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Manchester City are now set to submit a £34m offer for a defender, according to journalist Andre Hernan.

Man City keen on multiple January signings

Pep Guardiola is tasked with rebuilding the Man City defence, with it recently being revealed that captain Kyle Walker wants to leave the club, having been left out of the squad for the 8-0 demolition of Salford City.

The Sky Blues are particularly keen on a new centre-back, having a £33.5m bid accepted for Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov, and the deal is now nearing completion.

Guardiola is keen to make multiple additions this month, with progress being made for Frankfurt forward Omar Marmoush, whereas Palmeiras’ defensive gem Vitor Reis is another key target.

After Marmoush: Man City chase £70m ace who's "very similar to Bellingham"

After Omar Marmoush, Manchester City are looking to further raid Eintracht Frankfurt for a highly-rated midfielder compared to Jude Bellingham.

By
Ben Gray

Jan 10, 2025

City’s opening bid for Reis was knocked back by the Brazilian club, but they remain undeterred, with journalist Ben Jacobs revealing they are optimistic about being able to get a deal over the line.

As such, Man City have taken immediate action to try and get a deal done, with journalist Andre Hernan taking to X to provide an update on the transfer pursuit, saying: “I heard from a negotiation source who says this was just a first offer and that it will increase in the coming days.”

The journalist states the Sky Blues’ initial offer for the defender was considered too low, but they are willing to make an offer of €40m (£34m) to get a deal over the line. Palmeiras are said to be in “no rush” to finalise the move, indicating that a deal may not be possible until later in the January transfer window.

Reis could be a long-term success at Man City

The 19-year-old is already making a name for himself in his home country, having made 18 appearances in the Brazilian Serie A this season, and his defensive talents have been on show for all to see.

Over the past year, the Brazilian has averaged 1.87 tackles per 90, placing him in the 81st percentile compared to his positional peers, while an average of 3.08 aerials won per 90 ranks him in the 82nd percentile.

Of course, given that he is still a teenager, it may take time for Reis to get to a level where he’s capable of being a consistent starter for Guardiola’s side, but there are signs that he could soon be ready to make the step-up.

Members of the Brazilian media have lauded the starlet as a “monster”, while journalist Bence Bocsak has hailed him for his passing ability, which could make him a perfect fit in a Guardiola system.

£34m is a lot to spend on a teenager, but Reis is showing signs he could be capable of going right to the very top.

Hollywood star and Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney was in attendance for the club's crucial away fixture at Blackpool on Monday.

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• McElhenney joined Wrexham for Blackpool clash
• Wrexham beat Blackpool 2-1
• Wycombe went down 4-0 at Charlton

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Wrexham leapfrogged Wycombe to reclaim second place in League One as they edged out Blackpool 2-1 on Monday. James McClean broke the deadlock just past the hour mark and Oliver Rathbone extended the lead shortly afterwards. Rob Aptor scored a late goal for the hosts, but the Red Dragons eventually walked away with three points.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  As the Welsh club took a step forward to secure a third consecutive direct promotion to the Championship, the travelling fans at Bloomfield Road were joined by club co-owner McElhenney. The Hollywood actor was spotted clicking photographs with the Wrexham supporters and cheering for his team from the away stand.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Phil Parkinson's team received a further boost in their bid to secure promotion as Wycombe went down 4-0 against fellow promotion hopefuls Charlton, who happen to be Wrexham's next opponents.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

  Ryan Reynolds and McElhenney's team have two points more than Wycombe with two matches left to play – after their final home game of the season against Charlton they will visit Lincoln to finish off the campaign on May 3.

Newcastle United’s air of imperiousness dissipated last weekend, with Bournemouth running riot at St. James’ Park and emerging as 4-1 victors.

Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up. Anyway, the Magpies had sailed through the festive period and boasted a nine-match winning streak before the Cherries came to town.

It’s all relative. Newcastle have bounded into the top four and also dismantled Arsenal at the Emirates to take a commanding two-goal lead back to Tyneside in the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Alexander Isak was nullified by Andoni Iraola’s defence, but it was bound to happen at some point. He’s been utterly breathtaking over the past few months.

