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Chelsea’s striker plans for the upcoming season are still an area that needs to be refined.

The Blues have already signed Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, who have impressed Mauricio Pochettino with their combinations in pre-season. But, the Argentine has admitted that he would be ‘open’ to signing another frontman.

"We are working hard to try to create this dynamic that will become natural and to share time together," he said about Nkunku and Jackson's relationship.

“Maybe we can add some different profile or different player who can help us, of course we are open.”

Due to Nkunku’s versatility and Jackson’s solitary year of experience in European football, there is space for Chelsea to add another reinforcement, which could come in the form of Dusan Vlahovic.

Are Chelsea signing Dusan Vlahovic?

According to Fabrizio Romano, the West Londoners are back in talks with Juventus through intermediaries for a swap deal.

Read the latest Chelsea transfer news HERE…

The reporter said: "Chelsea are now back in talks again with Juventus through intermediaries — swap deal between Romelu Lukaku & Dušan Vlahović has been discussed again. Chelsea will discuss Vlahović internally as this option has been rejected in July."

How good is Dusan Vlahovic?

Pochettino’s adherence to signing a striker with a ‘different profile’ is an interesting point and is something that could potentially be achieved in Vlahovic.

It is not the first time that this idea has come to fruition, as back in June, Ben Jacobs revealed to GIVEMESPORT that Chelsea were chasing a “traditional number nine.”

However, since this comment, the 2021 Champions League winners signed Jackson from Villarreal for £32m. The Senegalese has started impressively, with four-goal contributions in as many games during the pre-season tour of the United States.

But, he is likely to need support and with Lukaku’s Chelsea career way beyond the point of no return, Vlahovic’s potency could be highly useful for Pochettino.

Described as “extraordinary” by former Juventus midfielder Alessio Tacchinardi, the £44m-rated Serbian has netted 61 goals in 140 Serie A games.

A bullish, physical, and pacey forward, with a keen eye for goal, Vlahovic possess the youth and effervescence that emphatically trumps anything that Lukaku ever offered to Stamford Bridge.

The former Fiorentina marksman has been labelled as “lightning” by Micah Richards and the “strongest striker in the league” by Filip Kostic.

Meanwhile, the Belgian’s lack of mobility, willingness to run in behind and movement meant his Chelsea performances were painfully average.

It reached such dismal levels that in a match against Crystal Palace in February 2022, the striker managed just seven touches, the fewest in a single Premier League game for a player with 90+ minutes since this data has been available (2003/2004).

It was a shocking condemnation of his abysmal season back in England, which meant that Lukaku hasn’t played for the Blues in over a year.

Although Vlahovic has endured his quietest goal-scoring season since 2020, he still finished as Juventus’ top finisher with 14 goals and could be a useful asset for Pochettino, who will still be in the process of configuring his best Chelsea side.

The £215k-per-week titan would undoubtedly provide the new Chelsea boss with a different option and relieve the club from its disastrous marriage to Lukaku.

Former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a target of Aston Villa this summer according to a guest on Sky Sports.

The 29-year-old is available on a free transfer following the expiration of his Liverpool contract.

What position does Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain play?

The England international can play a number of positions across both the attack and midfield, which makes him an attractive proposition for any potential buyers.

According to Transfermarkt, across the player's 393-game career, he has played as a striker, a left-winger, a right-winger, an attacking midfielder, a central midfielder, a defensive midfielder, a left midfielder, a right midfielder, and even as a right back. That versatility shows that he has a strong and flexible skillset both with and without the ball.

The 'Ox' is also a very experienced player, having made almost 400 career appearances before the age of 30, with over 200 appearances in the Premier League and over 50 in the Champions League. During his career, the midfielder has scored 48 goals and assisted 56 across all competitions, en route to winning everything there is to win at a club level in football, including a Champions League and a Premier League with the Merseyside club.

His career has been tarnished by injury problems however, with the Englishman having missed 170 career games through injury, with the most devastating one being a ruptured cruciate ligament injury he suffered in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final in 2018 that left him sidelined for over 300 days and 43 matches. Following his return from that injury, the midfielder really struggled to nail down a starting spot in the Liverpool team for the next four years before ultimately departing this summer.

Jordan Henderson was full of praise for his former teammate in Liverpool's final matchday programme of last season, stating: "Ox is currently in the shape of his life and whoever gets him next has won the lottery. He's been fit and one of our standout players in training consistently for the past two seasons. Being honest, I'm buzzing for Ox but gutted he gets the chance to have a fresh start somewhere else. What I felt back on summer transfer deadline night in 2017 still applies now: the guy is dynamite. What a player."

