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Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will “100% leave” when Mauricio Pochettino arrives this summer, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

What's the latest on Aubameyang's future?

The Premier League veteran first arrived in SW6 back in September 2022 from Barcelona, but he's always been significantly out of favour having made just five top-flight starts during his debut season, with ex-manager Graham Potter even going as far as completely omitting him from his Champions League squad.

Back in March, Romano revealed that the former Gabon international made a secret trip to Camp Nou to support his former Blaugrana teammates during a game and even went into the dressing room after the final whistle which didn't go down well with the hierarchy.

Spanish outlet Sport soon after reported that the Blues were considering terminating his contract, which isn't set to expire until the end of next season, 12 months early to get him off their books and out of the building, and there has now been further confirmation that he will indeed be heading for the exit door.

Taking to Twitter, Romano now reports that Aubameyang is fully expected to depart Chelsea upon the conclusion of the current campaign, a time when Pochettino is widely expected to take over. He wrote:

"Pierre Aubameyang confirms: 'I’d like to return to Barcelona… but we will see'. Auba will 100% leave Chelsea. Barca open to sign Auba but it depends on Financial Fair Play. Only way for Barca: no transfer fee & salary reduced."

Should Chelsea keep or sell Aubameyang?

Chelsea will probably know that they made a huge mistake by signing Aubameyang because he's been nothing but a "liability" since joining, according to ESPN pundit and Blues legend Craig Burley, so Todd Boehly should definitely cash in during the upcoming window.

The Nike-sponsored athlete has scored just three goals and provided one assist since the start of the season, as per Transfermarkt, which is nowhere near a good enough return in the final third, not to mention that he's ranked the 31st worst player out of the 32 squad members with a WhoScored match rating of just 6.12.

Finally, Aubameyang currently pockets £160k-per-week in the capital which is extraordinary for a player who's failing to make any kind of positive impact so sanctioning his sale would free up the wage bill and give the board additional funds to put towards recruiting some much-needed fresh faces ahead of the 2023/24 term.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their plans to bolster their academy side in the upcoming summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Kian Breckin to Newcastle?

According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies could provide Leeds United with competition in the race to sign young Manchester City central midfielder Kian Breckin.

The report claims that the 19-year-old talent has emerged as a target for the two Premier League clubs, who are eyeing up the gem as a summer signing, and that City could cash in on him for the right offer.

However, it remains to be seen how much the reigning champions would demand for their academy starlet as he still has four years left to run on his current contract.

Who is Kian Breckin?

The City youngster is a 'highly regarded' number eight who has the potential to develop into an excellent box-to-box midfielder for Eddie Howe, much like current Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes.

Since arriving from Ligue 1 side Lyon in January of last year, the Brazil international has excelled in the Premier League.

He scored five goals and created three 'big chances' in 11 top-flight starts in 2021/22 and has found the back of the net three times and provided two 'big chances' in 29 starts in the current campaign to date.

The Brazil international has also averaged 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game in the division this term and these statistics show that Guimaraes has the quality to make an impact at both ends of the pitch, by chipping in with goal contributions and winning the ball back on a regular basis.

Meanwhile, Breckin – who was once dubbed "one to watch" by journalist Aadam Patel – has the potential to eventually replicate that standard of performance in the Premier League based on his form at youth level.

The teenager has scored eight goals and provided four assists in 31 U21 matches for the Cityzens and his goalscoring prowess from a central midfield position is akin to what Guimaraes has produced in a Magpies shirt over the last 18 months.

In the Football League Trophy this season, the teen gem displayed his defensive quality as he made 4.3 tackles and interceptions per game across three appearances and this shows that the Englishman can disrupt the opposition's play by making vital interventions.

There is no guarantee that the Manchester City starlet will be able to translate this form over to the first team but Newcastle signed Guimaraes for £40m and Breckin's defensive and offensive output at U21 level indicates that he has the potential to reach the Brazilian's numbers, and potentially outdo them, in the long run.

Therefore, signing the young prospect is a gamble worth taking as Howe could secure the eventual heir to his current no.39's throne.

Liverpool are in pole position to bring Celta Vigo midfielder Gabri Veiga to the Premier League this summer, according to reports.

What's the latest on Veiga to Anfield?