The importance of Alexander Isak at Newcastle

When Newcastle paid a club record fee of £63m to bag Isak’s signature, there was a general sense of awe in Tyneside. It was a significant sum, yes, but Isak had the capacity to become one of the finest marksmen in the business.

He might have suffered injury problems across his English career, but Isak has simply got better and better under Howe’s wing and is now regarded as “the best striker in the Premier League” – by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, at least.

Experience over the past few years has fostered in the United fanbase a sense of belonging, a sense of determination among top Premier League and European outfits. The start of the 2024/25 campaign did not reflect the overarching vision, to be sure, but Isak has stepped up over the past few months and scored at an absurd rate.

He’s reminded everyone that he’s one of the deadliest, silkiest and most stylish forwards in the game, endowed with ferocious striking skills but also link-up play and intelligence beyond merely the realm of the goalscorer.

It’s only natural that Europe’s elite outfits should be lining up to secure the Swede’s prized signature, with Arsenal in particular known to have a vested interest.

Newcastle will hope that they can tie Isak down to a bumper new deal at St. James’ Park, but if they fail, sporting director Paul Mitchell is already doing the groundwork to sign a successor.

Newcastle lining up Isak heir

Eddie Howe has assembled one of the Premier League’s standout squads over the past three years, shaping a middling team into one of potential at the summit of the European and domestic game.

Isak’s sale is not something that the Toon want to consider, but if it did occur this year or next, figures as high as £150m have been floated about.

As such, Newcastle would have the means to go after a first-class replacement, and Viktor Gyokeres is the man at the top of the shopping list.

As per Football Transfers, United have actually held fresh talks for the free-scoring Sporting Lisbon striker as they continue to sweat over Isak’s future.

Gyokeres, Isak’s teammate with Sweden, has a €100m (about £85m) release clause in his contract but it’s understood that the defending Liga Portugal champions would be willing to negotiate a lower fee at the end of the season.

What Viktor Gyokeres would bring to Newcastle

Callum Wilson is out of contract at the end of the season, but Gyokeres would not agree to a date with Tyneside to play second fiddle to Isak.

And indeed, why would he? The 26-year-old has been in devastating form since joining Sporting Lisbon in 2023, leaving Coventry City for £17m.

Last year, Reporter Harry de Cosemo called him “one of the most feared forwards in Europe” and it’s clear to see why, with the sharpshooter’s pace, power and potency in front of goal all coming together to put him in some rather lofty conversations.

Sporting won the Portuguese top flight last season and Gyokeres was crucial, posting 43 goals and 15 assists across 50 matches in all competitions. When comparing his Liga Portugal stats to Isak’s (in the Premier League) this season, it’s very easy to see why he is held in such high regard and why Howe wants him leading the line, should Isak depart.

Of course, you’d think that Isak would succeed in raising his level if plying his art in Portugal, an ostensibly inferior league in terms of overall quality, but it still points toward an exciting future for Gyokeres, should he move to Newcastle.

Not just a clinical striker, he’s creative, combative and mobile, bearing all the traits that would be needed to slot right into a dynamic and energetic Newcastle side.

Moreover, he’s proved that he can do it on the biggest stage and against the biggest opponents, notching an incredible hat-trick in November as Ruben Amorim’s ex-side defeated Manchester City in the Champions League.

Hailed as a “powerhouse” of a number nine by data analyst Ben Mattinson, Gyokeres has everything going for him, and while Newcastle would no doubt have to tussle with some big names to sign him up, he might be tempted by his countryman’s success in Howe’s system and look to emulate him.

Newcastle eyeing up £30m star who would be devastating with Isak & Gordon

Newcastle are aiming to add attacking reinforcements this month, so could the Magpies look north of the boarder to bring in an outstanding new winger?

By
Ben Gray

Jan 20, 2025

Former Tottenham star Jamie O'Hara has claimed this is the "worst Spurs team in Premier League history".

