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Manchester City have now seemingly come out the other side of their disastrous dip in form in the Premier League with Pep Guardiola’s men yet to taste the bitter disappointment of a loss this April.

A comprehensive 5-2 victory secured over Crystal Palace at the Etihad in the middle of the positive month has since been followed up by a determined late 2-0 win over Everton on Easter weekend, leaving City sitting pretty in fourth spot in the tight Champions League race.

An FA Cup semi-final even awaits the boosted Citizens heading into May, but before any talk about Wembley intensifies, the away faithful packed into Goodison Park would have been pleased with a number of top performances from their beloved side.

Man City's best performers at Everton

The visitors would have known it was going to be a tough contest when travelling to the blue half of Merseyside, with David Moyes’ men fresh off a brilliant 1-0 win on the road at Nottingham Forest away from City’s own upturn in results.

Still, City would finish the contest as 2-0 victors, with makeshift full-back Matheus Nunes and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan picking up assists to play key roles in the away day success.

Gundogan was crucial in sealing the three points when teeing up late second-half substitute Mateo Kovacic for his emphatic strike, with the 34-year-old even firing two efforts of his own at Jordan Pickford’s goal.

Away from the likes of Gundogan shining bright, City also had to stand strong defensively when the Toffees ventured forward themselves, with Stefan Ortega making two big saves to preserve his clean sheet, on top of Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol having to remain cool throughout with a remarkable combined 213 touches.

But, there is one performer who hasn’t yet been mentioned who stole the show once more, with wild shouts even claiming that Guardiola could have his very own Declan Rice.

Guardiola is brewing his very own Rice

The outspoken Spaniard has been unafraid to chuck youngsters into the City first team mix this season, with 22-year-old James McAtee scoring in the aforementioned rout versus Oliver Glasner’s men, on top of 21-year-old sensation Abdukodir Khusanov gaining six Premier League starts after arriving over the winter.

But, the most hyped starlet of them all is Nico O’Reilly and deservedly so, with the breakout number 75 scoring yet another senior strike at the death at Goodison to take his men’s career total to a stunning five goals and two assists from 14 outings.

These unbelievable numbers to date have led to outlandish comparisons being drawn between the Manchester-born ace and Arsenal enforcer, Rice. Indeed, speaking earlier this amid O’Reilly’s impressive form, City content creator Stephen McInerney stated that he has the “physicality of someone like Rice” alongside his ceiling in the game being “so, so high.”

West Ham United supporters must watch on with dismay now when they consider how much Rice’s game has been elevated since leaving the London Stadium behind, with the 26-year-old even bagging two outrageous free-kicks recently in the Champions League against Real Madrid.

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Much like Rice, O’Reilly can also dazzle from the centre of the pitch and that is surely where the youngster’s future lies.

O’Reilly’s numbers for City by position

Position played

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

AM

40

13

11

CM

28

10

6

CF

9

3

2

LB

6

4

0

SS

1

0

0

DM

1

0

0

CB

1

1

0

Sourced by Transfermarkt

O’Reilly certainly has the added spice of goals and assists on his side like Rice, with his overall career numbers above largely for the U18s and U21s suggesting he could do a spectacular job under Guardiola in the midfield positions if given a chance, away from currently being shoehorned into defence.

Capable of holding his own in a tussle too, City really do have an “outstanding” talent – as he has been lauded by his manager – on their hands, with the new-look makeup of the reigning Premier League champions to come perhaps centred around the 20-year-old’s impressive emergence.

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West Ham United could attempt to sign a “tailor-made” striker in January, with manager Julen Lopetegui in need of a new centre-forward option as he looks to save his job and get supporters back on side.

West Ham looking to reinvest funds in "top class" centre-forward

Multiple reports have indicated that the Irons are back in the market for a new striker, with Niclas Fullkrug’s arrival from Borussia Dortmund in the summer not exactly working out as most would have hoped.

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The 31-year-old Germany international was sidelined with a persistent achilles tendon injury, which kept him out for over two months, and has scored just one goal for West Ham in all competitions as a result.