According to reports, three Premier League sides are battling for the signature of the England international, with Villa joined by Brighton and Brentford in the race for his signature.

A guest on the Good Morning Transfers Sky Sports show revealed that the Englishman prefers to stay in England, and has already turned down lucrative offers from abroad: "We understand three Premier League clubs are interested in signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and we understand those clubs are Aston Villa, Brighton and Brentford, and it’s also understood that he’s had interest from the MLS, Turkey and of course Saudi Arabia.

So he left Liverpool at the end of last season, and we understand he has already turned down a few lucrative offers from teams abroad because his preferred option at this point is to stay in England."

Where will Oxlade-Chamberlain play for Aston Villa?

The signing of Oxlade-Chamberlain would be a fantastic utility signing by Unai Emery.

As stated earlier, the player's versatility is incredible, and he could be deployed in a number of positions and roles for the Villains next season either in midfield, on the wings and possibly even up front.

Villa have made a number of really strong additions this window, with the signings of Youri Tielemans on a free transfer and Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen for a club record transfer fee, and Oxlade-Chamberlain could come in and offer some real quality depth behind those two new signings, as well as to established members of the squad such as Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey. This quality depth will also be very important for the Midlands side next season as they embark on their first European campaign in over a decade in the Conference League, and the added stress of playing two games a week will mean that manager Emery will have to fall back on his depth options more often, and having a player with the experience and quality of the 'Ox' coming off the bench and into games when needed will be a massive help for the side.

It was recently confirmed that former Chelsea star Eden Hazard would leave Real Madrid after reaching an agreement to terminate his contract.

The winger joined Los Blancos for around £88.5m in 2019, but his four-year stay in Spain was blighted by injury, which meant he scored just seven times in all competitions.

Hazard will be more fondly remembered by Blues fans, where he established himself as one of the club’s greatest-ever players.

An intoxicating blend of skill and flair with scintillating levels of output, he won two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, and an FA Cup.

Unsurprisingly, due to the ridiculous level he regularly exhibited at Stamford Bridge, the Blues have been unable to replace him and have trailed various forwards to underwhelming effects.

Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Romelu Lukaku, Raheem Sterling, and Mykhalio Mudryk have all been added for sizeable fees, but none have got near to the frightening consistency that Hazard displayed on a weekly basis.

This season, due to the vast number of outgoings, new manager Mauricio Pochettino is back in the market for another attacker and the next name to tackle Hazard’s throne is Rayan Cherki.

What’s the latest on Rayan Cherki to Chelsea?

According to reputable journalist Dean Jones, Cherki is one of Chelsea’s main targets and the club is working hard to secure his signature.

Speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, he said:

“If we are to look at Chelsea’s transfer activity in terms of a creator then Rayan Cherki from Lyon is probably the one.

“Quite a bit of work has gone into it and really it’s just a case of whether they go for him now or in 2024.”

It's been revealed by ESPN that Lyon will request around €40m (£34m) for his services and due to excessive spending of the new Chelsea ownership, this modest fee is unlikely to be an issue.

Shades of Eden Hazard?

It has been a stirring breakout season for Cherki, in which he has ruthlessly excelled for Lyon. In 21 Ligue 1 starts, the 19-year-old has recorded ten goal contributions, which meant he was the youngster player with this figure.

Moreover, he was also the only Lyon player and under 23 to record more than 100 progressive passes and 100 progressive carries. These impressive statistics mean that Cherki ranks within the highest 5% in Europe’s top five leagues among his positional peers for both these metrics per 90.

Despite his extremely young age, only Lionel Messi (70) and Kylian Mbappe (55) registered more chance-creating carries in the French top-tier last term, which are dribbles of five-plus metres ending in a key pass/shot. His dribbling is one of his most dazzling attributes, as he sits in the best 3% for successful take-ons and shot-creating actions per 90.

Eurosport France’s Martin Mosnier has predicted a huge future for the star and said:

“Cherki is an exceptional dribbler, one of the first things one notices when watching him is that he appears to be ambipedal, as he can seemingly utilise both feet equally well.

“His strengths are as follows: key passes, dribbling and his ability to create something out of nothing.

“He could very well become a Premier League star like Eden Hazard.”