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• Tottenham are 16th in Premier League table
• Endured dismal domestic season
• Ange Postecoglou likely to be sacked

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Spurs may be in the Europa League semi-finals, but domestically, they have endured a disastrous season. They are 16th in the Premier League and have lost 18 of their 33 games. Only the three sides in the relegation places have lost more. The club are reportedly eyeing replacements for Ange Postecoglou and the latest name to be linked is Burnley boss Scott Parker.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Postecoglou could still rescue Spurs' season somewhat by guiding the club to Europa League glory. They face Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals. However, he could be sacked regardless of their fate in the competition, and O'Hara believes the Australian will pay the price for a dire league campaign.

• WHAT JAMIE O'HARA SAID

  O'Hara told Grosvenor Sport: "This is the worst Tottenham team in Premier League history,” he said. “It’s embarrassing; it’s like watching a pre-season friendly, with a Tottenham XI playing against Dartford – they’re playing in the Premier League! I get that the season is over, but still put in a performance, even if it’s for yourself – forget the manager.

  “It annoys me because I know what it means to play Spurs. I would give my right arm to be able to put a Tottenham shirt on and go out and play in that unbelievable stadium for a massive football club. But those players are just strolling about, without much care or effort. Who’s grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck? No one.

  “They’re just accepting the defeats. There is a huge mentality problem at Spurs. It’s ‘win, lose or draw, they play exciting football’, but they’ve lost 18 games this season. Those players have got a shock coming if they think they can just turn things on when they need to against Bodo Glimt in the semi-final.”

  He added: “I think Ange Postecoglou is gone, even if Tottenham win the Europa League,” he said. “I like Ange, but you can’t stay in the job with 19 losses in a season, assuming they’ll get beaten at Anfield. The manner in the defeats in the Premier League is why I think he’ll go. The mentality just isn’t right, and I don’t think it’ll change if he stays next season.

  “If he wins Spurs the Europa League, Ange will argue that he’s done what no one has been able to do in the last 20 years by winning a European trophy. But the Premier League is where it’s at, week-in week-out football. Season ticket holders pay the money to watch Spurs play at home in the league.

  “Tottenham have a great chance of winning a European trophy, but I wouldn’t say it’s been an Ange-masterclass up until this point; they’ve played bang-average teams. We’ll see, but I can’t see him staying.”

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Spurs play Liverpool this weekend. They will then face Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

The return of David Moyes to Everton was met with great fanfare after the Scottish manager replaced Sean Dyche at the helm for the remainder of the final season at Goodison Park.

People often say that players and managers should avoid going back to a place where they have already been successful, at risk of tainting the legacy set the first time, but it has been a terrific start to his second spell.

The Toffees have won two of his three Premier League matches in charge so far, beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 and Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0, after losing 1-0 to Aston Villa in his first game.

Moyes has got the players going and helped them to move seven points clear of the relegation zone, as they look to move well clear of the battle to avoid dropping down to the Championship at the end of the season.

Despite a strong start to his second spell at Goodison, the former Manchester United and West Ham boss is still looking to bolster his squad before the end of the January transfer window.

The deadline is next week and the Toffees are reportedly looking to bring in a forward who could be their next Romelu Lukaku…

Romelu Lukaku's Everton career

The Belgium international initially joined the club on loan from Chelsea for the 2013/14 campaign and was an instant hit on Merseyside, with a return of 15 goals and seven assists in 31 Premier League matches.

Lukaku came in as a player with top-flight experience, having played for West Brom on loan the previous season, and hit the ground running as a reliable outlet at the top end of the pitch.

The Belgian marksman’s sublime form on loan convinced the Toffees to splash a club-record fee of £28m to sign him permanently from Chelsea in the summer of 2014, which turned out to be a fantastic piece of business.

As you can see in the table above, Lukaku went on to score 20 or more goals in all three of his seasons as a permanent Everton player after his £28m switch from Stamford Bridge, which shows that the club certainly got their money’s worth for him.

The Toffees then made a gigantic profit on the powerful centre-forward when Manchester United signed him for a reported fee of £75m in the summer of 2017, after his 26-goal haul in the 2016/17 campaign.

