This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
According to the Daily Mail, Wolverhampton Wanderers are taking a close look at Royal Antwerp right-back Aurelio Buta ahead of a potential £5m January move.
And it could spell bad things for Wolves regular Matt Doherty.
What’s the word?
Reports suggest the 22-year-old is being watched by two Premier League clubs with Watford being the other.
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It is believed that Nuno Santo is keen to bolster his defence as they continue to try and balance European exploits with continued domestic success.
The Mail claims Buta is noted for his ‘pace’ and his ability to push forward and provide crosses, which makes him seem like an ideal candidate to play at wing-back under the Portuguese boss.
He is also a Portugal U20 international and was once on the books of Benfica, so given Wolves’ history with the country, he could well be a plausible target.
Doc departure?
If the reports are indeed accurate, then it surely means that Doherty’s time is running thin on the ground at Molineux.
The 27-year-old has been at the club for nearly a decade now, but his performances this season have been blighted by injuries and inconsistencies, which is potentially why Nuno is looking for additions on the right-hand side of the defence.
At the start of the campaign, Adama Traore was utilised in the role, but in recent games, his more natural forward position has paid dividends with the Spaniard scoring a brace against Premier League champions Manchester City.
Doherty’s performances are down from last year as he is recording fewer tackles, interceptions, and clearances, per WhoScored.
While he is yet to even register a single cross in nine top-flight appearances, which is something that Buta would provide the team with, as mentioned in the above report.
It would be a sad end to a player who has featured 266 times in the old gold – but ultimately, Wolves are a different animal these days, having tasted European competition for the first time in over 40 years.
Having already crowned him Man of the Match on Saturday, Liverpool fans on Twitter have been lavishing even more praise upon Sadio Mane after a picture emerged showing him being kicked in the head while scoring the winning goal against Aston Villa.
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The winger nodded home from a corner late on to rescue all three points for Liverpool this weekend, but a picture emerged after the game showing that it was more than just your bog-standard header.
Indeed, Mane put his body on the line to score the late goal for his team as he was kicked in the face just moments after connecting with the ball.
While we’re sure that the kick was rather painful, Mane wouldn’t have minded as the three points will be worth so much more to him.
This is exactly the type of thing that a team needs if they’re going to become champions of England, and with the Reds five points clear at the top of the table, they’re in a good place to go on and win their first Premier League title.
Here’s what the Anfield faithful have been saying on Twitter…
Despite a frustrating transfer window that has left several gaps in the Newcastle United first team, Eddie Howe will be delighted with his side's start to the Premier League season.
A draw against Bournemouth on the south coast is sandwiched between St. James' Park victories over Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, taking seven points from a possible nine into the September international break.
Newcastle failed in their bid to sign top target Marc Guehi, with Crystal Palace standing firm in their resolve to keep the centre-back. Lloyd Kelly was brought in to shore up the backline but more is needed, it is felt. Despite this, captain Kieran Trippier could soon leave, despite the transfer window having slammed shut.
Why Trippier is set to leave Newcastle
According to Sky Sports, Newcastle could part ways with Trippier this month since the 33-year-old has lost his place in the starting line-up to rising star Tino Livramento – who shone in the 2-1 win over Spurs.
Valentino Livramento
While the majority of European transfer streams have closed off, the Turkish Super Lig is still open for business, and Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Eyupspor have all made enquiries.
Trippier is in the penultimate year of his £120k-per-week contract, placing him among the Toon's highest earners. This is not justifiable given his stark decline last year, making three fatal errors across his 28 Premier League appearances.
Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier.
Though he's still one of the most creative right-backs in the business, the former England international is not the complete package anymore, and given that he wishes to play regular football from the outset, it's probable that he will move on soon.
Should that occur, Newcastle may well regret not signing a new right-back. Emil Krafth has been called to the centre with Fabian Schar suspended and Sven Botman recovering from an ACL injury that has ruled him out for the rest of 2024.
Michael Kayode was linked with a move to Tyneside, and perhaps Howe wishes his side took the leap and snapped the talent up.
Newcastle must rue not signing Trippier replacement
Trippier is 34 in two weeks, and though he's led a storied career and been a stalwart for Newcastle, he was noticeably on the decline last season and has now been replaced by Livramento.