Hazard made the move from Ligue 1 to England when he moved from Lille to Chelsea back in 2012, and both players have scintillatingly similar profiles.

If Cherki continues on his current trajectory, he can become the talisman, comparably to the diminutive Belgian.

As the chaos at Chelsea unfolded last season, culminating in a bottom-half finish in the Premier League, Levi Colwill was enjoying life on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, helping Roberto de Zerbi’s side to an incredible Europa League finish, placing above the defender’s parent club in the process.Now back at Stamford Bridge, Colwill has attracted plenty of interest, with Brighton attempting, and quickly failing, to turn their loan move permanent as they saw a £30m bid rejected at the start of the summer, and Liverpool showing plenty of signs that they’d like to welcome the England U21 international to Anfield this summer.For instance, England U21 teammate Harvey Elliott has been quick to tease the transfer target, commenting on his recent Instagram post to say that they should talk, before deleting the comment.In truth whenever Colwill’s future is brought up, he has quickly shut it down, with the latest moment coming on his friend’s Instagram Live.

Levi Colwill shuts down talks over future

Appearing on the live stream – which was later circulated on Twitter – Colwill’s friend said: “Levi to Liverpool.”

The Chelsea man then bluntly responded with: “No football talk, man.”

So, it seems as though he is keen to keep his guard up for the time being, with it being anyone’s guess which team he’ll be playing for come the end of the transfer window.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea’s current position is that Colwill is not for sale this summer, and are looking to tie the defender down to a new contract.

Speaking about the reported Liverpool target, new Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino recently said: “I need to get a feel for him, I need to hear what he has in his mind, what he expects. Then, of course, it’s gonna be time for him to listen to what I expect from him.”

The new boss added: “He’s a Chelsea player and in the last few months at Brighton he was playing really well. He is one of our players and I need to talk with him when he arrives next week”.

According to Football London, Liverpool remain interested in Colwill, with plenty of twists and turns to potentially come in the current window.

What is Levi Colwill’s current market value?

After Brighton reportedly had their £40m bid rejected earlier in the window, it’s clear that Chelsea would be expecting a large fee for their defender if they were to sanction a deal this summer.

As per Transfermarkt, the 20-year-old is currently worth €30m (£17.05m), meaning that clubs would technically be overpaying this summer. That said, a young defender with the potential that Colwill has can be priceless in today’s market.

As of right now, Colwill’s current contract expires in the summer of 2025. And, whilst that gives him a couple of years at Chelsea, the Blues will be keen to avoid losing him for free when he’s just 22 years old, and likely to improve as he continues on his upward trajectory – having just won the U21 Euros with England.

The last thing they’ll want is another top-six side in the Premier League getting hold of the centre-back. They’ve already strengthened, Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City this summer with the departures of Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, and Mateo Kovacic. Now, they’ll surely need to avoid losing Colwill too.

In the summer of 2013, Arsenal managed to lure Real Madrid attacking midfielder Mesut Ozil to the Emirates as Arsene Wenger looked to build another team which could return to the top of the Premier League table.

Unfortunately for the Gunners, the recruitment of the German international couldn’t forge a title winning side, however, his imprint in the team showed the north Londoners could still sign players from clubs such as Madrid, and Ozil was still at the peak of his powers.

The club broke their transfer record by £27.4m to sign the attacking midfielder for a fee of around £42.4m and he went on to make over 250 appearances for the Emirates outfit during his seven seasons at the club, winning four FA Cups in that period.

The former Werder Bremen starlet registered 123 goal contributions during that time frame and became of the most productive attacking midfielders in the Premier League, although at times, the rest of the side couldn’t quite match his incredible ability.

It proved to be arguably Wenger’s last great signing at the club and with current manager Mikel Arteta looking to assert his own authority on the squad, could he follow the Frenchman by signing a player from Madrid who has an exceedingly bright future in the game? As midfielder, Aurelien Tchouameni has been linked with a stunning move to Arsenal this summer.

Could Arsenal sign Aurelien Tchouameni this summer?

With Declan Rice set to undergo a medical before being announced as an Arsenal player next week, along with the signing of Kai Havertz, Arteta is wasting no time in vastly improving his squad and the Frenchman could be the final piece of the jigsaw.

Having joined Madrid from AS Monaco last summer, Tchouameni enjoyed a solid if unspectacular maiden campaign in Spain, winning the Copa Del Rey, while also ranking first in the squad for tackles per game (1.9) and interceptions per game (1.5) as he showcased his defensively abilities in the heart of the midfield.

