The new Palmer: Chelsea hold first talks to sign "exceptional" £26m phenom

While Chelsea have made more than their fair share of transfer mistakes over the last few years, they’ve also signed several outrageously talented players.

However, while Moises Caciedo, Enzo Fernández and Pedro Neto are all examples of great signings, there is one player who stands head and shoulders above the rest: Cole Palmer.

The England international joined the Blues from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, and since then has amassed a sensational tally of 72 goal involvements in 98 games for the club.

Therefore, the Stamford Bridge faithful should be very excited about reports linking them to someone who could become their next Palmer.

Chelsea target their new Palmer

While their draw to Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon has put a bit of a dampener on things, Chelsea have had a brilliant summer in terms of transfers so far.

Transfer Focus

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

The board have been able to get rid of a host of players who weren’t at the level required, while also bringing in a handful of young and hungry talents who could develop into superstars, like Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jorrel Hato.

Yet, with just under two weeks to go until the window slams shut, the West Londoners are still keen to add to their squad, and are now moving for someone who could be the next Palmer.

At least that is according to a recent report from Caught Offside, which claims Chelsea are very interested in signing Rico Lewis.

In fact, the report goes further than that and reveals that the Blues have already made contact with City about a deal for the youngster this summer.

It’s not clear how much the Englishman would cost, but the report has also revealed that Nottingham Forest have already made an offer of around €30m for the youngster, which is about £26m.

While it will likely be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line this summer, Lewis has shown enough in his short career that Chelsea should do what they can to get him, especially as he could be another Palmer.

Why Lewis would be another Palmer

The first thing to say is that, yes, Lewis and Palmer play in entirely different positions on the pitch, and, as a result, play the game in different ways.

However, that doesn’t mean the former couldn’t be a new version of the latter, as the comparison isn’t really about their position on the pitch.

Instead, if this transfer were to happen, it would be another example of City willingly selling one of their young and exciting academy graduates to the Blues.

Not only that, but one who has likely got a future in the senior England setup, as he’s already won five caps for the side at just 20 years old.

In fact, not only would Pep Guardiola and Co be allowing another talented player to move to Stamford Bridge, but they could be letting a genuine superstar in the making move to a rival.

Manchester City'sRicoLewisin action with Paris St Germain's Achraf Hakimi

We say this as, when you take a look under the hood, at the right-back’s underlying numbers, they are sensational.

For example, FBref rank the Bury-born gem in the top 1% of full-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for pass completion, the top 4% for through balls, the top 7% for carries, the top 2% for progressive passes, the top 9% for passes into the final third and more, all per 90.

Pass Completion %

91.9%

Top 1%

Passes Completed

59.83

Top 4%

Pass Completion % (Long)

65.2%

Top 4%

Through Balls

0.24

Top 4%

Passes Received

53.11

Top 6%

Carries

43.58

Top 7%

Progressive Passes

6.03

Top 8%

Live-ball Passes

58.86

Top 8%

Passes into Final Third

4.88

Top 9%

Total Carrying Distance

219.04

Top 10%

Touches (Att 3rd)

24.21

Top 11%

In other words, the “exceptional” talent, as dubbed by Guardiola, is showing serious signs that he could be a world-class player in time, much like there would have been signs that Palmer was something special before his move two years ago.

Ultimately, even if the final fee ends up substantial, Chelsea should do what they can to sign Lewis this summer, as he could be an unmissable market opportunity.

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£140k-a-week PSG ace seriously considers exit as Arsenal make direct contact

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is still actively looking at late-window opportunities, as recently confirmed by Mikel Arteta.

Last week, Arteta admitted that Arsenal could still make another addition, despite the Gunners already spending north of £200 million on six major signings, but reports suggest they’ll have to sell players first.

Fabio Vieira, Karl Hein, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Reiss Nelson, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior have been mentioned as nominees for the Emirates Stadium exit door, and an exit for one of either Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard hasn’t been completely ruled out either.

