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Arsenal have been in contact with Kai Havertz once again over the weekend and the German forward has reaffirmed his interest in making the move to north London.

How much is Kai Havertz worth?

This summer will present the Gunners with an opportunity to build on what proved to be a promising 2022/23 campaign in north London.

Mikel Arteta's men did not have enough firepower behind them to see their title charge over the line as Manchester City pipped them to the Premier League crown.

But the Spaniard – and the fans – will have a lot of positives to take from their displays in the 2022/23 campaign and provide them with a lot of optimism for the upcoming campaign.

However, having seen City land the treble in recent weeks, it will surely send a message to the board and Edu Gaspar that Arsenal may need to invest heavily if they are to dethrone the champions.

And it seems as if the Gunners are keen to do so this summer with links to the likes of Havertz who has reportedly been valued at around £75m by Chelsea.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the German has been in contact with Arsenal over the weekend where he was proclaimed his interest in a potential transfer:

"Kai Havertz has been very clear, also this morning [Sunday], in new contacts, he wants to join Arsenal.

"He has an agreement with Arsenal on personal terms, so everything is ready on player's side."

How many goals did Havertz score last season?

It was an underwhelming campaign for the Blues last season and Havertz is not a player who can be excused from their failings.

Despite playing the majority of the campaign as their centre-forward, Havertz was only able to provide the west London side with seven goals in the Premier League (via Transfermarkt).

Chelsea played the majority of the 2022/23 campaign without an out-and-out striker in their starting XI which can certainly be seen through their poor return in front of goal.

And it has to be questioned whether Havertz has actually done enough to earn himself a transfer to a side who challenged so strongly for the Premier League title.

The Gunners will be playing Champions League football next season and, in Chelsea's European games, Havertz was only able to return two goals in his 10 Champions League appearances last season (via Transfermarkt).

He has been hailed as a "magician" by some in the media and the potential opportunity at Arsenal could allow him to rediscover his form shown in the Bundesliga.

Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his defensive options.

What’s the latest on Theo Hernandez to Manchester United?

According to Italian news outlet Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the Red Devils are keen on making a move for Hernandez this summer, although the report claims any potential move will ‘only happen in the event of a sensational offer’ and in this regard, the Italian side are demanding at least €60m (£51m).

The Old Trafford side are said to be ‘pressing’ to sign the player as they want to ‘bridge the gap’ between them and Manchester City next season.

Could Theo Hernandez join Manchester United?

Ten Hag was able to call on both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia last season as the club qualified for the Champions League due to finishing third in the Premier League, with Shaw especially performing extremely well.

The Englishman ranked as United’s fourth best player for overall rating, third for big chances created and seventh for tackles made per game, suggesting he was influential at both ends of the pitch.

With Malacia, signed just last summer, also featuring 39 times in all competitions, do United need another left-back? Making a move for Hernandez however could spell bad news for the Dutchman ahead of next season.

Indeed, last term, the Frenchman registered more goal contributions (seven to zero), progressive passes (128 to 44), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.82 to 1.22) and progressive carries (108 to 19) than the United defender, clearly suggesting that he would be a far better attacking option at left-back than the former Ajax man.

Malacia does hold the upper hand defensively however, winning more tackles (33 to 24) and more interceptions (25 to 21), yet if Hernandez does move to Manchester, he could improve on these attributes.

Milan coach Stefano Pioli lavished praise on the defender back in 2021, saying: “He can play both phases very well, with his physical abilities it is enough to stay in the game. He can very well become one of the best.

“He has only been playing continuously for a year and a half, I always tell him that he must not be satisfied with being talented.

“He has an incredible physical strength and quality, he must prove that he wants to become the best every day."

The praise doesn’t stop there, as Jacek Kulig even lauded him as a “beast” previously and he even starred for France at the most recent World Cup, averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.3/10 across six matches for his country as they finished runners up to Argentina, indicating that he can perform on the biggest stage of all.

A move for Hernandez may push Malacia further down the pecking order, yet it would certainly strengthen the squad that’s for sure.

It’s fair to say that Frank Lampard’s time at Everton so far has been one of strife, with the club narrowly avoiding relegation thanks to a stunning 3-2 victory over Crystal Palace in their penultimate Premier League clash.

This isn’t a season that the Everton faithful will remember with any degree of satisfaction, and it should be confined to a locked box with the key thrown in the Mersey, with the manager facing a crucial summer transfer window ahead.

Poor recruitment might put an end to the 43-year-olds reign at the club, but there is time for him to bring in the players he needs and axe the ones that have underperformed.

