jackson, who awarded McAteer 18 League Two appearances in a loan spell earlier in the year:
“His ability is there for all to see, but he has a real versatility about him in the positions he can play. He has a wonderful attitude to his work.”
Pushed by Thomas’ potential involvement, McAteer will need to continue with this level of consistency and influence throughout the notoriously long and gruelling Championship season,
Both players can be extremely useful options for Maresca and could form part of an interchangeable frontline, whilst anchoring either Kelechi Iheanacho or Jamie Vardy.
The 19-year-old on a free transfer looks like an absolute bargain, given what the manager could do with his talents, whilst it also seems that Leicester possess the attacking assets to formulate a serious title charge and their return to the Premier League looks to be on the horizon.
Referee Michael Oliver and his VAR team made a huge mistake in the most recent Manchester City game as they failed to spot a clear offside when Nathan Ake scored for the home team.
What's the latest on Manchester City and VAR?
Pep Guardiola and his side had made the perfect start to the Premier League season with three wins from their opening three games and so would have been feeling confident going into this weekend's clash against Fulham.
And that confidence was backed up after 31 minutes as Julian Alvarez opened the scoring for City. However, the away team didn't take long to respond as Tim Ream netted an equaliser just two minutes later.
It looked as though the first half was set to end all square but Dutch defender Ake headed in a Phil Foden corner to put Guardiola's side up 2-1. Upon watching replays of the goal, though, it's clear a big mistake was made by the officials.
Indeed, as you can see from the replay below, Ake's teammate Manuel Akanji is clearly standing in an offside position as he jumps over the ball, and even then flicked out a boot at it, thus hindering Bernd Leno as the goalkeeper attempts to make a save.
The Fulham players were understandably enraged and further images of the incident don't do much to help City's case.
What has been said about the Ake goal for Man City?
Even though you can forgive referee Oliver for not spotting the offside immediately, it seems like a pretty obvious call for the VAR team to check and then correct. But somehow the goal stood.
Even journalist Sam Lee, who covers Man City on a regular basis, was surprised the goal wasn't disallowed, taking to Twitter to write: "Goal given! I am very surprised by that, would have been very easy to say Akanji was in the way of Leno imo [in my opinion].
What's more, while speaking on Sky Sports, former referee Mike Dean even stated that the VAR team should have intervened to rule out the goal, saying: "In my opinion no, it just can't stand. He's [Akanji] jumped over the ball, he has to be interfering!"
He added: "It just has to be disallowed."
Craig Dawson then chimed in with: "Bernd Leno takes an extra step because he thinks he thinks Akanji's going to take a touch!"
VAR expert for ESPN, Dale Johnson, explained how the decision was arrived at, but still condemned it, writing on Twitter: "The VAR checked for offside interference by Manuel Akanji as he moved out of the way of the ball before it went in, and decided no impact on Bernd Leno.
"Don't see how you can judge that Akanji's "obvious action" didn't impact. Has to."
In the end, City made sure this one controversial goal wasn't the deciding factor in the game with Erling Haaland netting a second-half hat-trick as the home team won 5-1 in front of their own fans at the Etihad.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have survived a challenging summer, as the break in play became far from a time of reflection and more of a time for action for the Old Gold.
From a change in managers to financial restrictions, arrivals and departures, Molineux experienced a wave of tests on the back of the 2022/23 campaign that at one point saw them struggle as relegation candidates.
The Midlands side were bottom of the Premier League table on Christmas day, resurrected by Julen Lopetegui who combated the odds and ensured Wolves were granted survival, however the Spaniard’s reign came to a blunt end days prior to the 2023/24 opening fixture.
The former Real Madrid manager was unable to sign much-needed reinforcements throughout the transfer window due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions, with his frustrations amounting to him ending his tenure five days before the season opener.
AFC Bournemouth managerGaryO'Neilapplauds the fans during a lap of appreciation after the match
Gary O’Neil saved the day and emerged as the man to take Wolves forward, however the problem remains for the Englishman, who has a depleted squad due to an influx of players leaving with minimal replacements.