Trossard, in particular, has entered the final year of his contract, and Arsenal will likely want to make money off his sale rather than lose him for free in 2026.

If that happens, Arsenal could look to target another left-winger instead of Eberechi Eze, who’s in talks to join north London rivals Tottenham.

In his latest press conference, Arteta suggested Arsenal do still need to strengthen after an already-productive summer.

Chances to add the right player could still emerge over this final fortnight of the window, and Arteta is known to seriously value versatility as a key trait when identifying most transfer targets.

Taking this into account, it isn’t surprising to see them being linked with a last-gasp swoop for £140,000-per-week PSG utility man Lee Kang-in.

Lee Kang-in really tempted to leave PSG as Arsenal make direct contact

The South Korea international can operate as an attacking midfielder, on the right, on the left and even as a striker when required – with Lee even playing as a right-back during PSG early-season 3-1 win over Lille last term.

The 24-year-old was a regular under Luis Enrique in 2024/2025, but didn’t make a single appearance in the Champions League from the quarter-finals onwards – with Lee starting just 19 Ligue 1 games.

PSG's Kang-in Lee lifts the Super Cup.

He’s now “seriously considering” a Parc des Princes exit, according to CaughtOffside, and the outlet reports that Arsenal have made “direct contact” over signing Lee as we slowly approach the summer deadline.

Despite not being a firm starter week in, week out, Enrique has tipped the former Real Mallorca ace for a bright future.

Aston Villa now racing to hijack West Ham move to sign "sensational" star

In an attempt to kickstart what has been a quiet summer transfer window, Aston Villa have now reportedly entered the race to sign a Bundesliga winner ahead of rival interest from West Ham United.

Aston Villa's difficult summer

When they failed to defeat Manchester United to secure Champions League football on the final day of the season, it was always going to be a difficult summer for Aston Villa. Their European fortunes ensured that they would have to face up to their PSR struggles and endure a window without spending big unless a number of stars went in the other direction.

To that end, the Villans have so far prioritised keeping hold of current stars rather than going in search of fresh faces. There has been interest in both Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez, for example, but the stance in the Midlands has remained ‘not for sale’. Whether that changes as Villa become desperate to act in the market remains to be seen, however.

The signings that have arrived, meanwhile, are young centre-back Yasin Ozcan, who is unlikely to break into Unai Emery’s best side at this stage, and backup goalkeeper Marco Bizot. To say Villa’s window has so far lacked excitement would be an understatement.

With a month remaining until the window slams shut though, that could yet change. The transfer rumours are still coming thick and fast even as those at Villa Park look to navigate PSR.

Lois Openda in action.

Among those mentioned has been Lois Openda. The RB Leipzig forward, whether in years to come or this summer if Manchester United get their wish, would be the perfect replacement for Watkins and an excellent signing.

The same can be said for another Bundesliga star too, as Aston Villa set their sights on getting their summer up and running at long last.

Aston Villa firmly in the mix to sign Adli

As reported by Caught Offside, Aston Villa are now firmly in the mix to sign Amine Adli from Bayer Leverkusen this summer. The 25-year-old attacking midfielder reportedly wants to leave the German club in search of consistent minutes and, although West Ham hold concrete interest, Villa could yet hijack the Hammers’ move.

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Valued at around €25m (£22m), Adli’s arrival would likely keep Aston Villa within the lines of PSR whilst handing Emery a much-needed boost in the form of a Bundesliga winner.

Labelled a “sensational talent” by U23 scout Antonio Mango in 2022, Adli still has every chance of reaching that level again by joining Aston Villa and Emery. The midfielder has experience at the very top level as a title winner and, at just £22m, could quickly become an undeniable bargain this summer.

Their own Ekitike: Man Utd chasing move for "special" £100m-rated striker

Manchester United’s summer transfer window is finally moving forward. While INEOS pulled a blinder in signing Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the early stages, progress has since been stagnant.