West Ham’s most recent results

Match

Date

Opponent

Competition

Result

#18

16/12/2024

Bournemouth (A)

Premier League

1-1

#17

09/12/2024

Wolves (H)

Premier League

2-1

#16

03/12/2024

Leicester City (A)

Premier League

3-1

#15

30/11/2024

Arsenal (H)

Premier League

5-2

#14

26/11/2024

Newcastle United (A)

Premier League

2-0 win

#13

09/11/2024

Everton (H)

Premier League

0-0 draw

#12

02/11/2024

Nottingham Forest (A)

Premier League

3-0 loss

#11

27/10/2024

Man United (H)

Premier League

2-1 win

#10

19/10/2024

Tottenham (A)

Premier League

4-1 loss

As Fullkrug continues to battle his way back to full fitness, Lopetegui has utilised star winger Jarrod Bowen as a makeshift striker, with Danny Ings failing to establish himself as their first-choice since arriving from Aston Villa and Michail Antonio sidelined for at least a year after his horrific car crash.

West Ham insiders, like ExWHUemployee, now share what top sources within the club are saying about the prospect of signing a new number nine as a result of their misfortune in the forward areas. Ex relays information that the Hammers are becoming more open to parting company with star winger Mohammed Kudus to fund the potential acquisition of a “top class” centre-forward, with West Ham demanding as much as £100 million to sell the Ghanaian in January.

One striker who’s been linked on a regular basis lately, and could be available on a temporary deal next month, is Brighton starlet Evan Ferguson.

The Seagulls have set a £60 million asking price for clubs to sign him permanently, amid interest from West Ham and other Premier League sides, but it is also believed that they’re ready to green-light a loan in January so he can acquire more game time elsewhere.

West Ham could attempt January deal for "tailor-made" Evan Ferguson

Journalist Dean Jones, speaking on the Ranks FC Ultras podcast (via West Ham Zone), claims that Ferguson is “tailor-made” and “perfect” for West Ham.

He’s also convinced that the east Londoners could try to prise him away from the Amex when the winter window reopens, with Lopetegui desperately in need of a new striking option.

“The player that I’ve put in here who I think represents a mild transfer gamble that’s worth the punt is Evan Ferguson,” said Jones.

“I think he’s perfect for West Ham, and I think they might try and do it.

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“He’s available on loan from Brighton in the second half of the season. The Hammers have a limited budget. At the moment, Ferguson, when you’re looking at links, it’s looking like Leicester or Everton or Southampton. Go to West Ham.

“Ferguson, I think, is tailor-made for the job that they’ve got in the second half of the season, and it won’t surprise me if this one actually ends up coming true.”

Celtic look set to bolster their attacking options before they return to competitive action against Hibernian, who they beat 2-0 at the weekend in the Scottish Premiership, in the League Cup on Sunday.

The Hoops have reportedly reached an agreement with Norwich City to sign centre-forward Adam Idah on a permanent deal, following his loan spell in Glasgow during the second half of last season.

Brendan Rodgers is on the verge of bringing the Ireland international back to the club on a long-term contract, for a fee that could end up being a record for the Scottish giants.

Sky Sports have claimed that the Bhoys have agreed to pay an initial, guaranteed, fee of £8.5m to the English Championship club, with a further £1m in add-ons, alongside a 15% sell-on clause for the Canaries.

If the Hoops end up paying out all of those add-ons then it would make Idah the most expensive signing in their history, overtaking the £9m spent on Odsonne Edouard from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2018.

The 6 foot 3 marksman may not be the only forward to arrive from Norfolk before the end of the summer transfer window, though, as a new target has emerged for Celtic.

Celtic eyeing Norwich winger

According to journalist Pete O'Rourke, the Scottish giants are the latest club to join the race to sign young Norwich winger Abu Kamara this summer.

The reporter claims that the Bhoys are one of the teams 'monitoring' the 21-year-old magician, as Rodgers eyes up further additions to his attack after the deal for Idah is completed.