It was hoped that the Old Gold would salvage the funds to hire a new striker this summer, after ending the 2022/23 campaign as the Premier League’s lowest-scorers, despite making a statement attacking signing during Lopetegui’s reign.
Matheus Cunha arrived in January from Atletico Madrid on a loan-deal with an obligation to buy, making him Lopetegui’s first signing at Wolves, a player that had the trust placed in him to get the side firing again.
How much did Wolves sign Matheus Cunha for?
Just months after breaking the club transfer record to welcome Matheus Nunes to Molineux for £42.2m, Wolves smashed the record fee again by shaking hands with Cunha.
The Brazilian was signed with an obligation to buy for €50m (£44m), a brilliant deal for Atletico who had only paid £22m for the forward in the summer of 2021 from Hertha Berlin.
matheus-cunha
At the point that Wolves officially sealed the deal for the 24-year-old in January, the attacker had an expected transfer value (xTV) of just €19.7m (£16.8m), via Football Transfers, suggesting that the price to be paid for Cunha was far beyond the figure he was appropriately valued at in the market.
What was the reaction when Cunha was signed?
Hindsight is a powerful thing, however there was great excitement when the forward arrived from Atletico Madrid in January, as Wolves were desperate for a change in personnel leading the line.
Just before he was officially unveiled, journalist Pete O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT of how the Brazilian could be the ideal successor to Raul Jimenez, who had fallen out of form after his heroics early into his Molineux career.
Wolves striker Raul Jimenez
The Mexican was the driving force to Wolves’ success under Nuno Espirito Santo on their return to the Premier League, cementing himself as the squad’s lead talisman and an ever-reliable source of goals.
In the 2018/19 and 2019/20 campaigns, the two following the Old Gold’s promotion, Jimenez scored 30 goals across the two terms, a feat that was cruelly ended by his life-threatening skull fracture in 2020.
Subsequently, the explosive forward spent a significant amount of time away from the action, returning and scoring just 10 goals onwards from his dynamic two years at the beginning of his time in the Midlands.
Last season, the 32-year-old failed to score at all for Wolves in the Premier League, putting weight on Cunha’s shoulders when he arrived as the man to replace him.
O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT that he saw the former Atletico forward as a “long-term replacement” for Nuno’s star striker, based on his performances prior to his touchdown in England.
How many goals did Matheus Cunha score before joining Wolves?
The Brazil international was snatched up by Atleti due to his impressive performances in Germany, where he had a hand in 12 Bundesliga goals in 27 appearances the season prior to his exit from Hertha.
In total, the striker, deployed on the wing in Germany, scored 14 goals and registered 10 assists in his 74 Bundesliga appearances representing both Hertha and RB Leipzig, before making the move to Spain.
In Madrid, Cunha opened his La Liga career with six goals and six assists in 29 appearances, however his form dropped the season after, where he failed to score in 11 appearances which prompted his move to Wolves.
What is his market value now?
Fast-forward to now and the forward that was once tipped to replace Jimenez has found the net just three times in 24 appearances, suggesting that there is a long way to go until he can be considered as a viable replacement to the Mexican.
Purchased for £44m in July, Cunha’s current xTV sits at €23.4m (£20m), almost £25m under the price that he was bought for with little to show for his price tag at this point in his Wolves career.
Was it a good deal?
The Athletic journalist Steve Madeley gave his thoughts on the capture of Cunha, branding the deal as a “significant overpayment”.
It’s a fair judgement considering that at the point of the transaction earlier this summer, the Brazilian’s xTV was just €20.7m (£17.7m), displaying what can only be described as a costly piece of business for Wolves and a jackpot for Atletico.
Despite the glaring difference between market value and transfer fee, it’s also fair to consider that the forward could still blossom at Molineux, with the four years remaining on his contract buying time for him to properly impose himself.
Wolves forward Matheus Cunha.
Madeley also explained that Cunha has the tools to “come good” in England, with progression shown early into this season with his average Sofascore match rating sitting at 7.03 after four games, growth on his average rating of 6.83 last term.
All in all, there is a long way to go before the 24-year-old can be considered as a replacement for Jimenez, who on his best days was one of the most prolific strikers in England and a reliable output in the final third at Molineux.