However, Ruben Amorim has now moved a step closer to reshaping his Red Devils side, for a £71m deal has been agreed with Brentford for right-sided forward Bryan Mbeumo.

However, something’s still missing at the front of the ship. Indeed, Man United need a reliable centre-forward.

Man United's search for a striker

It’s been a frustrating summer of searching for a number nine so far. Rasmus Hojlund is not necessarily leaving Old Trafford, but Amorim has still been seeking an upgrade, with Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres both earmarked, both headed elsewhere.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike has also emerged as a target, but the French forward has rejected United in favour of a move to Liverpool, which is in the works.

Thus, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Man United have added Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson to their list, with the Blues’ signings of Delap and Joao Pedro sure to be a concern for the Senegal international.

Chelsea priced Jackson, 24, at £100m when AC Milan registered their interest earlier in July, but United technical director Jason Wilcox will be focused on striking a deal for a more agreeable figure, as he lines up a swoop for the attacker.

Why Man Utd want Nicolas Jackson

Two years ago, Chelsea signed Jackson from Villarreal for a reported £32m fee. He has since won the Conference League and Club World Cup, notching 42 goal contributions from 81 matches across all competitions.

Nicolas Jackson

He’s not perfect; far from it. Jackson is raw and lacks a cool temperament in the final third. As per Sofascore, he has missed 43 big chances in the Premier League, having scored only 24 goals across his two terms.

But there’s a really good player in there. Jackson, only 24 last month, is already heading toward becoming one of the Premier League’s more seasoned strikers, and he started the Enzo Maresca era on firm footing before flaking away across the latter half of the term.

Hailed for his “special” qualities by journalist Rahman Osman, there’s a lot to like, and Jackson might even shape into United’s own version of the aforementioned Ekitike. He is dynamic, mobile, and varied in his attacking output.

Goals scored

0.51

0.41

Assists

0.29

0.20

Shots taken

3.74

3.08

Shot-creating actions

3.50

2.80

Touches (att pen)

6.73

5.72

Progressive passes

1.95

1.54

Progressive carries

3.04

1.91

Successful take-ons

1.90

0.73

Ball recoveries

2.75

1.95

Tackles + interceptions

0.81

1.01

There’s no denying that Ekitike is the cleaner striker, more effective with his tools, but Jackson is cut from a similar cloth, hardly just a static target man. In this way, he would already make for an upgrade on Hojlund, who was so often caught adrift across the 2024/25 campaign.

With Mbeumo and Cunha adding new layers to Amorim’s frontline, it’s inconceivable that an energetic forward such as Jackson wouldn’t enjoy plenty of chances.

Hugo Ekitike for Frankfurt.

And let’s not forget, Liverpool’s transfer target has yet to step foot in the English game, and there is no promise that he will uphold his present numbers, having scored 22 goals and supplied 12 assists last year.

Jackson would be a calculated risk, for sure, but flanked by two of the Premier League’s most wide-ranging attacking talents, he might just grow into his skin.

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Deal advancing: Aston Villa now contact agents of "unbelievable" £60m star

Aston Villa have now made contact with the agents of an “unbelievable” £60m star, in order to assess whether he would be keen on a move to Villa Park this summer, according to a report.

Villa eyeing new striker amid Watkins uncertainty

It is no surprise that Ollie Watkins continues to be linked with a move away from Villa, given that the striker has performed very well for Villa in each of his last five Premier League campaigns.

Season

PL appearances

Goals

Assists

2020-21

37

14

5

2021-22

35

11

2

2022-23

37

15

6

2023-24

37

19

15

2024-25

38

16

8

Arsenal are well-known to be admirers of the England international, but the Gunners are now closing in on the signing of Viktor Gyokeres, which could open the door for the centre-forward to join a different club, and he has now been identified as Manchester United’s top target.