He would be an excellent back-up, but Newcastle should have moved to sign Kayode from Fiorentina. As per Corriere dello Sport back in July – via Sport Witness – Newcastle were the latest of a long line of English clubs to take an interest in the 20-year-old.
Having enjoyed an exemplary breakout campaign on the senior stage, he had been tagged at €30m (£25m) by La Viola, but no outfit met the demands and he has stayed put to continue his development.
Matches (starts)
26 (22)
Goals & assists
2
Clean sheets
6
Pass completion
87%
Key passes*
0.6
Ball recoveries*
4.0
Tackles*
2.0
Clearances*
1.5
Dribbles*
0.8 (51%)
Ground duels won*
3.6 (63%)
Hailed as a "duel monster" by data analyst Ben Mattinson, Kayode is actually considered to be a similar-styled player as Livramento, as per FBref, with a steely defensive game and a technical sharpness that would play to the strengths of a team like Newcastle, seeking fluency and forward movements.
With physical strength and high-level athleticism blending with a defensive aptitude that suggests he would survive the test of the Premier League, and perhaps even thrive, Kayode could be a real superstar.
The Italian looks like he's only got better over the summer too, having made his seasonal introduction off the bench against Parma and dazzled. He was only on the field for 17 minutes, but the barrelling star won all five of his duels and completed each of his three dribbles.
There's so much to like, and given his quality, it seems likely that one top suitor or another will snap him up before too long. Might Newcastle rue their decision not to act down the line?
Newcastle must regret selling £13m star who's now worth more than Tonali
The Magpies sold a player in 2018 who is now at another Premier League club
Liverpool have the sweet smell of victory in their nose, having closed the first chapter of the 2024/25 campaign with a perfect Premier League record under new boss Arne Slot, the latest of which was a 3-0 win over arch-rivals Manchester United.
Yes, yes, Slot inherited a first-class squad from Jurgen Klopp, but the seamless switch to a more controlled and cultured style of football has been something to behold. Liverpool 2.0 is truly here, and the world is taking note.
There was plenty of noise around the Anfield side's lack of transfer activity this summer, only signing Federico Chiesa from Juventus for an initial £10m fee to complete a fearsome frontline, but Liverpool look a real unit, boasting first-class quality of different shapes and sizes across the park.
Federico Chiesa for Juventus
There are six established options for the three attacking spots in the starting line-up, but so far, Slot has yet to make any changes. Diogo Jota has enjoyed a goal and an assist across the three victories, but he wasn't at his best at Old Trafford and might be the first to relinquish his spot.
Diogo Jota's performance vs Man Utd
Jota is one of Liverpool's best goalscorers, one of their most reliable ball-strikers, but he isn't undroppable, and his display at the Theatre of Dreams underscored that strength in depth and ability to rotate such a talent out.
As you can see above, it was not the Portuguese's most efficient evening, failing with all five of his attempted dribbles and losing each of his ten ground duels. What's more, the "deadly" forward, as he has been described by analyst Raj Chohan, took fewer touches than his goalkeeper, with Alisson taking 42.
The 27-year-old was actually handed a 7/10 match rating by The Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle, who acknowledged that he 'did a lot of running and chasing down to little personal reward, although vital for the team.'
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota
Statistics often paint a colourless picture in a footballing landscape, and Jota was indeed an engine of sorts, causing all sorts of problems and keeping the hosts guessing, allowing Ryan Gravenberch to thrust forward into space and allowing the likes of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz to wreak mayhem down the wings.
But the Portugal international shouldn't start at no. 9 across each of the 38 Premier League matchweeks, even if he does maintain a high level of fitness. Cody Gakpo, for one, is desperate to earn his first shot from the outset under Slot's leadership.
Why Cody Gakpo deserves to start
Of course, if Jota could have his way, he would start every week, for any footballer worth their salt targets a starring role above all of their peers.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota
But it's not up to him, and a poor injury record across almost every campaign as a Redman will see his workload tempered. Slot, moreover, demonstrated on his debut against Ipswich Town a ruthless streak, hooking Jarell Quansah at half-time – with Champions League and Carabao Cup commitments on the horizon, it's time for some rotation.