Everton could, now, repeat the masterclass they played with Lukaku by swooping for another loan striker from a Premier League side this month.

Everton keen on Premier League forward

According to The Athletic, in a piece written by David Ornstein, Everton are one of a number of clubs interested in a late move for Brighton centre-forward Evan Ferguson.

The report claims that the Toffees are keen on a deal for the Ireland international and are lining up a swoop to bring him to Goodison Park on loan for the next four months or so.

It states that Brighton are open to sending the 20-year-old number nine out on a temporary deal if a move suits all parties, but it remains to be seen where they would be willing to send him.

The Athletic adds that West Ham United and Bournemouth, who are dealing with injuries to their own strikers, are among the other teams in the race to land the Brighton academy graduate before next week’s deadline.

It also reveals that there are clubs from Germany interested in Ferguson but that a move to the Premier League is the most likely scenario at this moment in time, which could come as a boost for the Toffees, although they still have to fend off interest from the Hammers and the Cherries.

Transfer Focus

Everton are in need of a striker after Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury against Brighton last time out, which is why they should push to get this move over the line.

Why Everton should sign Evan Ferguson

Like the Belgian forward, Ferguson cuts an imposing figure, at 6 foot, at the top end of the pitch and could provide the team with a presence in the number nine position.

It is the 20-year-old attacker’s finishing qualities, however, that could see him emerge as Lukaku 2.0 at Goodison Park, because he has proven himself to be lethal inside the box at Premier League level.

Injuries have hampered his attempts to become a regular starter at Brighton, as he has missed 24 games through injury since the start of last season, but the potential is there for him to be a star if Everton can bring him in and keep the youngster fit.

One of Lukaku’s biggest strengths during his time as a permanent player at Goodison was his lethal nature in front of goal. He scored 53 goals from 49.16 xG across three Premier League seasons after his £28m move, which illustrates how ruthless he was for the club.

Ferguson, who was hailed as “phenomenal” by teammate James Milner, has shown similar qualities in his limited game time for Brighton in recent seasons, which suggests that he has the potential to be a star for the Toffees if it all comes together.

As you can see in the table above, Ferguson has consistently outperformed his xG in the Premier League with the Seagulls and appears to have the quality in front of goal to make the most of any high-quality opportunities that come his way.

Calvert-Lewin has scored three goals from 6.11 xG in the Premier League this season and this suggests that the Irishman could come in to offer more than the Englishman in the finishing department.

Duncan Ferguson 2.0: Everton keen on signing "outrageous" new striker

Everton are showing interest in a striker who is shining in Scotland

By
Ross Kilvington

Jan 28, 2025

Therefore, Everton should push to sign the Brighton youngster on loan for the second half of the season, in the hope of repeating their Lukaku masterclass.

Marcus Thuram made history for Inter on Wednesday against Barcelona as he scored the fastest goal in Champions League semi-final history.

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• Inter striker scored sumptuous flick
• Netted after just 30 seconds
• His fourth Champions League goal of 2024-25

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In Inter's semi-final clash with Barca, Thuram opened the scoring after just 30 seconds. He met a pinpoint cross from Denzel Dumfries and, remarkably, back-heeled the ball into the bottom corner, sparking wild celebrations in the away end at the Olympic Stadium.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Thuram's goal was his fourth in the Champions League this season and is the fastest ever scored in a last-four tie. He had been injured due to an adductor issue and missed their last two Serie A games, both of which Inter lost.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Thuram will hope to continue menacing the Barcelona defence next week when Inter welcome them to the San Siro for the decisive second leg.

With the January transfer window now shut, Rangers reportedly expect one particular attacking player to head for the Ibrox exit door should an offer arrive in the summer.

Rangers transfer news

The Gers found themselves incredibly limited in the January transfer window despite their need for reinforcements and, therefore, managed to welcome just one fresh face in Rafael Fernandes. The LOSC Lille defender arrived on loan in the early stages of the window and has since made his first appearance in a comfortable 4-0 victory over Ross County.