One such player that should be leaving the club is Salomon Rondon. Last summer, the striker joined the club on a free transfer but hasn’t hit the heights required, netting just three times all season. Former Everton defender Michael Ball dubbed him as a “problem” earlier in the season and from his goalscoring stats, it’s clear to see why.

Lampard urgently needs to improve his attacking options, with Richarlison (11) being the club’s highest scorer this season.

There could be a solution however, with the club linked with New York City striker Valentin Castellanos, Lampard may have found a saviour to his attacking woes.

Ronny Deila hailed the Argentinian frontman as “top class” following a season in which he won the MLS golden boot with 22 goals, more than the other Everton strikers put together in the league.

Scoring goals isn’t his only strength either, as he provided eight assists during the MLS season as well as creating a further eight big chances for his teammates.

The player certainly looks like an upgrade on the £43k-per-week Rondon and despite the Venezuelan striker having another year left on his current contract, Lampard should be making a concrete effort to add Castellanos to his squad ahead of next season.

AND in other news, “Everton also..”: Reliable journo drops huge transfer claim, supporters surely buzzing…

Fabio Paratici is closing in on a deal to bring Alessandro Bastoni to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Corriere della Sera (via Sport Witness), who claim that, following Ivan Perisic’s move from Inter Milan to Spurs, there is now a good chance the 23-year-old defender follows the Croatia international to north London.

Further reports also claim that the Tottenham sporting director has sent unmistakable signals of intent to the Serie A side regarding a £54m deal for the Italy international, while Alasdair Gold recently revealed that Spurs “believe that they’ll be able to sort out wages and the fee for Bastoni” in the coming weeks.

“Heir to Jan Vertonghen”

Considering just how exciting a talent Bastoni undoubtedly is, in addition to it being reported that the signing of a new ball-playing left-footed centre-back is one of Antonio Conte’s priority targets in the summer transfer window, should Paratici go on to secure a deal for the Inter Milan starlet ahead of the club’s 2022/23 campaign it would certainly represent something of a huge coup for Spurs.

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Indeed, according to FBref data, the £60m-rated defender ranks in the top 15% of centre-backs in Europe’s big five leagues for pressures per 90, in addition to the top 14% for passes attempted, the top 25% for passes completed, the top 14% for progressive passes, the top 11% for progressive carries, the top 22% for dribbles completed and the top 3% for shot-creating actions over the last 365 days.

As such, it is easy to understand why Gold recently claimed that Spurs see the £122k-per-week talent as the “heir to Jan Vertonghen,” as the 23-year-old’s ability with the ball at his feet sees FBref rank him amongst some of the most prestigious ball-playing defenders in European football, such as Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano and Girondins de Bordeaux starlet Anel Ahmedhodzic.

However, with the Italian still appearing to have doubts as to whether this summer is the right time to make a move to the Premier League, it would seem as if Paratici still has a job on his hands to convince Bastoni that Tottenham is the right club for him – although, considering the centre-back’s ability, these efforts will be more than worth it if his transfer is eventually agreed.

AND in other news: Paratici can seal “complete” Spurs signing in £68m bid for Van Dijk’s worst nightmare

Manchester City are believed to be readying a bid for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, according to a report from 90min.

The Lowdown: Phillips profiled

As per the Whites’ official website, the 26-year-old is a product of the Elland Road youth system, working his way up through the ranks to make his first-team debut for the club back in 2015 and going in to make 234 appearances for Jesse Marsch’s side.

The maestro has become an integral feature of his hometown club’s starting XI over the years after helping them gain promotion to the Premier League in 2020. However, his impressive performances appear to have caught the eye of many top-flight rivals, with the champions among those looking to secure his signature.

The Latest: Man City preparing bid for Phillips

In an article published by 90min, it is claimed that City are now ‘readying a bid’ for Phillips after making ‘several enquiries’ about the Leeds midfielder.

The source stated that Etihad Stadium scouts have been ‘hugely impressed’ with their target’s progress since the Whites’ promotion two years ago, with Pep Guardiola making his admiration for the 19-cap England international ‘clear’.

It’s reported that City are currently ‘conducting background checks’ to decide whether or not they fully believe the 26-year-old be a good fit in the dressing room ahead of an ‘opening bid’.

Phillips has insisted that he would be ‘happy to stay’ in Yorkshire, but the source suggests that a move to the Etihad ‘does appeal’ to him.