Gakpo, Slot's Dutch countryman, returned to Merseyside off the back of some excellent form at Euro 2024, scoring three goals and claiming an assist over five matches and was hailed as "maybe the most important player" for Oranje by his manager, Ronald Koeman. Lest we forget, this is a team containing the steel and security of Virgil van Dijk.
Hailed for his "special skill set" by Klopp's former assistant manager Pep Lijnders, Gakpo will be desperate to earn a role of significance this season, though he has been consigned to three cameos totalling 53 minutes across the opening fixtures of the campaign.
A sharpshooter and a dynamic presence, Gakpo was ostensibly purchased in January 2023 to replace Roberto Firmino, who concluded his iconic Liverpool career that coming summer.
Former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino
As per FBref, the Netherlands star ranks among the top 6% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 10% for passes attempted, the top 7% for progressive passes and the top 11% for successful take-ons per 90, so it's clear to see his skillset aligns – to a degree – with that of the silky-smooth Brazilian.
From a more simplistic outlook, you can see that Gakpo has actually produced a promising level of prolificness across his opening seasons at the club, scoring 23 goals and claiming nine assists across just 43 starting roles.
Liverpool player Cody Gakpo
However, Gakpo's not the only one hoping to earn their first start. Indeed, the mercurial Darwin Nunez has only made two fleeting appearances so far, totalling little over half an hour of action.
Why Darwin Nunez deserves to start
Liverpool signed Nunez from SL Benfica in 2022 for a £64m initial figure that could rise to a club-record £85m fee. Football supporters in general are divided on the Uruguayan's quality, but Liverpool fans hold a deep adoration for their maniacal talisman.
Last season, he scored 18 goals and added 13 assists across all competitions, despite only starting 33 matches. Nunez clearly has a superabundance of quality, and he could be perfect for Slot.
Take Jota's role at Old Trafford, for example. The marksman was clearly tasked with working hard to frustrate the hosts and keep them on their toes, allowing his peers to overlap and exploit wide areas, ergo creating an overload and wrench spaces in danger areas, evidenced perfectly by Diaz's opening goal.
Nunez can perform that role. He's fleet-footed and tireless, carrying an electric kind of energy that could be perfect. Moreover, he's been lauded by journalist Theo Squires as an “agent of chaos”, such is his knack to stir up mayhem.
Matches played
29 (19)
36 (22)
Goals
9
11
Assists
3
8
Big chances missed
20
27
Pass completion
67%
72%
Big chances created
11
11
Key passes*
1.0
0.9
Dribbles*
0.6 (49%)
0.4 (43%)
Duels won*
2.8 (38%)
2.4 (38%)
As you can see above, Nunez failed to make any significant gains in the Premier League last season, despite his impressive tally across all competitions. Now though, aged 25, he is surely ready to take the division by storm, perhaps finding the scope of his skillset unlocked by a managerial change.
Therefore, Liverpool should drop Jota for the upcoming fixture against Nottingham Forest at Anfield. The Portuguese is a spectacular player but he's not the only sharp tool in Slot's kit, and Nunez and Gakpo are both ravenous to make their mark at this exciting start to the new era.
Forget Salah: Liverpool have a new hero in 9/10 star who "destroyed" United
Gary Neville had to praise this talent after Liverpool’s Old Trafford victory.
West Ham United completed the £27m transfer of Niclas Fullkrug this month, but technical director Tim Steidten is already considering signing a rival for the German.
Fullkrug, 31, is a proven goalscorer and has excelled with both Borussia Dortmund and the German national team in recent years, but West Ham have a bleak record when it comes to centre-forward signings and Michail Antonio's twilit age seems to have called for further depth.
Having spent lucratively this summer, the Hammers have a strong squad, but dependent on outgoings, more than one deal could still be struck.
West Ham set for a frenzied finish
Julen Lopetegui has been backed to the hilt this summer, but with James Ward-Prowse mooted for an exit alongside struggling striker Danny Ings, a creative midfielder is being eyed to supply Fullkrug and a possible positional peer at No. 9.
Danny Ings for West Ham
According to Fabrizio Romano, West Ham are interested in signing Carlos Soler, with the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder available if his £20m price tag is met.