Instead of further January arrivals, those at Ibrox seemingly set their attention straight on the summer transfer window to ensure that they secured a deal to sign Lyall Cameron on a pre-contract agreement. The young Scot is one of the most talented young players in the Scottish Premiership and will join the club at the end of the season.

Rangers once benched "unstoppable" star for Wright, now he's worth £21m

The former Glasgow Rangers forward is now thriving in the Premier League.

By
Dan Emery

Feb 7, 2025

Welcoming Cameron, technical director Nils Koppen told the Rangers website: “I am delighted that we have agreed a deal for Lyall to join the club and to continue his career at Rangers come the summer.

“He is a talented young player, who has already gained great experience in the Scottish Premiership, and adding young, Scottish talent to our first-team squad is hugely important to all of us at the club. Lyall has a lot of potential and I look forward to seeing him continue to grow at Rangers in the coming years.”

It’s not just incomings that the Gers have turned their attention to, either. According to Football Insider, Rangers now expect Cyriel Dessers to leave in the summer transfer window after failing to get his move in January.

After falling down the pecking order, the forward’s sale was seen as a way to generate funds for Philippe Clement to spend before a move never came to fruition. Now, when the summer arrives, he could finally be heading for the exit door.

Rangers must cash in on "great" Dessers

Whilst Dessers has enjoyed moments to applaud in his Rangers career, at 30 years old and falling down the pecking order, the Gers must look to raise funds by selling the forward this summer.

It’s then that they can pursue targets of their own and perhaps welcome a younger, better and more suitable striker for Clement, who still found plenty of praise for Dessers in Rangers’ recent last-gasp defeat at the hands of Manchester United.

Despite defeat against the Red Devils, the Gers boss was quick to praise his forward for his finish in the equalising goal at Old Trafford, telling Rangers TV: “We kept going and scored a very good goal, it was a great finish from Cyriel, but it is a pity we got a sucker punch at the end as the team deserved more and a draw would have been a fair result.”

That moment at Old Trafford may yet prove to be a sign of what could have been for Dessers at Rangers, as the Ibrox exit door moves closer and closer ahead of the summer.

Florian Wirtz has reached an agreement to join Bayern Munich this summer, but the transfer to the Bundesliga champions is not yet guaranteed.

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• Wirtz reaches agreement with Bayern
• Leverkusen reluctant to sell to rivals
• Playmaker doesn't want City or Madrid

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  This season has long been expected to be Wirtz's last in a Leverkusen jersey due to the 22-year-old's fantastic form for club and country which as attracted interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City as well as Bavarian giants. The Germany international confirmed he is ready to leave his current club in the next transfer window in order to get out of his "comfort zone".

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  According to , Wirtz and Bayern are in total agreement and the former Koln youth academy player has no intention of accepting an offer from City or Madrid – despite Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso being linked to the latter after confirming his imminent exit. However, Leverkusen would rather not sell to their direct rivals and talks between the two clubs have not yet begun, with Bayern reportedly prepared to pay €125 million (£106m/$142m) to land him.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Wirtz's contract at Leverkusen runs until 2027 and although the player would rather move this summer, he could end up staying put for another season in order to leave for a cheaper fee in the summer of 2026.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR WIRTZ?

  Wirtz has 16 goals and 13 assists to his name this season with Leverkusen and will hope to improve on that record when they face Borussia Dortmund this weekend.

Whilst the improvement hasn’t been as drastic as many would have liked, Chelsea are making steady progress in regards to defensive stability, conceding 31 goals in 24 games so far this season (1.29 goals conceded per 90) compared to the 63 conceded in 38 games last season (1.58 goals conceded per 90).

So far this season, Enzo Maresca’s side are averaging 11.2 shots conceded against them per game, much fewer than the 14.6 they conceded per match last term.

However, whilst the volume of shots has been minimised, Maresca is still yet to find a way to lower the threat of each shot, with their xG per shot conceded metric remaining at 0.15, the same as it was last season.

It looked like Maresca had settled on a back four he liked in the early weeks of the campaign but injuries and certain players returning have hampered that stability the Italian had which has left the defence struggling in recent weeks.