The Spaniard is an academy graduate of the La Liga outfit having worked his way up through the various youth ranks to become a regular feature of Carlos Carvalhal’s first-team, making 51 senior appearances to date.

As per WhoScored, being his side’s second top-performing offensive player and third overall with a match rating of 6.77, the 20-year-old has grabbed the attention of Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside, even though his target’s contract still has another three years remaining.

Spanish outlet AS previously reported that the Reds and top-flight rivals Manchester United have already both held talks regarding a deal for the talented prospect who is open to leaving his homeland at the end of the season, and a fresh update has now emerged in favour of FSG.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are “leading the chase” to sign Veiga ahead of the 2023/24 term. The Anfield side are the ones “pushing” to secure the midfielder’s services and have “cruised into pole position” to get the deal done as a result of being “willing” to pay his €40m (£35m) release clause. Klopp views his target as a “star in the making” and believes that he could significantly “develop” under his leadership.

Should Liverpool splash the cash on Veiga?

Liverpool will be aware that Veiga doesn’t have any experience playing in England so it could take him a bit of time to adapt, but having been hailed a “joy to watch” by performance analyst and content creator Jack Fawcett, the attacking midfielder would be a wonderful acquisition for the long-term future of the club.

The Gol International client has racked up 13 goal contributions (nine goals and four assists) in 32 La Liga appearances this season and ranks in the 98th percentile for shots having recorded 55 since the start of the term to be specific, which is the second-highest throughout the whole of his squad, via FBRef.

Finally, Veiga, praised by Fawcett for his "receiving of the ball under pressure and composure to beat a press", would bring wonderful versatility to the northwest. He can operate in six various positions, including four in the midfield, out wide on the right wing and even at centre-forward, so even though he’s a less high-profile name than some would expect the board to be targeting, he is a hidden gem waiting to be polished.

Pundit Clinton Morrison has praised Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek for his display in their most recent game.

What's the latest on Man City vs Chelsea?

Essentially nothing beyond pride was on the line for either team as the Blues travelled way to Manchester City in the Premier League.

Indeed, Pep Guardiola's men wrapped up the title yesterday with Arsenal losing, and so the side with 115 alleged breaches of financial rules to their name enjoyed a guard of honour for Chelsea ahead of kick-off.

And much of the first half was played at the sort of pace you would expect from two teams will little on the line and this was reflected well by the opening goal.

Wesley Fofana misplaced a pass and City broke with purpose as Cole Palmer found Julian Alvarez who finished well when through on goal.

Chelsea came out in the second half and did well to keep themselves in the game and it seems Loftus-Cheek was one of the standouts.

Indeed, commentating for BBC Radio 5 Live, Morrison noted: "Chelsea are making a game of it in the second half. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been travelling well with the ball, he's so elegant when he carries it. Chelsea are definitely looking to get on the front foot a bit more."

How good was Ruben Loftus-Cheek vs Man City?

The intensity of the match as summed up well by Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp as he noted:

"There's a testimonial feel to the game.

"Man City players won't want to get injured and Chelsea just want this season over with now. It's been that bad for them."

But even so, Loftus-Cheek still put in a decent shift. Indeed, in his 81 minutes before being subbed, he showed quality on the ball with 24/26 (92% attempted passes, one out of one long balls attempted and lost the ball just three times from 36 touches.

On top of that, he battled hard for his team winning six of seven ground duels and was fouled three times too (via SofaScore).

All in all, it's fair to say the £120k-p/w midfielder was a rare bright spot in another drab day for the Blues.

Manchester United seemingly have another midfielder on their radar, with a report from Sport (via Sport Witness) stating that the club have already been in contact over a deal for Arthur Vermeeren.

Who are Manchester United signing this summer?

The player is just 18 years of age but has already made quite a splash in the Jupiler Pro League in Belgium. Currently plying his trade for Royal Antwerp, he has already become a first-team regular in that side with 24 league appearances under his belt over the course of the current campaign.

Those showings have amounted in one goal and two assists but, more impressively, have led to a WhoScored average rating of 7.05 and one Player of the Match award. It's his first season of top-level professional football, but the midfielder has not been fazed by it in the slightest. In fact, his rating puts him as the second-best player in the entire team this campaign, with only Vincent Janssen above him in that respect.