Soler, aged 27, has a potent attacking edge to his game and would be perfect to ensure the success of Fullkrug. On that note, he could also be the dream addition for Tammy Abraham, who is also on the Irons' radar.
Why West Ham should sign Tammy Abraham
According to Football Insider – as reported over the weekend – the English centre-forward is on West Ham's list and could be signed before next week's deadline, having been made available for €25m (£21m).
For Abraham, the 2023/24 campaign was met with despair. Injury struck on the final game of the previous term and he was ruled out for an extended period, having ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament.
AS Roma striker Tammy Abraham
Resultingly, the AS Roma striker only started two Serie A matches, scoring once and assisting once more. Following the club's €38m (£32m) deal for Artem Dovbyk, it might be time for the 11-cap England international to move on.
He's proven himself as a top-class finisher for Roma and Chelsea (as well as Aston Villa and Bristol City in the Championship) while winning the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup with the Blues and playing a talismanic part in winning the Conference League for his current club.
AS Roma
119 (86)
37
13
Chelsea
82 (51)
30
10
Bristol City
48 (42)
26
4
Aston Villa
40 (40)
26
3
Swansea City
39 (21)
8
4
To put it another way, Abraham has the skills and the pedigree to make a real impact at West Ham, having been praised as a "goal machine" in the past by former coach Stephen Elliott and been predicted to become "one of the best strikers in the world" by Roma skipper Lorenzo Pellegrini after his arrival, scoring 27 goals across the 2021/22 campaign alone.
Moreover, he could be deadly with the likes of Lucas Paqueta and fellow target Soler threading passes through to him.
Soler might not be the most priceless of gems at PSG but he's a talented player with good technique, ranking among the top 12% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 19% for assists and the top 18% for passes attempted per 90, as per FBref.
His ball-playing skill will indeed be perfect for Abraham, whose athletic ability and pace allow him to dart through the lines, creating a new dimension to the West Ham attack that would keep opponents guessing.
To flip that, Abraham also averaged one key pass per game across his opening two top-flight terms in Italy, thus showcasing a creative side to his game that could allow Soler's own goalscoring ability to flower.
Should Steidten prove himself once again and move the cards to ensure the signings of these two players, West Ham could be in for a fruitful season indeed.
West Ham can land instant Summerville competition with £25m signing
Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou has personally held talks with the representatives of Leicester City star James Maddison, according to reports.
Who will Spurs sign this summer?
Maddison is being pushed as a top target for Spurs by sections of the press with some sources even suggesting that the 26-year-old was at the centre of a double bid last week.
The Lilywhites were said to have lodged an offer for both Maddison and his teammate, Harvey Barnes, worth in excess of £50 million which was swiftly rejected by Leicester.
Sky Sports rebuffed this claim, stating while Spurs had a serious interest in both, no formal proposal of any kind had gone in for the duo.
As well as the Foxes playmaker, it is believed that Tottenham are targeting a new goalkeeper, central defender and possible forward additions.
David Raya of Brentford is wanted to replace Hugo Lloris, meanwhile the likes of Man City defender Aymeric Laporte have been tipped with potential moves to Spurs.
Galasary forward Nicolo Zaniolo has emerged as a target in recent days, too, with Postecoglou seemingly looking to strengthen in various areas of the pitch.
Going back to Maddison, a report by Football Transfers has shared some interesting news on Tottenham's chase for the England international.
Leicester City midfielder James Maddison.
According to their information, Postecoglou has personally held talks with Maddison's agents recently, and he is thought to have made a really good impression on them,
This has apparently helped to sway Maddison more towards Tottenham than Premier League rivals Newcastle, and the former Norwich City star may be tempted to join.
Despite this, Maddison is yet to have any personal contact with Spurs, but Postecoglou coming across well to the player's camp could be crucial.
How many goals did Maddison score last season?
Maddison starred for Leicester over the course of 2022/2023, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists in the league alone, totalling an impressive 19 attacking contributions (WhoScored).
The Three Lions ace also attempted more shots at goal per 90, completing more key passes and registered their joint-highest rate of successful take-ons in the top flight (WhoScored).
These numbers make one thing crystal clear – he is far too good for the Championship.
Whether it is Newcastle or Spurs, either side may be on to seal a very potent and capable attacking threat in the final third.