Although United were once again way below par in the 2024-25 campaign, moving to Old Trafford clearly remains an attractive proposition, with Matheus Cunha joining the Red Devils this summer, so there is a possibility that Watkins could be tempted by a move.

Should the 29-year-old depart, it would exacerbate the need for Unai Emery to bring in a new striker this summer, and Aston Villa are now stepping up their pursuit of Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, according to a report from Football Insider.

Having recently opened talks with the Blues, the Villans have now made contact with Jackson’s entourage to assess whether he would be keen on making a move to Villa Park this summer, after an up-and-down year in west London.

Emery is known to be a big admirer of the Chelsea ace, and the Villa boss believes he has the potential to develop into one of the Premier League’s leading forwards.

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ByDominic Lund Jul 15, 2025 "Unbelievable" Jackson could be exciting signing for Villa

Emery knows the ex-Villarreal man very well, having spent time working with him at the La Liga club, and the manager clearly holds his former player in high regard, given his eagerness to bring him to Villa Park.

Trusting Emery has helped transform Aston Villa from a struggling side into European regulars, and there are signs the manager may also be correct about the Chelsea forward, given that he’s averaged over one goal contribution every other game in the Premier League.

Nicolas Jackson

Peter Crouch has also been left impressed by the Senegal international, lauding him as “unbelievable”, despite admitting the striker has been a little wasteful at times, having become well-known for missing a lot of chances.

That said, Emery clearly believes he can help turn Jackson into a top striker, so he could be a solid long-term signing for Villa, but a deal is unlikely to be cheap, with Chelsea thought to be holding out for a fee of around £60m.

Newcastle now ready to hijack Sunderland move to sign £43m "leader"

In what would welcome the Tyne-Wear derby back to the Premier League in style, Newcastle United are now reportedly ready to hijack Sunderland’s move to sign a Serie A star this summer.

Newcastle return for Elanga

They may have faced their fair share of rejection so far this summer, but Newcastle are yet to be discouraged in their pursuit to sign an attacking reinforcement. Not giving up, the Magpies have returned with a second offer to sign Anthony Elanga after Nottingham Forest rejected their first bid worth around £45m.

With Bryan Mbeumo seemingly on his way to Manchester United, it’s clear to see why Newcastle have turned towards Elanga. The Swede had his best season yet last time out as Forest achieved an unthinkable European place. Now, however, he could leave the City Ground behind in favour of the Magpies.

The winger isn’t the only one on Newcastle’s shopping list, either. Those at St James’ Park now look set to complete a deal to sign James Trafford from Burnley, welcoming a long-term target in the process.

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The England international will compete with Nick Pope and may even displace the shot-stopper to become Eddie Howe’s No.1 as the ultimate modern-day goalkeeper.

Deals for both Elanga and Trafford would represent a change in fortunes for Newcastle following earlier rejection from the likes of Joao Pedro and Mbeumo. And that swing in momentum could yet see them jump ahead of rivals Sunderland to sign an ex-Arsenal midfielder in the coming months.

Newcastle ready to sign Matteo Guendouzi

As reported by Corierre della Sera and relayed by Sport Witness, Newcastle are now ready to sign Matteo Guendouzi ahead of interest from Sunderland and meet his €50m (£43m) release clause at Lazio.

The Frenchman hasn’t been seen in the Premier League since leaving Arsenal in 2022, but could now return three years later as a far more complete player courtesy of spells at Marseille and now at Lazio.

Minutes

3,270

2,393

Tackles Won

21

35

Progressive Carries

89

40

Ball Recoveries

173

149

A player who Gary Neville once described as a “leader”, Guendouzi could push Joelinton all the way for a starting place at Newcastle and offer Howe the depth he has been craving in doing so.

As the Magpies step back into the Champions League next season, it’s the type of depth that Newcastle simply must add to their side this summer. It’s also depth that they failed to sign the last time they were in the Champions League, resulting in an early exit and a finish outside the Premier League’s top four.