Now, it appears that the Red Devils have added him to their wanted list. According to a report from Sport (via Sport Witness), Erik ten Hag is a big admirer of the youngster and is "in love" with the way he plays his football. That, in turn, has led to the side already approaching the player's party and making contact over a potential deal this summer.

It won't be straightforward though, with United not the only side keen to snap him up. The report adds that Barcelona are also in the running for his signature and view him as the replacement for Sergio Busquets.

Who is Arthur Vermeeren?

It's already been made clear that Ten Hag wants to add to his midfield depth this summer, so a move for the Royal Antwerp man seems to make sense. He is young and already doing well at a good level and appears to have the potential to stay in their midfield for a long time considering his age.

Vermeeren may be a bit of an unknown quantity outside of Belgium but he's already caught the eye of many. For example, football talent scout Jacek Kulig labelled the midfielder as "impressive" after the season he has had and admitted that he is one of the most "exciting prospects" in Belgium at the moment.

His stats agree with this. He has the joint-best tackles per game rate in his current team with 2.7 on average and has the second-best dribble rate at the club as well with 1.2 per game. It shows that not only is he one of the best at breaking up opposition attacks and isn't afraid to put a foot in but likes to get the ball himself and then drive his team forward. He ticks plenty of boxes for United then and if they did sign him, it could be a worthwhile investment.

Manchester United are clearly in the market for midfielders this summer with a move for Mason Mount reported heavily, and now the Red Devils are looking on course to capture another Chelsea star.

What's the latest on Man United's interest in Mateo Kovacic?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Man United are plotting to hijack Manchester City's attempts to sign Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic this summer.

As per the report, the Reds are competing with not only the Premier League champions but Bayern Munich too for the player's signature and are stepping forward to make it known they are willing to spend heavily to provide Erik ten Hag with a high-quality squad.

Would Kovacic be a good fit for Man United?

The Croatian midfielder – once dubbed a "revelation" by Garth Crooks – could present himself as an ample solution for the problems that Man United have faced this season by providing some sound physicality, as well as adding another player with a strong winning mentality into the dressing room and on the pitch.

Ten Hag's long-standing interest in Frenkie de Jong demonstrates the profile of player that the Dutch coach is desperate to deploy in the midfield and Kovacic could be an incredible alternative when considering not only his obvious qualities but also his relationship with Casemiro formed at Real Madrid.

The former Los Blancos teammates often competed for the defensive position alongside Toni Kroos and Luca Modric in midfield, but on occasions were deployed as a partnership – winning a trio of Champions League trophies and a league title during their time together.

Now, Ten Hag could reunite the duo and form a dream midfield partnership for Man United that could inspire an incredible run in Europe next season owing to their unrivalled experience of winning the prestigious competition on many occasions.

Whilst Casemiro is a solid force in the deepest midfield role, having a player like Kovacic by his side who can progress the ball and cover the ground needed to both retain and win possession comfortably would be massively advantageous to the team.

As per Sofascore, the 29-year-old ace – who has a reported price tag of £35m – has strengths in ball control and playmaking with two assists, four big chances created, an 86% pass completion rate and has successfully completed 66% of his dribble attempts over 27 Premier League appearances this season.

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer to bring Kovacic to Man United summer if the opportunity arises, as his successful experience of playing with Casemiro and diverse midfield qualities make him the perfect player to improve the team.

Glasgow Rangers target Jose Cifuentes is set to fly in to complete a medical ahead of a move to the Scottish Premiership, according to reports.

Who is LAFC's Jose Cifuentes?

The Los Angeles FC midfielder first arrived in the Major League Soccer back in 2020 and has since gone on to make a total of 113 appearances for Steve Cherundolo’s side, but with his contract set to expire at the end of the year, he’s likely to be available for a cut-price fee this summer.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Fabrizio Romano credited the Light Blues with a strong interest in the 24-year-old and claimed that initial conversations are “going well” after Michael Beale and Co offered him an “interesting project”.

The Ecuador international also recently sparked excitement among supporters after he was spotted liking social media comments from fans welcoming him to the club despite a deal having not yet even been completed, though it sounds as if a move is pretty imminent.

Are Rangers signing Cifuentes?

According to The Herald, Cifuentes is “poised to quit” Los Angeles FC in the MLS and is “expected to jet in for a medical sooner rather than later” to finalise his switch to Rangers. Beale now “closes in” on securing his next new signing and one that will add “further strength” to the centre of the park, with all of the fresh faces set to join up with the rest of the squad in next month’s pre-season training camp over in Germany.