It will be interesting to see what the season ahead entails for Cunha, who seems to be an important cog in the squad that O’Neil is building, starting all the league fixtures so far in the number nine role.
Members of the Chelsea squad appear dissatisfied under Enzo Maresca right now, and while the club’s recent downturn in form hasn’t helped matters at Stamford Bridge, many other issues have caused this unrest behind-the-scenes.
Chelsea endure mid-season slump under Maresca
After what was a very promising start to the 2024/2025 Premier League campaign, with some even tipping them to challenge Liverpool and Arsenal for the title this season at one stage, their last 10 games in all competitions haven’t exactly reflected potential champions.
How Maresca feels about £40m forward with Chelsea favourites to sign him
The Italian has a private opinion.
ByEmilio Galantini Feb 18, 2025
They’ve won just three times in that period, one against lowly Morecambe in the FA Cup third round, with defeats coming against Fulham, Ipswich Town, Man City and Brighton twice in quick succession most recently.
Aston Villa (away)
February 22nd
Southampton (home)
February 25th
Leicester City (home)
March 9th
Arsenal (away)
March 16th
Tottenham (home)
April 2nd
Injuries to Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke have complicated matters further, and Chelsea’s decision not to sign a new forward in January has come under scrutiny as a result, with Maresca now left short of attacking options.
During their last 3-0 defeat at Brighton, supporters were heard chanting “we want our Chelsea back”, and Maresca challenged his players in the aftermath of that loss to show much more.
“The reaction is everywhere the same in terms of when you’re winning games the fans are happy and when you don’t win games the fans are upset,” said Maresca on Chelsea’s loss to Brighton.
“In this moment, they are completely right to be upset, especially in this moment of the season with the chance to bring this club where this club has to be. Winning you can go one point from third, you can make the gap bigger with the rest.
Chelsea manager EnzoMarescabefore the match
“To come here and play in the way we played, not on the ball, in terms of desire, we probably need to show more.”
Potential Chelsea exits are a consistently hot topic, with reliable reports over the winter transfer window indicating that Christopher Nkunku was wanted by Bayern Munich.
"Top" Chelsea player now thinking about leaving Stamford Bridge
According to reliable journalist Simon Phillips, writing via his Substack, many more squad members are considering their futures. Phillips claims that one “top” Chelsea player is now also thinking of leaving Stamford Bridge – but out of respect for his source the reporter doesn’t name the star in question. However, he does go into detail about why squad members are unsettled at this moment.
“Sources have confirmed that many of the current Chelsea players in the squad have either become unhappy with playing time and have been looking to leave as a result of that, or have become restless with recent results and are therefore thinking about their futures come the end of this season,” wrote Phillips.
“These players want to play Champions League football, and I have heard from top sources that if they do not get that come the end of this season, there will be a few key players approaching the club to speak about their futures and potentially asking for moves away.
Chelsea manager EnzoMaresca
“Of course, they may not get said moves away and there will be a lot of other things that depend on it, such as clauses, or if they even have them.
“But I know of one top Chelsea player in particular who is already now considering his future at the club should they not make Champions League football this season. In respect of my source, I will not name the player, but he is not the only one thinking that way.”
Chelsea next face a tough test away to Aston Villa this weekend, and Maresca is now under pressure to turn the tide.
Celtic have not found it particularly difficult to land a prolific number nine in the transfer market to lead the line for the Scottish giants over the years.
They currently have lethal Japan international Kyogo Furuhashi firing in goals consistently at Paradise and have had the likes of Chris Sutton, Henrik Larsson, Odsonne Edouard, and Moussa Dembele in the past.
However, they do not have a perfect record with signing strikers and one dud who flopped badly with the Hoops was Swiss lightweight Albian Ajeti.
Celtic signed the West Ham United marksman for a reported fee of £5m in 2020 and went on to score just nine goals in 48 matches in all competitions.
Former Celtic striker Alban Ajeti.
He completed a move to Turkish side Gaziantep FK ahead of the 2023/24 season and left the Scottish side without proving himself to be a reliable goalscoring option for the club.