Signing Guendouzi would go a long way towards solving that problem all whilst getting one over on Sunderland.

Levy submits Tottenham enquiry over deal for "explosive" £40m+ rising star

Tottenham Hotspur have now submitted an enquiry over a deal for an “explosive” star, who is expected to cost in excess of £40m this summer, according to a report.

Tottenham eye new midfielder amid doubts over Bentancur's future

While Tottenham secured Champions League qualification via their Europa League triumph, their Premier League performances in the 2024-25 campaign left a lot to be desired, and new manager Thomas Frank will be hoping to oversee a major turnaround.

During his first interview as Spurs boss, Frank singled out James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dominic Solanke as three players he is excited to work with, indicating the Dane is happy with the attacking midfield options at his disposal.

However, should Bentancur refuse to sign a new contract, the Uruguayan could be moved on this summer, with a move to Atletico Madrid deemed a possibility, meaning Frank may be tasked with bringing in a replacement.

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As such, according to a report from The Boot Room, Daniel Levy and Co could look to raid one of their Premier League rivals, having now submitted an enquiry over a deal for Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, who is expected to cost in excess of £40m this summer.

Elliott is ready to leave the Reds, given a lack of game time last season, and first-team opportunities are likely to be even more limited in the upcoming campaign, considering Florian Wirtz’s arrival from Bayer Leverkusen.

Liverpool's HarveyElliottcelebrates

There is widespread interest in the 22-year-old, however, which could pose a problem for Spurs, with nearly half the Premier League submitting enquiries of their own, while Jurgen Klopp is also looking to take his former player to RB Leipzig.

"Explosive" Elliott leads England U21s to glory in Slovakia

England U21s secured a second consecutive European Championships title with a 3-2 victory over Germany on Saturday, and manager Lee Carsley has the Liverpool midfielder to thank, given that he played a major role in the triumph.

The 22-year-old picked up the Player of the Tournament award, courtesy of scoring five goals en-route to glory in Slovakia, while he has also impressed Arne Slot in the past, with the Dutchman saying: “He’s so explosive with the way that he moves and with his end product. We are very lucky to have him.”

Not only that, but the former Fulham man places ranks in the top 1% for non-penalty goals per 90 by players in his position over the past year, and the 86th percentile for assists, showcasing the attacking threat he poses.

Elliott is now at an age where he needs to be playing regular football, and his exploits for England U21s indicate he could flourish at Tottenham, so a fee of around £40m seems very reasonable.

Hoops bring in £56m: AI predicts 5 players Celtic will sell this summer

Celtic are preparing for the 2025/26 season after another successful year under Brendan Rodgers, with the Hoops lifting another Scottish Premiership title.

Their dominance in Scotland is showing no signs of slowing up, and something those at Parkhead have done well in recent years is making a number of shrewd signings.

They have also cashed in on a plethora of Celtic Park stars at the right times, making profits on the likes of Matt O’Riley, Kyogo Furuhashi and Jota, with the latter of the three since returning.

Matt O’Riley

Brighton

£25m

2024

Jota

Al-Ittihad

£25m

2023

Kieran Tierney

Arsenal

£25m

2019

Moussa Dembele

Lyon

£19.7m

2018

Odsonne Edouard

Crystal Palace

£14m

2021

But who could be in line to leave Celtic this summer? Grok, the AI tool on X, has predicted five players the Hoops will cash in on ahead of 25/26, and if they are correct, Celtic will receive more than £50m.

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ByCharlie Smith Jun 14, 2025 AI predicts 5 players Celtic will sell this summer 1 Reo Hatate (£25m)

The first player Grok has predicted to leave Parkhead is midfielder Reo Hatate, who they say has been a ‘standout performer’ for Celtic.

Signed for just under £1.5m in 2022, Hatate could generate a huge profit and has been backed to exit for up to £25m.

AI adds that Hatate’s ‘versatility, work rate, and technical ability make him a prime candidate for a big move’.