It isn’t just his defensive traits for which Arteta should be signing him for however, as he ranks in the top 1% across Europe’s big five leagues for pass completion percentage per 90 (92.9%) and also ranking in the top 10% for passes into the final third per 90 (6.88), suggesting that he aims to generate attacking opportunities as often as possible and this could be priceless for Arteta.

The £207k-per-week gem has previously been dubbed a “ball-recovering machine” by journalist Lucas Navarrete and this is evidenced by the fact he ranks in the top 7% alongside his peers on the continent for tackles and interceptions per 90 (4.59) and he could allow the likes of Havertz more freedom to flourish.

It would be a marquee signing to say the least and Arteta would certainly be following in Wenger’s footsteps by luring a talented midfielder with the world at his feet to London, however this time, Tchouameni – who has been lauded as "superb" by pundit Rio Ferdinand – would be joined by a host of other top class talents to the Emirates as the club aim for their first title in 20 years.

One reason Everton chairman Bill Kenwright may have survived the exodus of the clubs board of directors is that owner Farhad Moshiri cannot afford to buy the club shares off of the chairman, Paul Brown exclusively told FootballFanCast.

Kenwright first joined the Toffees as a director in 1989 and owns 1.3% of the Merseyside outfit.

What is the latest between Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright?

Everton recently announced the departures of a number of directors and their replacements, in a move that has been brewing for a long time in response to the numerous fan protests throughout the season regarding their mismanagement of the club.

It was expected that Kenwright would be stepping down from his role at the same time as the three other departures, however, following talks with Moshiri, the 77-year-old was convinced to stay on in order to help the club through the "transitional period" they are undergoing.

The news was met with anger and disappointment by many Everton fan groups, who have been calling for the removal of "the most unsuccessful chairman in our history" since January 2023. The #AllTogetherNow group released a statement, stating: “We call for the immediate removal of the chairman of this football club – who has been the most unsuccessful chairman in our history. For the football club to move forward, and fans to unite, this without doubt has to happen.

The protests will not cease and will only further intensify if you [Moshiri] allow ‘Chairman Bill’ to stumble on, continuing to fail in his position, despite clear evidence for a need for change. We ask you to respond without delay to this loyal fanbase, do not cause any further unnecessary hold up to a deadline that the football club’s leadership team set out.”

However, Paul Brown has revealed that there may be another reason behind why Kenwright was kept in his role at the club.

What has Paul Brown said regarding the Everton board situation?

Speaking to FootballFanCast, Brown revealed that Moshiri isn't currently in a positon to go through with the deal he has agreed with Kenwright to buy the chairmans shares.

The journalist said: "The problem is this agreement that the pair have for Moshiri to buy Kenwright's shares. There are two issues there. I don't think Moshiri is currently in a position to be increasing his own shareholding at Everton and I think he may not quite simply have the cash to do that the cash available to do that."

How can Moshiri solve this problem?

Kenwright's continued presence in the club and the confusion it has brought could be what is delaying the proposed investment into the club by American-based MSP Sports Capital.

Moshiri has been searching for new investors to help finance the club's new stadium which is currently being built at Bramley-Moore Dock, and MSP are willing to do that. In return, the froup will receive a number of seats on Everton's new-look board of directors.

One solution could be MSP Sports Capital purchases Kenwright's shares directly, however, it is unknown whether the deal that has been agreed between himself and Moshiri will be the same deal offered to the American group.

Another solution is that Everton removes Kenwright from his position on the board whilst he keeps his shares at the club. That would appease the disgruntled fanbase, but it is unknown whether that puts the potential investment deal in jeopardy.

Whatever the plan is, the club and Moshiri have to sort it out fast, as there is a lot of work to do if the Toffees want to avoid another season like last.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their plans to bolster their midfield options ahead of the 2023/24 campaign…

What’s the latest on Jesper Lindstrom to Newcastle?

According to German outlet BILD, Eddie Howe is eyeing up a possible swoop to sign Eintracht Frankfurt central midfielder Jesper Lindstrom in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Premier League side are competing with Italian giants AC Milan to land the Denmark international over the coming weeks. There would be a hint of irony to that should they beat the Italian side to his signature given they are set to sign Sandro Tonali from them.

The report further states that the Bundesliga team are set to demand a fee in the region of €40m (£34m) for his services and that the Magpies would not have an issue with matching that figure if they decide to act upon their interest in his services.