Former West Ham and Leicester City star David Connolly has also called Maddison "absolutely magnificent" for his form at the King Power.
Leeds United have "opened talks" with now former Norwich City sporting director Stuart Webber over a move to Elland Road, according to a new report.
Who is Stuart Webber?
The 39-year-old has been a highly thought of figure at Carrow Road for some time now, having joined as sporting director back in 2017, despite only being in his early 30s at that point.
Webber has previously enjoyed roles at the likes of Liverpool, QPR, Wolves and Huddersfield Town, working his way up in the game and enhancing his reputation, with former Norwich boss Daniel Farke once saying he "can't ask" for a better sporting director. However, it has been announced this morning that he will leave the club this summer.
With Leeds on the lookout for a new man in that job, following Victor Orta's exit and 49ers Enterprises' subsequent takeover at Elland Road, it looks as though they have eyes on the soon to be free agent.
Elland Road
Are Leeds looking to bring in Webber?
According to Football Insider, the Whites have "opened talks" with Webber over a summer move to the club, seeing him as an ideal figure to come in and fill the vacant sporting director position.
The report claims that the "recently relegated Yorkshire giants have turned their attention to hiring the recruitment expert from the team who will be their Championship rivals next season", as they look to gain an immediate advantage over those they will be battling with for Championship promotion.
Interestingly, it is stated that he is a "United fan", which could certainly work in Leeds' favour, with Webber potentially dreaming of having some sort of involvement with his boyhood team throughout his life.
This could be such an exciting appointment if Leeds manage to acquire Webber's signature in the near future, at a time when the job of a sporting director is seen as so vital. He could immediately make the Whites strong in the transfer market, identifying the right players, and while Orta had his plus points, the Englishman could come in as a more stable and less volatile figure who allows things to run smoothly behind the scenes.
Should Farke end up becoming Leeds' new boss, as has been mooted in recent days, Webber could be an even more perfect appointment, with their relationship at Norwich clearly strong, as mentioned, allowing the Whites to have a manager and sporting director who are both on exactly the same wavelength.
This summer is so important at Elland Road, with a quick return to the Premier League needed, and bringing in Webber would be a great place to start.
Burnley will return to the Premier League in August with a completely different playing style, having been transformed in their first year under head coach Vincent Kompany.
Rather than grind it out in the top tier next season, it seems as though Kompany intends to double down by bringing in a high-profile name who is well-known for his passing ability.
That is according to Foot Mercato, who suggest Paris Saint-Germain central midfielder Fabian Ruiz is considered a priority target for the Clarets this summer.
What is the latest with Fabian Ruiz's PSG future?
Ruiz truly made a name for himself across four seasons with Napoli, where he racked up more than 160 appearances, prior to making a €21.5m (£18.5m) switch to PSG in August last year.
The Spain international has been used regularly this season, featuring 37 times in all competitions – 25 of those starts – as the Parisians reclaimed their Ligue 1 crown but fell disappointingly short of success in the Coupe de France and Champions League.
On the back of what was ultimately a poor campaign for PSG, it has been reported that a number of players will be moved on this summer, with Ruiz one of those that is most at risk of being sold, with Burnley reportedly lurking amid a surprise switch.
Ruiz will unlikely struggle for suitors if he is indeed no longer wanted in the French capital, with former Barcelona boss Quique Setien summing it up nicely when describing the Spaniard – who he worked with at Real Betis – as a "spectacular" player who is "tremendously humble".
Can Fabian Ruiz succeed in the Premier League?
Burnley supporters will be hoping that Ruiz is humble enough to take what has to be considered a backward step in his career by swapping the Parc des Princes for Turf Moor.
After all, this is a player previously described as a "football artist" by talent scout Jacek Kulig after the 27-year-old starred for Napoli against Atalanta in October 2019.
For those unaware of Ruiz's playing style, FBref lists Manchester City's Rodri as sixth on the list of players most similar to the former Betis midfielder.
Ruiz's 98 passes completed per game on average, with a completion percentage of 91.3, ranks him in the top 2% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues this season in both metrics.
Rodri Manchester City
Rodri, for comparison, has an identical pass completion percentage, while they also have an identical expected goals (xG) return of 0.13 per game, only highlighting further the similarities in their all-around games and positioning.