2 Cameron Carter-Vickers (£15m)

Centre-back Cameron Carter-Vickers has been heavily linked with a move away this summer, so it isn’t a shock that AI believes an exit could happen.

Purchased for an initial £6m from Tottenham back in 2022, Carter-Vickers has made Celtic Park his home following plenty of loan spells earlier in his career but is now wanted by multiple clubs in England.

Grok says that £15m could be enough for Celtic to sell, basing that off the club’s previous defensive sales, such as when Virgil van Dijk joined Southampton and Kristoffer Ajer moved to Brentford.

3 Daizen Maeda (£12m)

After Kyogo Furuhashi left Celtic at the beginning of 2025, Daizen Maeda featured in a more central role in the latter stages of the season and ended the campaign with 33 goals in all competitions.

As a result, the Japan international has been linked with a move to the Premier League as he enters the final two years of his current Parkhead contract.

It is stated that following Furuhashi’s exit, ‘Maeda could be next if Celtic look to refresh their attacking options’, with a £12m fee mooted.

4 Gustaf Lagerbielke (£3m)

After spending the 24/25 season on loan at FC Twente, Gustaf Lagerbielke is looking to leave Celtic this summer, so it’s no surprise that he is on AI’s list.

Games

10

Goals

1

Red cards

1

Minutes played

576

The Sweden international hasn’t lived up to expectations at Parkhead and is among several fringe players who ‘don’t fit into Rodgers’ long-term plans’.

If a permanent sale materialises, Grok feels a transfer could be worth up to £3m, around the fee they paid Elfsborg back in 2023.

5 Hyeok-kyu Kwon (£1m)

Celtic midfielder Hyeok-kyu Kwon.

Another player who looks surplus to requirements is midfielder Hyeok-kyu Kwon, who has had loan spells at Scottish Premiership sides St Mirren and Hibernian since moving to Celtic Park.

Yet to make a competitive appearance for the Hoops, the 24-year-old is still under contract until 2028, but the club are open to offers for Kwon.

Grok says a fee worth just £1m could be enough for Celtic to sell the midfielder.

Leeds now make approach to sign "true gladiator" who could replace Firpo

Leeds United have now made an approach to sign a “true gladiator”, who could replace Junior Firpo, according to reporter Ben Jacobs.

Leeds eyeing new defenders amid Firpo uncertainty

Firpo’s Elland Road future has been up in the air for quite some time, and the left-back is now looking increasingly likely to be heading for the exit door this summer, with Real Betis recently submitting a proposal to re-sign their former player.

The Dominican Republic international is out of contract at the end of this month, and Daniel Farke’s side have now started running the rule over potential replacements, with widespread reports suggesting Aston Villa left-back Alex Moreno is of interest.

With Firpo set to leave for nothing, however, there may be a desire to bring in a replacement on a free transfer, and Jacobs has now taken to X to reveal the Whites have now made contact over a deal to sign a new target.

Indeed, according to the GiveMeSport correspondent, Leeds have now made an approach for Atletico Madrid defender Reinildo, who is set to be available on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract after the upcoming Club World Cup.

Atletico Madrid'sReinildoMandava before the match

There may be competition for the left-back’s signature from within the Premier League, however, with Sunderland and Nottingham Forest making proposals of their own, while the defender also has “options” from Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

"True gladiator" Reinildo has experience at the highest level

The Mozambique international was a bit-part player for Atletico Madrid in the 2024-25 campaign, making 19 La Liga appearances and often being left on the bench, but he is experienced at the top level, having tested himself in the Champions League and Europa League.

Once lauded as a “true gladiator” by scout Jacek Kulig, the 31-year-old’s experience could be useful in helping Leeds avoid the drop next season, but there are some doubts over whether he would be an upgrade on Firpo.

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In fact, the 28-year-old has even outperformed Reinildo across some key metrics for defenders over the past year, despite being more well-known for his ability on the front foot, having picked up 14 goal contributions in the Championship last season.