Earlier this month, Football Insider reported that Premier League side Southampton were preparing an offer to sign the Engand U20 international, but there have not been any further developments on their interest since then.

The same outlet had claimed earlier in the summer that Belgian giants Anderlecht are also keen on a deal to land the former Portsmouth loanee, but added that – at that time – Norwich were 'determined' to keep hold of him.

Football Insider stated, however, that the Canaries would be forced to consider a 'significant' offer for his services, although it is unclear what they would deem to be a significant amount of money for him.

Therefore, it currently remains to be seen whether or not Kamara is a viable target or someone they would like as a priority signing this month.

However, the young English forward could be an exciting addition to Rodgers' attacking options alongside Idah, who he has played alongside at youth and senior level.

What Adam Idah could bring to Celtic

Firstly, the Irish striker looks set to be a fantastic signing for the Scottish giants because he has already proven himself to be a brilliant option in the Premiership.

The 23-year-old striker has also shown that he has the quality and the mentality to pop up in crucial moments to score important goals for Celtic.

His clutch performances for the Hoops won them vital points in the Premiership title race, with two goals in a 2-1 win over Hibernian, two goals in a 3-1 win over Motherwell, and a goal in a 3-3 draw with Rangers.

His most important goal in a Celtic jersey, arguably, came in his final match as a loanee for the club, however, in the 1-0 win over Rangers at Hampden Park in the League Cup final.

Idah was quick to react to Jack Butland weakly parrying Paulo Bernardo's long-range effort back out into danger to tuck the ball past the former England international in the 90th minute – winning the trophy for his boyhood club.

23/24 Premiership

Adam Idah

Appearances

15

Starts

5

Goals

8

Big chances missed

7

Conversion rate

27%

Minutes per goal

76

Assists

2

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Irish marksman did not need to start games on a regular basis to find the back of the net consistently for the Scottish giants.

He was incredibly efficient in front of goal during his time on loan in Glasgow, which suggests that he could be a lethal scorer over the course of an entire season this term – now that the striker is poised to join on a permanent basis.

Why Celtic should sign Abu Kamara

The Hoops should now look to reunite him with one of his soon-to-be former teammates by swooping for Kamara before the end of the window, as they could be an exciting pairing in the final third for Celtic.

Kamara has only made four first-team appearances to date but his form for the Canaries at youth level and his performances on loan at Portsmouth last season suggest that he is a promising talent.

The England U20 international was mainly used as a centre-forward by Norwich in their academy and racked up an eye-catching 43 goals and ten assists in 80 appearances at U21 and U18 level combined, including 31 goals in 50 U21 matches in all competitions.

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Producing quality in academy football is one thing but Kamara was then able to make the step up and showcased his ability in the final third on loan with Portsmouth in League One on loan during the 2023/24 campaign.

He racked up ten goals and 11 assists in all competitions for Pompey, whilst nailing down a position on the right flank, to help them win promotion to the Championship.

23/24 League One

Abu Kamara

Starts

37

Goals

8

Big chances created

8

Assists

10

Key passes

41

Dribbles completed per game

1.2

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the left-footed magician was a creative threat for Portsmouth on the wing, with 41 key passes and ten assists in the third tier.

Kamara, who was once described as a "really tricky" player by journalist Josh Bunting, has proven that he can create high-quality chances at an impressive right from a wide role, albeit in League One.

Meanwhile, Matt O'Riley (13) was the only Celtic player who managed to assist more than nine goals in the Premiership last season, which suggests that the 6 foot Norwich youngster could come in and be one of the team's best creators if he can translate his form over to Scotland.

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Therefore, Kamara and Idah could be an exciting pairing for the Hoops as the English wizard could create the chances for the Irishman to find the back of the net week-in-week-out.

Glasgow Rangers have had multiple players stake their claim for a place in the first-team after impressing for the academy during the 2023/24 campaign.

Zak Lovelace, Cole McKinnon, and Ross McCausland have all – to varying degrees – been involved with the senior squad as a reward for their superb B team form.