The Verdict: Ideal Fernandinho replacement

With it being confirmed that Fernandinho will be leaving City this summer, the club need to find a suitable replacement for the Brazil veteran in the middle of the park, and the £45m-rated Leeds talisman could well be the perfect candidate.

Despite only playing 23 times this season, mainly due to a long-term hamstring injury, Phillips has still been an absolute rock in the Whites’ midfield. He averaged 2.7 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per Premier League game (via WhoScored), demonstrating that he can be hugely effective at breaking up opposition attacks.

Leeds probably wouldn’t be able to match any offer from City if one is to materialise in the coming weeks.

Therefore, it may be a case of the Elland Road academy graduate – who was once dubbed an “exceptional” player by former Leeds and Man City defender Danny Mills – having to decide whether to commit his future to his boyhood club or make the switch to the Etihad, where he could go on to achieve big things at the highest level in years to come.

In other news… this Manchester City first-team maestro could be set for a surprise exit over the summer

Glasgow Rangers are reportedly now eyeing up a move to bring Ross Stewart to Ibrox this summer.

The Lowdown: Great season

Stewart has come off the back of a great season with Sunderland, helping them win promotion from League One up to the Championship.

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He scored no fewer than 26 goals in total over all competitions, double the next best at the club in Everton loanee Nathan Broadhead with 13 (Transfermarkt), and has potentially now earned himself a big move away from the Stadium of Light.

The Latest: Rangers interest

According to the print edition of The Daily Mirror (via The Sunderland Echo), the Teddy Bears are one of four clubs that are now eyeing a move for Stewart, with Middlesbrough, QPR and Sheffield United also thought to be in the hunt.

However, the Black Cats would like to tie him down to a lucrative new deal that would make him their best-paid player.

The Verdict: Sign

Given the size of the clubs, and their recent exploits in getting to the UEFA Europa League final, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team should have enough pull to lure Stewart in.

He has Loch Ness Drogba‘ in likening to the Chelsea and Premier League legend.

At six-foot-two, Stewart would cause problems for any defence in the division, and as SAFC podcaster Philip West puts it, he is a real ‘menace‘.

Nonetheless, the striker is only 25 years of age, and so the summer presents the perfect time for the Light Blues to snap him up right in his prime.

In other news, find out which ‘special’ talent Gers are now ‘interested’ in here!

Sheffield Wednesday youngster Ryan Galvin can emerge as a key player for the Owls next season, according to reliable journalist Dom Howson.

The Lowdown: Playoff disappointment for Owls

Darren Moore’s side will be playing League One football again next season, following their playoff semi-final elimination at the hands of Sunderland.

It was disappointing not to seal immediate promotion back to the Championship and it could be that wholesale changes are made during the summer transfer window.

Galvin was loaned out to Gloucester City between last summer and January and he has made two first-team appearances for Wednesday, both of which came in the FA Cup in 2020/21.

The Latest: Galvin backed to shine

Speaking in a Q&A for The Yorkshire Examiner on Friday, Howson tipped Galvin to make the grade at Hillsborough, shining in a 3-5-2 system:

“I am a big fan of Ryan Galvin. I think he is a very talented player and Wednesday don’t have an abundance of left-sided players on their books.”Should Moore stick with the 3-5-2 system, Galvin is tailor-made for the wing back role. He needs to come back in pre-season and prove to Moore he deserves to be part of his long-term plans. It feels like it is now or never for Galvin in his Wednesday career.”

The Verdict: One for the future

It is important that Wednesday eventually move on from the likes of Barry Bannan, Sam Hutchinson and Liam Palmer, all of whom have been wonderful servants but are now in their 30s, with long-term planning key.

Galvin is someone who should be viewed as both one for the future and also a player who could make an impact from next season, having been hailed as ‘stunning’ by the fans in the past.

The youngster could come in as an understudy to Marvin Johnson at left wing-back, proving to be a handy squad player and becoming a regular over time.

In other news, a Sheffield Wednesday transfer claim has emerged. Read more here.

Leeds United have been dealt a potentially huge injury boost ahead of their Premier League meeting with Brentford this Sunday.

What’s the latest?

That’s according to injury analyst Ben Dinnery, who has revealed that Patrick Bamford, who has not featured for Leeds since picking up a foot injury back in March, has a 50% chance of making a return to first-team football in the Whites’ crucial final day trip to west London this weekend.

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Speaking ahead of Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion last Sunday, Jesse Marsch said of the centre-forward’s current condition: “Patrick is a little too early to tell, we’ll evaluate that over the next few days.”