Four years into his Premier League career, it is fair to say Rodri has been a huge hit in English football. While Burnley may not have the riches of City, in Kompany they have a Pep Guardiola protégée and a manager who clearly knows exactly what he wants from his side.
It will likely take a club-record fee of around €30m (£26m) to land the silky midfielder, as per Football Observatory, but Ruiz may well be the difference-maker for a new-look Burnley if they are to make a successful leap from the Championship to the Premier League.
Juventus are interested in making a move for Leeds United youngster Wilfried Gnonto this summer, according to a fresh transfer update.
How has Gnonto fared at Leeds?
The 19-year-old joined the Whites during last summer's transfer window, coming in as an exciting young signing with a potentially massive future in the game.
While Leeds' season was generally an awful one, as they suffered relegation from the Premier League after three years in the division, Gnonto was arguably one of the few brights parks. The £20,000-a-week attacker's form wasn't necessarily great every week, but he still scored twice and registered four assists in the league, often looking like one of his side's most dangerous and unpredictable players.
Like so many current Whites players, however, the Italian will now be weighing up his future, with Championship football not something that is likely to appeal to him. It could even be that he leaves in the summer, with a new claim proving to be a worrying one, in that respect.
Leeds United forward Wilfried Gnonto.
Could Gnonto make quickfire Whites exit?
According to Gazzetta dello Sport [via Sport Witness], Juventus are keen on signing Gnonto before the start of next season, even though an official approach is yet to be made.
The report states that the Serie A giants were frustrated by Leeds' relegation, as it ended their hopes of Weston McKennie joining the Whites permanently, and therefore getting him off their wage bill. They are trying to use that negative as a positive, though, instead turning their attention and making contact with Gnonto.
The idea of Leeds losing the winger so soon after arriving is clearly concerning, considering he is already a 10-cap Italy international, while still being in his teens. He has been lauded as a "special" player by Michael Skubala, and had the Whites not gone down, he looked like he could be a key figure for a number of years to come.
It is hard to persuade any top-class footballer to stay put when the team gets relegated to the second tier, though, so it would be difficult to begrudge Gnonto a move away in the summer transfer window, especially if a club of Juventus' calibre come calling.
There is always the chance that the teenager could remain loyal, trying to help Leeds make a quick return to the Premier League, but the best that the Whites can realistically hope for now is to get good money for the youngster's signature.
Arsenal are eyeing a summer move for Leicester City's James Maddison, with the midfielder now set to leave, according to a report from The Mirror.
What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?
Arsenal have set their sights on strengthening their midfield this summer, and Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has now claimed that Declan Rice could join "immediately", despite Bayern Munich making a late push for the West Ham United star.
Rice could replace Granit Xhaka, who is expected to complete a move to Bayer Leverkusen soon, but the 24-year-old is not their only midfield target, as they have an interest in Chelsea's Mason Mount, as well as Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth outlines Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo as another option for the Gunners, while they are also keen on strengthening in more advanced areas, with Maddison emerging as a potential target.
According to a report from The Mirror, Arsenal are eyeing up a move for the Leicester City star, but they will face fierce competition for his signature, with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur also being named as potential suitors.
Given that he only has a year remaining on his contract, Leicester may be forced to sell the Englishman for around £40m, although they are hoping that a bidding war will drive his price up to around £50m.
The Foxes are set to lose the 26-year-old following their relegation from the Premier League, and the Emirates Stadium is a potential destination, but Arsenal's number one target is Rice.
Should Arsenal sign James Maddison?
Hailed as "wonderful" by members of the media, the attacking midfielder impressed in a very poor Leicester side during the 2022-23 campaign, picking up nine assists in the Premier League, the joint-seventh highest amount in the division.
Not only that, the England international also showed a keen eye for goal, scoring ten times in 30 league appearances, displaying his versatility by playing through the middle and on both wings.
Given that Mikel Arteta already has the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka at his disposal, it may be difficult for Maddison to force his way into the team, but his ability to play in multiple positions should mean that he is able to receive regular game time.
With Arsenal heading into the Champions League next season, it is vital that they have top-quality back-up options, and the £110k-per-week star's attacking threat and versatility means he could tick plenty of boxes in north London.