Hopefully, they will go on to enjoy successful careers in the first-team but one player who was deprived of the chance to do just that was Scotland international Lewis Ferguson.

The central midfielder, who is the nephew of Gers icon Barry Ferguson, was released by the club as a teenager, before he could make his senior bow, and has gone on to emerge as a fantastic player and a target for some massive European clubs.

Lewis Ferguson's career in Scotland

After being let go by the Light Blues, the teenage whiz signed for Hamilton and went on to rack up five assists in 14 first-team matches after coming through the academy system.

Aberdeen then swooped to secure the midfield star, who was lauded as a "diamond" by former Hamilton owner Ronnie MacDonald, in the summer of 2018 to bolster their options in the middle of the park.

He eventually produced 37 goals and 23 assists in 169 appearances in all competitions for the Dons in total during his time with the Scottish side.

21/22 Premiership

Lewis Ferguson

Appearances

36

Sofascore rating

7.29

Goals

11

Assists

1

Duel success rate

61%

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Ferguson caught the eye with his quality as a scorer in midfield, who can also hold his own in physical duels, during his last Scottish Premiership season with Aberdeen.

His impressive form convinced Serie A side Bologna to snap him up for a reported fee of £3m in the summer of 2022, at which point Rangers may have already been regretting their decision to release him from their academy.

European interest in Lewis Ferguson

The Gers had a big howler with the attacking midfielder, as he is currently thriving in Italy with Bologna, who he scored seven league goals for last term, and has attracted interest from some European giants.

Earlier this month, Sky Sports reported that Serie A giants Juventus and reigning champions Napoli, who boast the likes of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen in their squad, are interested in a possible summer swoop to sign the Scotland international at the end of this season.

The National have also claimed that his current club value him at a staggering £22m, which is significantly more than the £3m they paid Aberdeen for his services, and shows that Rangers missed out on a big payday.

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Ferguson has fired in six goals and assisted four for his teammates in 28 Serie A appearances so far this season for Bologna, and has completed 88% of his attempted passes.

The 24-year-old whiz, who still has time left to develop and improve, has already showcased his quality as a scorer and a creator of goals from midfield in a major European league, and previously proved himself in the Premiership with Aberdeen.

Therefore, Rangers had a howler with their release of the Scottish sensation as they missed out on a fantastic player who has performed well enough to garner interest from European giants like Juventus and Napoli.

Philippe Clement has enjoyed a dream start at Glasgow Rangers, but he must not get carried away just yet and keep his players grounded.

The Ibrox side have an excellent chance of winning their first trophy since May 2022 when they face Aberdeen in the League Cup final next month, while progress in Europe looks attainable.

With the January transfer window fast approaching, the Belgian may be able to delve into the market and sign a couple of players who could freshen up the squad while ditching a few who don’t seem to have a future at the club.

Ben Davies is a key example, and could he find himself moving away from Ibrox in the coming months?

Ben Davies’ season in numbers

The Englishman has been a regular in the Europa League, starting all four matches so far, yet he ranks 15th across the squad for interceptions per game (0.3) and seventh for possession lost per game (11.5), which suggests he hasn’t quite been at the races.

Domestically, Davies has started only four times in the Premiership so far, with the Gers conceding four goals across those matches.

For large spells during the summer, it appeared as though the former Liverpool centre-back was ready to leave the club, with Stoke City rumoured to be eyeing a swoop for him.

Nothing materialised, however, and he remains in Glasgow, until January at least. Clement must surely utilise the services of Leon Balogun on a more regular basis, especially judging by his displays under the Belgian.

Leon Balogun has impressed recently

While the decision to re-sign Balogun during the summer wasn’t exactly met with choruses of applause by the Ibrox faithful, his spell in Scotland between 2020 and 2022 was impressive.

Under the former QPR boss, however, he made just two appearances, in games that the Light Blues both won and it seemed as though his backup stature was working.

Under the 49-year-old, however, Balogun has started three of his first seven matches and performed admirably, especially against Livingston on the weekend.