Where would Jesper Lindstrom fit in at Newcastle?

The Frankfurt talent is a versatile midfielder who is capable of playing through the middle or out wide on either flank and his arrival could be terrible news for Elliot Anderson.

Newcastle’s academy graduate burst into the first team last season and made 22 Premier League appearances, although only three of those outings came from the start.

Anderson, like Lindstrom, predominantly plays in the middle of the park along with being able to feature on either the right or left flank. The Scottish playmaker registered one assist and zero top-flight goals for the Toon Army last term, while his average Sofascore rating of 6.64 placed him 21st within the squad (out of 24).

These statistics show that the 20-year-old prodigy struggled to nail down a regular spot in the team and was unable to prove himself worthy of more minutes with the opportunities that Howe did send his way.

He could find himself needing to look for a loan move elsewhere or face the prospect of his game time dwindling as the signing of Lindstrom on top of the incoming Tonali would place further obstacles in his way.

The Frankfurt ace, like Anderson, is an attacking midfielder who can also be deployed on the flanks, which suggests that the 23-year-old ace would be directly competing with the Toon academy graduate for a place in the team.

Lindstrom's Bundesliga form over the last two seasons also indicates that he would be a better option, in the immediate future, for Howe in those positions.

The Danish wizard has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.77 or higher since the start of the 2021/22 campaign and contributed with 12 goals alongside six assists, while he has also created 12 'big chances' for his teammates, in 48 league outings.

His impressive tally of seven Bundesliga goals last term was more than any central midfielder managed for Newcastle in the Premier League, with Joelinton's six strikes leading the way in that area of the pitch.

Therefore, Lindstrom, who was once hailed as "unique" by reporter Jacque Talbot, could add an improved goalscoring threat in midfield for Howe, while leaving Anderson at risk of a reduced role and a potential need to look elsewhere for game time.

Sunderland are eyeing up a move for soon-to-be free agent Morgan Fox, according to reports.

What’s the latest Sunderland transfer news?

The Black Cats and Tony Mowbray appear to be on the search for more summer signings following a successful first season back in the Championship which saw the reach the playoffs.

Jobe Bellingham, Luis Semedo and Nectarios Triantis have all already penned terms at The Stadium of Light, and it looks as if the club are interested in adding to their attacking ranks even further with a move for former loanee Elis Simms.

Reports have suggested that Sunderland and Ipswich Town have made bids for the Everton forward, with a decision to be made soon on his future. However, alongside Simms, another target has now emerged on the club’s radar in Fox.

According to Football League World, Sunderland are one of four second-tier sides who are interested in signing Fox over the coming months.

The defender is set to officially become a free agent when his Stoke City contract expires at the end of the month, with Sunderland, Birmingham City, Queens Park Rangers and Rotherham United all keen on a move.

Who is Morgan Fox?

Fox is primarily a left-back but can also turn out as a centre-back if required and is valued at €700,000 by Transfermarkt. The 29-year-old has represented a number of Football League sides throughout his career, making more than 100 appearances for both Charlton Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday.

The £10,000-a-week defender has spent the majority of his career in the Championship, turning out in the division on 239 occasions – 40 of which came during the 2022/23 campaign.

Fox has played against Sunderland on two occasions and has won both meetings, and due to his experience and versatility, could prove to be a smart signing. Mowbray has a shortage of left-backs as well, with just Dennis Cirkin his only senior option, which further highlights how a transfer could be a shrewd one, and by the looks of it, it could be one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.

West Ham United can sign a higher calibre of player this summer with money to spend and European football to offer, yet it might well be a Nottingham Forest player they go after in terms of attacking options.

Are West Ham United interested in signing Brennan Johnson?

According to The Athletic, West Ham are "monitoring" Brennan Johnson's situation at Forest, who are said to be willing to cash in on one of their prized assets if the right offer is tabled.

Johnson has adapted well to the Premier League, has three years to run on his contract and is also attracting interest from the likes of Everton, Aston Villa and Brentford, meaning Forest will not sell on the cheap.

Indeed, the report indicates that the £30m bid mooted by Brentford could fall as much as £20m short of the Reds' asking price for the Wales international.

What can Brennan Johnson bring to West Ham United?

That reputed £50m valuation will certainly make West Ham think twice, but Johnson's time at Forest does suggest he is a possible superstar in the making, one that is on a similar trajectory to former international colleague Gareth Bale.