How Chelsea's defence has shaped up in 2024/25

At the beginning of the season, Maresca found some solidity with a back five of Robert Sanchez, Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella, with club captain Reece James out through injury at the time.

Fofana was a huge part of this, starting 12 of the first 13 Premier League games, the only one he missed being through suspension rather than not being selected.

But since the Frenchman suffered an injury, the Blues’ form has gone downhill, with their only clean sheet since 22nd December in the league coming in a 0-0 draw with Everton.

In recent weeks, summer signing Tosin Adarabioyo has taken Fofana’s spot alongside Colwill in central defence, but the 27-year-old, who was signed on a free transfer, could well have been another player who used to play at Stamford Bridge, had he not been allowed to leave for nothing back in 2022.

Chelsea must rue selling one of the world's best

Titanic defender Antonio Rüdiger left Chelsea at the end of the 2021/22 season, having made 203 appearances for the club, scoring 12 goals, providing four assists and totalling 17,887 minutes played.

In his time at the club, it was a bit of a rollercoaster, falling out of favour under Frank Lampard, before becoming integral to Thomas Tuchel in Chelsea’s Champions League winning campaign.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.

Considering their struggles over the last six weeks, how they must rue not tying him down to an extended contract, with the centre-back now shining for Champions League holders Real Madrid.

When comparing Rudiger to Fofana and Adarabioyo so far this season, you can see that the German brings an extra level of security.

He’s better with his passing, makes more progressive passes and still maintains a high pass completion percentage. But what doesn’t show in the data, is the tenacity and leadership he offers in defence.

Former Arsenal star Mesut Özil once named Rudiger as the “world’s best defender” when in his prime, pinpointing his “mentality” as a key factor to his success.

His ability to take on the best and most physical strikers in the world, battle for 90 minutes and lead by example for his team, certainly makes his presence priceless.

Whilst if Fofana had stayed fit, Chelsea could be in better stead currently, the loss of the Frenchman has only highlighted the Blues’ defensive issues, lacking leaders and a certain type of mentality, one which Rudiger had in abundance.

Outperforming Jackson & Nkunku: Chelsea must rue selling "world-class" star

Chelsea may have made a mistake in allowing one player to leave given his form away from the club.

By
Ethan Lamb

Feb 11, 2025

Jamie Gittens could be on the move in a cut-price deal this summer, all depending on one major factor.

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• Release clause depends on where Dortmund finish in the Bundesliga
• Gittens has admirers at Chelsea, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Barcelona
• Dortmund will hope to get good price for talented winger

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  As per reports by the Athletic, Gittens' release clause will vary in size this summer depending on which level of European competition Borussia Dortmund qualify for. The best case scenario for the German giants is that they finish in the top four to qualify for the Champions League and Gittens will be available for a fee of €60million (£51m/$68m). This figure will decrease if Dortmund finish in the Europa League, the Conference League, or outside Europe altogether – in which case, the release clause for the England U21 international will be well below €50million (£42m).

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  So with that in mind, the fee Dortmund will receive is essentially in their own hands. Currently in fifth place, Niko Kovac's side face second-placed Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, before hosting relegation-threatened Kiel on the final day. They will hope they can do enough to return to the Champions League, where they suffered a narrow quarter-final defeat to Barcelona last month. Gittens, still just 20, has enjoyed a breakout season with 12 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions. He will be hoping to make the right move this summer as he aims to knock on the door of Thomas Tuchel's World Cup 2026 squad.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Gittens spent time with Chelsea, Reading and Manchester City at youth level, before opting to make the move to Germany to sign for Dortmund in 2020. Making his professional debut in 2022, Gittens has thrived at a club known for developing fellow English stars Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho. Chelsea and Arsenal have been linked with the winger.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR GITTENS AND DORTMUND?

  Regardless of the price in question, Gittens will have a big decision to make with several huge clubs interested in his signature. The destination he opts for could determine which direction his career goes in next. Dortmund will have their work cut out replacing the young star if he does leave, and will hope for as big a sale as possible to fund other targets.