The 35-year-old was a titan at the heart of the defence alongside Connor Goldson as he won all four of his ground duels along with nine out of his 11 aerial duels – working out as 86% of his total duels won – and the Livi forwards just couldn’t find a way past him.

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The Nigerian wasn’t even dribbled past during the tie and made three interceptions, two tackles and four clearances in what was a commanding performance at a ground in which the club have occasionally struggled on in the past.

While not a long-term option for Clement, Balogun’s class has shone through over the last month or so and it's clear that the club have been better defensively in the games that he has started.

Rangers have yet to concede a goal from open play across Balogun’s five appearances thus far and this could make Clement’s decision on who should partner Goldson at the back slightly easier.

Davies has sparkled in spells, yet his lack of consistency could lead to him being moved on in the foreseeable future.

Manchester United stand a 'very realistic chance' of being able to bring in Fiorentina defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat this window, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

Is Sofyan Amrabat moving to Manchester United?

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has dropped an update on the state of play surrounding Amrabat's prospective move to Manchester United on Twitter X, stating: "Sofyan Amrabat, not called up for next Fiorentina game. Manchester United, expected to open formal talks for Amrabat soon as Fred and Donny Van de Beek are close to leaving the club. Amrabat wants Manchester United, this has never changed."

According to La Repubblica (print edition) via Man Utd News, Fiorentina are demanding a fee of €30 million for Amrabat; however, they would be willing to sanction his exit for €25 million with add-ons built into the structure of a potential deal.

Fred and Donny van de Beek look likely to leave Manchester United this window according to Italian journalist Romano, which could in theory clear the way for Amrabat to join Erik Ten Hag's project at Old Trafford.

Last season, £31k-a-week earner Amrabat, who has been hailed as a "monster", made 49 appearances in all competitions for Fiorentina, notching a solitary assist, as per Transfermarkt.

Young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo sustained an injury in pre-season, highlighting the need for Manchester United to enter the market to bolster the engine room between now and the end of the window, as per Telegraph Sport.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Jacobs has indicated that Manchester United will be 'optimistic' that they can seal a deal for Fiorentina enforcer Amrabat.

Jacobs stated: “Amrabat has had plenty of options throughout the window. There is a desire from Saudi Arabia, as there is with lots of players available in the market, but it's not his preference.

“And obviously, we've heard of interest from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid throughout the transfer window in the player. But at this stage, nothing is decided.

“But what's clear is if Manchester United move, they stand a very realistic chance because the player has certainly had his head turned by the interest to date.

“And now we have to wait and see what happens with Fred and Donny van de Beek and then see whether from there Manchester United choose to move.

“If they do, they will be optimistic that they can strike a deal with Fiorentina and the player.”

What other business could occur at Manchester United this window?

According to The Independent, Manchester United are in the process of performing a minor clearout as Ten Hag looks to trim his squad and raise funds for reinforcements.

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Dean Henderson, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Eric Bailly, Van de Beek and Fred have all been linked with moves away from Old Trafford this window and could leave if the right offer comes along.

Anthony Martial could also be set for a shock move to West Ham United and he has been placed on a shortlist of potential targets at the London Stadium, according to Caught Offside.

Transfer guru Romano has provided some information that suggests that Manchester United are in the market for another central defender, stating on Twitter X: "Manchester United had contacts to be informed on the conditions of Jean Clair Todibo deal. No bid or talks at this stage as the option could only be activated if Harry Maguire leaves. Juventus already left the race for Todibo last week."

Manchester United are now leading the race for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who could cost at least £133m this summer, according to a recent report from Football Insider.

Which strikers could Man United sign this summer?

It has now been reported that Man United are planning to bid for Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, as he is unwilling to sign a contract this summer, with his current deal set to expire in the summer of 2024.

The Red Devils also remain interested in signing Brentford's Ivan Toney, however they are concerned about tabling a bid while his gambling investigation is ongoing, as he could face a lengthy ban from football when the case is settled.