Could Cifuentes be a strong addition for Beale?

Rangers recently confirmed the signing of Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland so Beale will now be focusing on what other targets he can bring in next, and having been described as a “physical” central midfielder by Ecuador specialist Benedikt Duda, Cifuentes would be a fantastic addition at Ibrox.

The World Cup participant, who pockets £5k-per-week, is naturally stronger in the attacking aspect of his game, ranking in the 98th percentile for successful take-ons and turning his dribbling skills into results having posted five goal contributions (four assists and one goal) in 18 appearances across all competitions this season.

Cifuentes, however, is also good at getting stuck in defensively having won 15 of his 19 tackles made since the start of the term so loves to dispossess the opposition and win the ball back for his side. For someone who has a positive impact at both ends of the pitch, this seems like a no-brainer of a deal to complete.

Celtic officially confirmed that manager Ange Postecoglou has departed the club to join Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

Majority shareholder Dermot Desmond and chairman Peter Lawwell, among the others on the board, are now tasked with finding a replacement for the 57-year-old, who just won the domestic treble in the 2022/23 campaign.

The likes of Enzo Maresca, who is currently working with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Brendan Rodgers, Jesse Marsch, and Graham Potter have been linked with the job.

Journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft recently urged the Hoops to consider appointing Bodo/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen to take the role ahead of the other potential candidates.

The reporter Tweeted:

"Dear @CelticFC, Understand you need a new manager! Check out Kjetil Knutsen at Bodø Glimt here in Norway. Clear philosophy, playing attractive football, success in Europe and is in general a good lad. Ps! Been linked to Ajax as well so maybe hurry up."

Would Kjetil Knutsen be a success at Celtic?

The Norwegian coach could be a huge success at Parkhead as the 54-year-old has the potential to be a Postecoglou clone for the Scottish giants.

Like the Australian boss, the tactician typically deploys an attacking 4-3-3 system and this suggests that the current squad would be able to adapt to his style of football relatively easily as they would be in similar positions on the pitch, with both managers opting for the same base formation.

Postecoglou's side scored a whopping 114 goals in 38 Scottish Premiership outings this term and Knutsen has shown promise in this regard as his Bodo/Glimt outfit smashed the record for goals in a single top-flight season in Norway by finding the back of the net 103 times in 2020/21.

Bodo/Glimt captain Ulrick Saltnes once described his style of play as "kamikaze" and the head coach explained his philosophy by saying: “Dominating doesn’t just mean scoring but also having the possession of the ball and dictating the rules of the game."

This suggests that Knutsen views the game in a similar way to Postecoglou, as the 57-year-old's Celtic team enjoyed 72.5% possession on average in the Premiership.

The Norwegian tactician, who has won two titles in his last three full seasons in his home country, also showed potential in Europe by reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa Conference League in 21/22, whilst the ex-Hoops boss never won a knockout match in any European competition during his two campaigns in Scotland.

Therefore, Desmond could land a clone of the now-Spurs boss by bringing in Knutsen as the Bodo/Glimt tinkerer has a clear, attacking, playing style and could dominate and destroy teams in the same way that Celtic have been doing in the last two seasons.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are ready to make a presence in the transfer window, as the club have been linked to a Serie A youngster.

As reported by reliable journalist John Percy via the Telegraph, speculation regarding Julen Lopetegui’s future is over with the Spaniard committed to his work at Molineux.

The report also revealed that amidst the Old Gold’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) woes, the former Real Madrid boss will make new signings within the £8m-£15m bracket.

The news will come as a relief to those involved, and a positive boost to rumours linking the latest talent to the club.

What’s the latest on Samuel Iling-Junior to Wolves?

As reported by Calciomercato.com this week, Wolves are said to be one of the sides interested in Juventus forward Samuel Iling-Junior.

Despite suggesting that the Italian giants ‘aim’ to keep hold of the 19-year-old, both Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolves have emerged on the ‘list of suitors’ for the Englishman.

The winger is valued around the €15m (£13m) mark, with the report claiming that offers in this region will be evaluated by the club.

What could Samuel Iling-Junior offer to Wolves?