Supporters will be buzzing

While it is true that, even if Bamford is deemed fit enough to feature against Brentford this weekend, the 28-year-old will be nowhere near full match fitness, the suggestion that there is a chance the England international will be able to play some sort of role against the Bees is sure to have left the Elland Road faithful buzzing.

Indeed, the £18m-rated striker has already proven this season that, even without having kicked a ball for a matter of months previously, he can make a game-changing impact for the Whites, with the £74k-per-week hitman scoring a last-minute equaliser upon his return from an ankle injury against – as fate would have it – Brentford back in December.

As such, if there is indeed a 50% chance of Bamford making the trip to London this weekend, Marsch simply must risk including the 28-year-old in his 20-man matchday squad, as the forward having a similar impact to his last outing against the Bees could well prove to be the difference between Leeds playing Premier League or Championship football next season.

AND in other news: Made contact last year, now worth £31.5m: Victor Orta’s shocker could cost Leeds £120m

Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has been dealt a crushing blow over the future of Ibrox winger Ryan Kent…

What’s the talk?

Transfer insider Dean Jones has claimed that the attacker wants to secure a move south of the border with teams from England eyeing him up.

The Gers are set to offer him fresh terms in an attempt to keep him at the club and Jones believes that it will be a futile effort.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I’m told Ryan Kent will still look to leave this summer as he wants to play in the Premier League. Rangers are ready to make him a new contract offer, but it sounds like he fancies a move, and he knows clubs like Leeds and Everton are keen”

Ibrox faithful will be gutted

This claim will surely leave the Ibrox faithful gutted as losing Kent would be a huge blow to the club heading into the 2022/23 campaign.

It is a difficult situation for Ross Wilson to be in as the player’s contract expires in the summer of 2023. This means that the upcoming window is the best chance to cash in on him before his value plummets.

He will be available to foreign teams on a pre-contract in January 2023 and will become a free agent later that year, which means that this summer could be the perfect time to sell Kent if he is unwilling to put pen to paper on a new deal.

The financial benefits of a transfer will not take away from the disappointment of a departure for Kent. He has produced three goals and 19 assists in all competitions this season, including 11 assists in 24 outings in the Premiership.

These statistics show that he has been a difference-maker for Gio van Bronkhorst in the final third. He has regularly contributed to goals by showcasing his creativity from out wide, providing excellent crosses and using his trickery to win penalties off the opposition.

This is why the supporters will be deflated by the prospect of Kent wanting to leave the club and will surely be frustrated by his decision.

Although, the fans may forgive the attacker for seeking a transfer if he ends his Gers career on a high by scoring the winner against Frankfurt in Sevilla. Winning a major European final would be some way to bow out at Ibrox and give him enough goodwill for the move to avoid major criticism from the fanbase.

AND in other news, Fewer touches than McLaughlin: Rangers dud with 0 duels won was a passenger on Sunday…

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has been assessing the potential financial implications should Glasgow Rangers go on to win the Europa League this season. 

The lowdown: Seville calling

The Teddy Bears have been on a wild ride to book their place in the final on 18 May in Seville.

They will take on Eintracht Frankfurt, the conquerors of Premier League outfit West Ham, in the showpiece, having already overcome two Bundesliga clubs in Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig to reach the decider in the south of Spain.

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However, victory in Seville would mean more than just a first major European honour in 50 years for the club…

The latest: Major financial opportunity for Rangers

Speaking to Football Insider, Maguire – a regular contributor for Sky Sports – has explained how the Europa League winners would be set to receive a huge influx of additional funds.

The finance expert said: “You get £1.5m for participating in the Super Cup, which they will do if they win the trophy.

“You will also get bonuses from sponsors. So that might take you to £6m or £7m. These figures are all significant.

“You then get an extra £30m from being in the Champions League next season, so overall we’re talking about a £40m football match.”

The verdict: Added importance

Whilst the players and indeed Van Bronckhorst will be fully focused on the task in hand from an on-field perspective, the Ibrox hierarchy will no doubt have one eye on the potential windfall should the Gers be successful in Seville.

Any incoming funds will be of particular importance this summer, as Old Firm rivals Celtic are set to lift the Premiership title, and in turn book their own spot in next season’s Champions League with all the associated benefits.

While there is no need for wholesale squad changes at Rangers, new signings will likely be necessary, and an additional £40m in the club’s coffers would undoubtedly be a huge boost to the summer budget.

In other news, some in the media raved about this Rangers starsin victory over Dundee United. Find out who here.