Another forward on Erik ten Hag's radar is Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund, with United said to have concrete interest in the forward, although they will face competition for his signature from European heavyweights Real Madrid.

According to a report from Football Insider, Man United are now in pole position to sign Osimhen, having been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of the striker, with the recent news that Chelsea could be forced to drop out of the race.

The Blues are struggling to keep within Financial Fair Play limitations, and therefore may not be able to meet Napoli's nine-digit asking price.

The Nigerian is at the top of Ten Hag's shopping list, as the manager is eager to sign a marquee striker, and United are now the Premier League frontrunners, however they face fierce competition from Paris Saint-Germain, who are lining up a massive £133m bid.

Should Man United sign Victor Osimhen?

Kane would be a relatively low-risk signing, given that he has impressed at Premier League level over a number of years, while Osimhen has no experience of playing in England, and might take time to adapt.

That said, the Napoli star is five years younger than the England captain, at just 24-years-old, meaning he is likely to be playing at the top level for far longer, and he is showing signs that he is coming into his prime.

This season, the Nigeria international has scored 26 goals in all competitions, spearheading his side's charge for the Serie A title by netting 21 in the league, six more than any other player in the Italian top flight.

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Hailed as a "superstar" by members of the media, the Lagos-born forward would be an excellent signing for Man United, and it is fantastic news they are now in pole position for his signature.

Everton could reportedly be set to put an end to their striker issues with a shrewd January transfer…

What’s the latest?

That’s according to the Sunday Mirror (29/01, pg 76), who claim that the Toffees are among three Premier League clubs vying for Michail Antonio.

With just 18 months left on his £85k-per-week deal at West Ham United, it is suggested that the ageing marksman is willing to leave the London Stadium despite featuring heavily for David Moyes this campaign.

With Sean Dyche now all-but-confirmed as the new manager at Goodison Park, he could make his first deal a characteristic one, welcoming a tireless target man to underpin his philosophy.

Ashley Barnes repeat

Just two years after his appointment at Burnley, the 51-year-old went scouring the market in search of that perfect striker with which he could utilise as the foundation for his offence.

A staunch believer in the 4-4-2 system, its many variations make for an interesting tactical outlook that is far from the prehistoric ideals many would believe he employs. Despite this, Barnes was the perfect choice to occupy one of those two roles up top.

Whilst talking on The Coaches Voice about how he masterminded the Clarets’ win over Liverpool, he referenced one man in particular as integral in executing their game plan.

Fully aware of the high line, he noted that Barnes’ experience playing in non-league helped his understanding of the exploitative balls in behind that would trouble Jurgen Klopp’s men. It was he who won the decisive penalty, which he would go on to score, helping the Lancashire outfit end the Reds’ 68-game unbeaten run at Anfield.

Dyche could look to repeat the deal to sign Barnes by investing in Antonio, who too has seen a meteoric rise up the footballing pyramid to Premier League stardom and often outscored the consistent if unspectacular 33-year-old.

With pace and physicality in abundance, a willingness to run the channels plus a sensational ability with his back-to-goal, his presence could be integral in allowing a new system to be built on Merseyside that could ensure survival.

In fact, his strength was lauded by personality Godfrey Akoto Boafo, who lauded the “powerful” attacker as “carrying” his team.

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The 32-year-old remains the Hammers’ all-time Premier League top scorer, which speaks volumes for his pedigree, but it was only last season that he was bagging ten times and assisting eight.

Should he recapture any semblance of that goalscoring form, combined with his consistent work rate and hold-up play, he can quickly become a fan favourite under Dyche. Antonio can once again become the “complete monster” that journalist Paul Brown once dubbed him.

With a similar rise to prominence through the football leagues, to their mirrored play styles that utilise their physical assets to perfection, this seems like the perfect deal to allow Everton’s new boss to repeat a masterclass of the past by signing his new Barnes.

West Ham United enjoyed an unprecedented summer of change, welcoming in eight new faces as David Moyes oversaw a huge turnaround in playing staff.