Were Celtic interested in Ivan Toney?
One player the Bhoys missed out on that year and surely now regret is England international Ivan Toney, who was a target for ex-manager Neil Lennon during the summer transfer window.
The player himself revealed that he went up to Parkhead for talks with the club but did not feel like he would be the main man for the Hoops in his position.
He said that his aim was to be the star number nine for his next team and that Lennon would have had him as one of a number of options, rather than the out-and-out first-choice striker.
Toney was coming off the back of an impressive 2019/20 campaign with Peterborough in the third division of English football and wanted to take the next step in his career.
Former Peterborough striker Ivan Toney.
The English marksman plundered 24 goals and five assists in 32 League One outings and averaged a terrific Sofascore rating of 7.64, which was the highest score of any player within the squad that term.
His outstanding form came after the former Newcastle United academy starlet produced 16 goals and seven assists in 44 league matches for Peterborough during the 2018/19 season. This shows that he improved between the two campaigns and was able to find the back of the net far more regularly at that level.
Toney's superb performances in League One caught the eye of Celtic but Lennon seemingly did not do enough to convince the player that he would be the main man at Parkhead, which has turned out to be a disaster as he has gone on to be a huge success in England.
Brentford eventually signed him in the summer of 2020 for an initial fee of £5m, which is how much the Hoops paid for Ajeti, which could rise to a maximum of £10m.
How many goals has Toney scored for Brentford?
The 27-year-old finisher has racked up an excellent 68 goals in 124 matches for the Bees over the last three years with the London-based outfit.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
His first season with the club was a roaring success as he took the Championship by storm and helped them to win promotion to the Premier League.
Toney plundered a record-breaking 33 goals in 48 league matches, including the playoffs, throughout the 2020/21 campaign under Thomas Frank.
No player had scored more than 30 goals in a single Championship season prior to the English ace's phenomenal output for Brentford that term. However, Aleksandar Mitrovic did not let the record sit for long as he produced a mind-boggling 43 goals in 44 league clashes the following campaign for Fulham.
Toney also showcased his unselfishness as he produced ten assists and ten 'big chances' created for his teammates, which – along with his goals – earned him a Sofascore rating of 7.38.
He has, since, proven himself to be a reliable Premier League goalscorer for Brentford with 32 goals in 66 top-flight matches for the club since the start of the 2021/22 campaign.
The England international, who is currently serving a ban until January 2024, scored 20 goals in 33 league games for the Bees last season and, as a result, has seen his market value soar since his initial move to the club.
How much is Toney worth now?
It was recently reported by The Mirror that Brentford value the 27-year-old marksman at a whopping £60m amid growing interest from Champions League side Arsenal.
This means that his value has rocketed up by a staggering £50m from the £10m package that Brentford initially paid Peterborough for his services three years ago.
Meanwhile, Celtic's record departure, as per Transfermarkt, is Jota for £25m, when he joined Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad earlier this summer.
Former Celtic winger Jota.
Therefore, the Hoops missed out on a player who had the potential to be worth a club-record amount of money when they failed to bring Toney to Parkhead in 2020, which shows that they dropped a big blunder with the ex-League One star.
Peterborough chief Barry Fry said that the player would be a "revelation" for Celtic and claimed that he would score between 30 and 40 goals in the Scottish Premiership, which appears to be a fair comment when you consider his outstanding Championship form the following season.
Instead, Lennon was unable to convince Toney to make the move and the Bhoys ended up with Ajeti coming in from West Ham for £5m.
How much is Ajeti worth now?
The Switzerland international is currently valued at €1.3m (£1.1m) by FootballTransfers and this means that his value has dropped by £3.9m over the last three years.
Ajeti scored eight goals in 26 Premiership matches and has never scored more than 15 goals in a single league campaign throughout his entire career to date.
These statistics show that Celtic had a mare with the signing of the former Hammers flop as his value plummeted across his spell in Scotland and he failed to prove himself to be a reliable goalscoring option for the club.
Meanwhile, Toney went on to break records for Brentford and has seen his value soar to incredible heights with the Bees, with a potential move to a Champions League club on the horizon for the English dynamo.