Having made just one start in Serie A this season, the Islington-born gem has managed to impose himself on the side in his 12 appearances over an average of 27 minutes per game, via Sofascore.

At just 19, it’s not expected that the former Chelsea academy star would be making the immediate jump for Juventus’ academy system to first-team, however, the signs are evident to suggest that the Italians have a serious talent on their hands.

Once hailed as “dreamy” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the teen could thrive at Molineux if given the chance to consistently find his feet in the first team.

His statistics over this season place him among some of the best performers in Europe, based on his averages per 90 relative to minutes played, and the hint of the talent he can produce despite not being frequently deployed.

A lack of game time can be a hindrance to players, however in 497 minutes, the 19-year-old gem maintained high averages in attributes favoured in a wide forward.

As per FBref, the London-born talent ranked in the top 1% of those in his position in Europe in terms of frequency of assists, recording an average of 0.36 per 90.

The Juventus starlet also lit up in terms of his progressive play, averaging 1.63 successful take-ons per 90 as well as receiving 8.87 progressive passes, highlighting his ability to get into advanced positions to induce threat.

While Pedro Neto is a favoured name in Lopetegui’s side, the Portuguese dynamo has been an underperformer this season and could have his spot compromised should Iling-Junior unleash his form at Molineux.

The 23-year-old failed to register a single goal or assist in 18 appearances for Wolves throughout the 2022/23 campaign, and may benefit from added competition to the squad in the bid to showcase his worth and cement his spot.

Only time will tell if Wolves opt to sign the Serie A talent, however, there is no denying the impact he could have at Molineux, given the evidence above.

The rebuild at the King Power Stadium looks set to begin following Leicester City’s relegation from the Premier League in May.

Leicester are looking to target former Everton defender Conor Coady as the club look to revamp their back line and potentially move on from title-winning Northern Ireland international Jonny Evans.

Leicester City transfer news – Conor Coady

The Foxes, under new manager Enzo Maresca, are said to be eyeing a move for the 30-year-old defender, per TEAMtalk.

Coady is returning to the Midlands after the Toffees decided against making his loan deal at Goodison Park a permanent one at the culmination of the season.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain, who is valued at £18m by FootballTransfers, is unlikely to feature in Julian Lopetaugi’s plans moving forward, so it is likely the centre-back will be leaving Molineux this summer.

Leicester have already lost two defenders this summer, with Caglar Soyuncu and Daniel Amartey leaving the King Power Stadium on free transfers.

Soyuncu will be joining Atletico Madrid while TEAMtalk report Amartey could reunite with former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers at Celtic.

Jonny Evans, meanwhile, has yet to sign a new contract at Leicester, with his current deal expiring this summer.

Will Conor Coady replace Jonny Evans at Leicester?

Leicester and Maresca will be looking at Coady’s experience with Wolves and Everton in the top-flight and how it can help guide the Foxes back to England’s top division.

Coady was a huge part of the Wolves team that gained promotion in 2018 from the Championship. The colossal defender played all 45 league games that season and his almost perfect injury record shows he can be relied on in a gruelling promotion run.

Jamie Carragher has sang the praises of the fellow Liverpool native, per Sky Sports, describing the defender as “one of the nicest lads you could meet and he has a great attitude."

“Forget football ability for one moment, if you have got those two things that gives you a great chance of going far in the game. The only way you can describe him is that he’s a manager’s dream," he added.

Coady has also featured regularly in the England international set up through his career and especially at youth level.

The former Sheffield United loanee has double-digit caps for England U17s (17) and England U19s (12). The experienced titan also has ten senior caps to his name under Gareth Southgate, having made his debut at the age of 27.

His leadership could be invaluable in a defence that struggled in the Premier League last season.

Leicester need a player at the back, one that can be relied on the play regular football, especially considering the injury record of Evans.

A calf injury kept Evans out of the Foxes team for 143 days during the 2022/23 season, with the Northern Ireland leader missing a whopping 24 games this season, per Transfermarkt.

Evans also missed 19 games last season due to a hamstring injury, and his injury record shows an inability to stay fully fit when needed.

Coady’s availability on the field, vast experience and leadership qualities could be invaluable as it will give Leicester a chance to move on from the likes of Evans this off-season, with Maresca looking to rebuild their backline and begin a charge back to the Premier League.