It also marked £158m spent, marking a monumental transfer window for the Hammers as they looked to capitalise on last season’s European success.

However, one saga which dominated large parts of their summer was regarding Amadou Onana.

The Belgian powerhouse had been linked with a move to east London for some time, and despite having seemingly agreed on a deal with LOSC Lille, a stumbling block remained.

Everton too showed interest, but it was believed they would not stump up the cash to sign the 21-year-old.

When they did, Onana did not hesitate. He signed for the Toffees in a deal worth £33m, leaving the Irons without a competent defensive midfielder to challenge Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice.

Now, however, it seems that another opportunity has arisen to right the wrongs of the summer, by not allowing Kouadio Kone to slip through their grasp.

Reportedly having come available for €45m (£39m), David Moyes has been noted as a huge admirer, having sent scouts to watch the France under-21 international feature for Borussia Mönchengladbach.

They could now be set to make their move, pouncing on the reported financial distress of the Bundesliga outfit.

Not quite boasting the frightening six-foot-three figure that Onana does, at nearly six-foot-one, Kone still adds a physical presence to any midfield.

Especially considering his defensive contribution to his side, as he averages 2.3 tackles per game.

This only slightly underperforms from the 2.6 per game recorded by the man currently bossing the midfield on Merseyside.

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What sets them apart, however, is Kone’s ability on the ball, of which he can often mesmerise the opposition with his quick feet. He ranks in the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s big five leagues for dribbles completed over the last 365 days, making him one of the best midfielders in Europe with the ball at his feet.

Dubbed a “one-man army” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig too, this clearly paints the picture of a man who can do it all by himself.

When partnered with Declan Rice, it might just make one of the most fearsome midfield in the whole Premier League. Fans at the London Stadium might soon be wondering why they even wanted Onana at all.

Everton have been stuck in a back and forth with Idrissa Gana Gueye throughout the summer, and now a reliable source has given an update on the club’s pursuit of the player over the final days of the transfer window.

What’s the latest?

According to The Athletic’s Everton reporter Patrick Boyland, Everton are still working on deals to sign the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder.

As per a report written by Boyland, Everton are keen on strengthening their midfield following Dele Alli’s imminent departure from the club and Gueye is one of the players that they are still interested in signing this summer.

Imagine him & Onana

Frank Lampard will be keen to add more strength to his midfielder over the remaining days of the transfer window, with a number of injuries plaguing the centre of the pitch alongside Alli’s imminent move to Besiktas.

Tom Davies, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Andre Gomes are all currently side-lined with injuries, so there is no doubt that there is opportunity to not only strengthen the midfield but find a great partner to work with newly-signed Amadou Onana in the centre of the pitch.

Indeed, Gueye is no stranger to Goodison Park playing for the Toffees for three years before making the move to PSG in 2019 so the midfielder will know what to expect upon his return and could seamlessly fit straight back into the team, with the Toffees reportedly willing to pay £8.4m for his services.

The 32-year-old Senegalese star who was hailed “perfect” by journalist Dominic Booth could be the perfect influence to work with 20-year-old Onana in the midfield roles at Everton, and can offer a lot of experience to the young player.

Gueye is much more defensive in his approach to his role in the centre of the pitch and over last season outperformed his potential teammate with his pass completion rate (93.4% v 83.8%), tackles won (41 v 33) and dribble success rate (72% v 55%).

However, Onana offers much more in terms of attacking and getting forward to be more creative in his midfield role outperforming Gueye in pressure success rate (31.9% v 28.2%), shot-creating actions per 90 (2.05 v 1.81) and had a better shots on target accuracy (40% v 29.2%).

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As a result, the pair could balance out each other’s weaknesses and combine their strengths to form a lethal midfield duo that will cause many problems for their opponents, something Lampard would certainly welcome in his pursuit to improve the team’s presence in the top flight.

With that being said, the signing of Gueye would be a major coup for Everton but it is clear the PSG midfielder needs a much more tempting offer from the Toffees to reunite with his former club back in the Premier League.