Celtic and Lennon could have benefited from his quality on and off the pitch with his phenomenal goalscoring potential to go along with the multi-million-pound sale that the Hoops could have profited off if his value rocketed up in Scotland.
Chelsea chiefs will soon examine who and where they choose to add to their squad in the January transfer window following an inconsistent start to the campaign under Mauricio Pochettino, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
What's the latest news involving Chelsea?
Speaking to Premier League Productions, cited via Football London, former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given has urged one of Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United to take a chance on Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
Given stated: "He has gone under the radar, but maybe because he plays for Aston Villa. But Aston Villa are a big football club, people forget that, at times. Maybe he is talking about a new contact, at the minute. When you look at other clubs in the Premier League like Arsenal, Chelsea or even Man United. Someone of his calibre. I wonder if his agent is sort of secretly saying, 'he is of that level. He can grab goals."
Of course, Watkins' name has been mentioned in connection with Chelsea in recent times and the England international refused to be drawn on his current contract situation with Aston Villa in the aftermath of their 6-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend in the Premier League, stating to TNT Sports via TEAMtalk: "I just try and let my football do the talking. My goal is to score goals and help the team win. What happens off the pitch is separate."
Football Insider report that Chelsea could land Napoli sensation Victor Osimhen next summer for a cut-price fee due to the Serie A champions being yet to make progress on contract talks with the Nigeria international.
Osimhen is under contract at Napoli until 2025 and will have just 12 months left on his deal at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium by the time the middle of next year rolls around.
What has Fabrizio Romano said about Chelsea's transfer activity?
Writing in his Daily Briefing column via CaughtOffside, Romano has detailed that meetings lie ahead for Blues' chiefs regarding their January transfer strategy, though it hasn't yet been decided if they will attempt to bring players with more experience to Stamford Bridge.
Romano stated: "I’m also aware of some Chelsea transfer rumours about a possible change in approach this January that could see them target more experienced players. However, from what I’m hearing it’s too early to know for sure – nothing has been decided yet and more meetings will take place in the next weeks and especially between November and December to decide how to act, and what kind of signings are needed."
Enzo Fernandez in action for Chelsea.
Chelsea made no fewer than 12 first-team signings in the summer, who arrived at Stamford Bridge for a collective cost that totalled around the €462 million (£400 million) mark, as per Transfermarkt.
Nevertheless, the Blues find themselves struggling for form and potency in front of goal, indicating there is major room for improvement at Stamford Bridge and they may need to dip back into the market in the New Year to bolster squad depth in key areas.
The West Ham United faithful will be most pleased with how the east London side has finally unearthed the formula for lasting success under David Moyes' tutelage, having spent so many interminable years mired in mediocrity.
Having now cemented their position in the Premier League as European challengers, West Ham are well-placed to remain at the right end of the division for years to come.
One of the most important aspects behind the newfound feats is the success gleaned on the transfer front, with the dark days of misfires now over, for the most part.
That's not to say that the club haven't missed out on their fair share of targets, however, with none so detrimental that the decision not to sign Julian Alvarez, before the first-class star moved to Manchester City.
Why didn't West Ham sign Julian Alvarez?
Hailed for his “incredible threat” by Pep Guardiola, Alvarez is known to Premier League football as one of its most exciting attackers, but Moyes didn't feel that his signature was worth procuring back in 2021.
Speaking earlier this year on the Diary of a CEO Podcast, the Scottish gaffer revealed that he hired a scout who held deep knowledge of Argentinian football and recommended the 23-year-old, and while Moyes looked into the player and was left impressed by his technical skills, he opted out.
West Ham United'sMichailAntoniocelebrates after the match
This is due to the form of Michail Antonio, who had started the 2021/22 Premier League season in odd-defying form, plundering four goals and three assists from his first three matches.
Stellar stuff, but not enough to eclipse the prowess of Alvarez. However, Moyes didn't think so and indeed chose to maintain proceedings with the veteran at the spearhead.
How much did Manchester City pay for Julian Alvarez?