Once described as an "unbelievable asset" by Wales boss Rob Page, Johnson can be pleased with his return of eight goals and three assists in his debut top-flight campaign – only Morgan Gibbs-White (13) could better those 11 direct goal involvements among Forest players.

With 0.34 goal involvements per 90 last season, as per FBref, Johnson ranked higher than the likes of Jarrod Bowen (0.31), Lucas Paqueta (0.29), Gianluca Scamacca (0.29) and Pablo Fornals (0.24) among West Ham players.

That came on the back of a season in which the 22-year-old scored 18 goals and set up 10 in helping Forest to promotion to the Premier League, seeing him crowned the Championship's Young Player of the Season.

It is not just in terms of goals and assists in which Johnson stands out, either.

The Welshman registered 2.70 progressive carries per 90 minutes last season – defined as carrying the ball at least 10 yards towards the opponent's goal – which was bettered by only three West Ham players.

Some may look down on signing a player from Forest, one of their relegation rivals last season, rather than exploring the European market for a bigger name. But it is not like West Ham have not had joy signing players from Forest down the years.

Look no further than Michail Antonio, who has been a huge fan favourite in east London since joining from the Reds in 2015.

The winger-cum-striker has made 276 appearances for the Irons and has scored 75 goals, with 61 of those coming in the Premier League to make him their record scorer in the competition.

Antonio scored eight goals and assisted three in his first season at Premier League level in 2015-16, incidentally, which is the exact number Johnson managed in his debut season in the competition with Forest.

West Ham signed Antonio for a far smaller fee of roughly £7m, but in the current market, and with Johnson only just turning 22, the versatile forward may well be worth the punt.

Liverpool will be searching for the best talent on the globe to enrich the club's underbelly, and Turkish Fenerbahce sensation Arda Guler could be the answer.

That's according to Turkish outlet Aksam (via Sport Witness), who claim that Jurgen Klopp's Reds – alongside Barcelona – 'want' the 18-year-old prospect after his stunning start to life in the Turkish Super Lig and that they have 'accelerated attempts' as the 22/23 campaign concludes.

A dynamic ace, Guler's availability is complicated by Fenerbahce's desire to keep him at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium for one more year, with two seasons remaining on his existing contract.

Liverpool would be expected to pay around £20m for the teenage talent to pluck him from Turkish clutches, and while this might seem somewhat steep for a starlet so soon into their career at top level, his discernible aptitude as a first-rate prospect should warrant a swoop from one of Europe's biggest clubs, and Klopp would be wise to ensure that he is brought to Anfield.

How good is Arda Guler?

It's been an impressive season for this young gem. Having posted three goals and assists apiece from just two starting appearances in the league last term, Guler has carried on his feats into the present campaign and has scored six goals and supplied six assists from 34 appearances across all competitions.

It's the regularity of his brilliant performances at the maiden stage of his career that will have been so arresting to the likes of Klopp and co, with Sofascore recording Guler's average league rating this season at an impressive 7.48, with his seven direct contributions from just 11 starts complemented by an average of 1.7 shots and two key passes per game, an 85% pass completion rate and an illustration of his defensive work with 1.3 tackles per match.

Guler's strength across a variety of positions – namely the right-wing, attacking midfield and centre of the park – bears a certain resemblance to that of one Kevin De Bruyne, with the Manchester City phenomenon also playing as a winger in his early days before dropping centrally and deeper as he progressed into the prime of his career.

Indeed, preceding his £55m transfer to the Citizens, De Bruyne would frequent the flanks alongside his usual deployment as a central attacking midfielder, with the treble-winning Belgian now one of the most distinguished modern gems with an incredible seasonal haul of ten goals and 31 assists from 49 matches this season.

Guler, who already has an eye for goals and assists and a steady creative output – with his two key passes per game – is a "serious talent", according to Duncan Castles, and could be moulded into one of Europe's best under Klopp's wing.

The German manager has done it before – Gini Wijnaldum and Harvey Elliott were both moved from more attack-focussed roles, Alexis Mac Allister will likely be featured as a robust and industrious central option after signing this summer, veering away from his abilities further up-field.

And Guler, who has been riding the crest of a wave during his early years and hailed as a prospect with "no limit" by Andrea Pirlo, could be the latest addition, emulating someone of De Bruyne's ilk and flourishing as a devastating force for years to come on Merseyside.