Average per 90

Reinildo

Junior Firpo

Tackles

2.13

2.27

Clearances

2.82

3.51

Aerials won

0.89

2.10

As such, despite Reinildo’s top-level experience, the evidence doesn’t suggest that he would be a real upgrade on Firpo, and it may be worth Farke giving his current left-back a second chance to prove himself in the Premier League, should a move to Betis fail to materialise.

An Archie Gray repeat for Leeds: £10m ace now wants to leave Elland Road

Leeds United aren’t gripped with dread this summer that a whole host of their star players could be exiting Elland Road.

That was the overwhelming emotion last summer, however, after Daniel Farke’s Whites heartbreakingly lost the Championship playoff final to Southampton. Now, with a title success under their belt, the West Yorkshire giants don’t have that same level of worry to contend with.

Old wounds could soon be reopened by their emergence into the Premier League, though, as the likes of Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville potentially line up against their former employers next season for Brighton and Hove Albion and West Ham United respectively.

Crysencio Summerville for Leeds

Alongside that magic duo, ex-Thorp Arch product Archie Gray could also clash with Leeds, having also shone in glimpses for new side Tottenham Hotspur.

Gray's sad Leeds exit

Amazingly, the versatile 19-year-old has already collected silverware since donning Spurs white, memorably lifting the Europa League recently, which is some feat just one season into his North London adventure.

This would have been one key factor as to why he left his boyhood employers behind after just one mere season in the senior ranks, knowing he could cut it at an elite level already.

There was clearly a hunger to succeed up a level, whilst Farke and Co. were left to battle away again to try and finally get out of the unforgiving Championship.

RB

30

0

2

CM

10

0

0

DM

6

0

0

AM

3

0

0

Still, there is a lack of visible bad blood on Leeds’ end as Gray gave everything across the 2023/24 season for the cause, with the teenage sensation lining up wherever needed and impressing under Farke’s stewardship.

The Whites would have at least been glad to get £30m out of Ange Postecoglou’s men, but there will be a worry that Gray left prematurely, and he will soon become even more of a classy talent for the Lilywhites, away from Elland Road.

History could unfortunately repeat itself too if Leeds were to sell an equally exciting youngster who has shown flashes of his obvious quality during their promotion-winning heroics.

£10m attacker may never play for Leeds again

Whilst Farke was the boss to gift Gray his first tastes of senior action in West Yorkshire, the German might not be prepared to be as charitable up a division when handing equally promising starlets more chances.

That might be why Mateo Joseph is eyeing up the exit door this summer, with a new report from French outlet L’Equipe stating that Liam Rosenior’s RC Strasbourg are keen on adding the raw Spaniard to their camp if he does fancy an exit route out of England.

Journalist Graeme Bailey has also weighed in on the speculation surrounding Joseph by exclusively revealing he is considering his options and is now ready to bid farewell to the Whites, despite looking at home in a Leeds starting lineup on occasion, especially when he bagged this quickfire brace against Chelsea last year.

He also showed off his clinical edge in the Leeds first team last season when sparingly handed minutes by Farke, with a standout tally of three goals and three assists coming his way in league action, despite only being gifted 11 starts.

Much like Gray, this is undoubtedly an impressive season for an academy product who had only experienced youth football before this big leap under the ex-Norwich City boss.

But, with £10m bids reportedly coming Leeds’ way for Joseph’s services from the likes of La Liga outfit Real Betis, Leeds could soon cash in on another of their top youth players before they have fully blossomed.

These added funds might well boost Leeds if they are keen on adding in some star quality for the Premier League, yet in the long term, Joseph could go on to establish himself as a top attacker elsewhere in another regrettable Gray-style repeat.

Huge Aaronson upgrade: Leeds looking at signing £15m star on loan

Leeds United could now ditch Brenden Aaronson in favour of signing this loan star.

1 ByKelan Sarson Jun 2, 2025

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