Manchester City completed the signing of Alvarez from Argentinian outfit River Plate for around £14m in January 2022 – likely the fee he could have cost the Hammers – with the player remaining in his homeland on loan until the summer.
Director of Football Txiki Begiristain lauded Alvarez's dynamism and predicted he would become a "top player" in the future, something that, frankly, he's more than well on the way to achieving.
How much is Julian Alvarez worth now?
For those who have followed Alvarez's displays over the past year, or more, there will be a feeling that he is not yet the finished article, and considering the fact that he now plays a more prominent role in the Sky Blues' team, this is probably justified.
Regardless, he's already considered among the best of the best in world football, with CIES Football Observatory's valuation model actually providing him with a £129m price tag.
This is, frankly, staggering, and while the figure feels somewhat exorbitant, there's no denying that the increments he has made to his game already warrant a place among the very best rising stars that football has to offer.
It signifies an awe-inspiring 821% rise in valuation in less than two years, which is, really, fairytale stuff. Not only has Alvarez played an integral role but he has swiftly established himself as one of the most talented stars across European competition.
Given West Ham's proven prowess in investing aptly after a big sale (Declan Rice to Arsenal, £105m), there's no telling how much use could have been made from Alvarez had he signed.
Why is Julian Alvarez worth that much?
Alvarez's arrival in Manchester was somewhat overshadowed by the exciting acquisition of Erland Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, with the prodigious frontman joining after his £51m release clause was paid.
That being said, Alvarez still enjoyed an impressive maiden campaign, scoring 17 goals and supplying five assists from 49 matches across all competitions, starting only 23 of those.
Winning the European treble, the 24-cap Argentinian dynamo has since been called "superb" by colour commentator Ally McCoist and will hardly regret the fact that he didn't move to West Ham after such illustrious success already under Guardiola.
The 23-year-old has made some rather remarkable strides this season, posting six goals and five assists from 13 matches so far and showing little sign of slowing down, and while the direct contributions have shot up, it is his overall performance that has been so eye-catching.
Statistic
22/23
23/24
Appearances
31
8
Starts
13
8
Goals
9
3
Assists
0
3
G/A rate
0.29
0.75
Pass completion
83%
85%
Shots per game
1.5
3.0
Key passes per game
0.6
2.4
Touches per game
23
49
*Statistics sourced via Sofascore
There is a very clear improvement to Alvarez's game after his first year in the Premier League, and this isn't just due to the regularity of his time on the pitch, but his awareness, intelligence and incisiveness have all skyrocketed.
This exponential growth stems from an acclimatisation to life on English shores, but also an unshackling from the constraints of Haaland's jaw-dropping prolificness.
Where last season, Manchester City's Norwegian goal machine was the star man, this term, Alvarez is no longer second fiddle and has his own discernible identity in Guardiola's intricate system.
The £100k-per-week gem will never boast the raw predatory instinct in front of goal, but he offers a multi-functional, protean ability in offensive situations and has evidenced this through his primary placement this season in his deeper-lying forward role this season.
His manager has hailed him as "almost undroppable" – which is pretty high praise from a man known for his constant fluctuations and tinkering of his team.
The table above also illustrates his growing responsibility, having started all eight of City's Premier League matches this season, and given that he has already hit the halfway point in goal contributions from last season, he's clearly growing into a truly frightening forward.
Had he joined West Ham, there is no telling how his development would have been impacted, but one thing is for sure, his versatility and all-encompassing offensive attributes offer nothing less than the complete package.
With the likes of Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqueta all thriving under Moyes' wing – capable of prospering across an array of roles – Alvarez would surely have found his feet at the London Stadium.
And given that Antonio now approaches the twilight phase of his Hammers career, there is every possibility that Alvarez could have played the position he performs so admirably at the Etihad Stadium, offering an expansive set of skills to deftly complement the Jamaica international's own arsenal.
Sure, Alvarez has it all with Manchester City; last season, he won the treble and the World Cup with Argentina. There's really no arguing that the move he made was an auspicious one for his career.
But that doesn't mean the West Ham faithful can't dream of what might have been for a player who is destined for an unwavering placement at the very top of the global game.