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Arsenal have "agreed personal terms" with Brentford's Spanish goalkeeper, David Raya, with talks between the two clubs to continue this week, per transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

Is David Raya joining Arsenal?

The Gunners have been on something of a spending spree this summer, welcoming Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, and Kai Havertz to the Emirates for a combined price of £204m – making this their most expensive window of all time.

And yet, Mikel Arteta's side are looking to keep the money flowing over the coming weeks with David Raya the next player in their sights.

The Spanish international has already been the target of Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich this summer, but according to the Evening Standard, the Bee's valuation of £40m has been too much for both teams.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

It's certainly a surprising development as the North Londoners currently have Aaron Ramsdale occupying the position at the moment, and after the brilliant two years he has had for the team, it's hard to see Raya just walking in and taking the number one shirt.

That said, Arteta must've given the 27-year-old some assurances over game time as, according to transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, he has already agreed personal terms with the Premier League runners-up, and it is now down to the teams to agree a fee.

He explained the situation on his YouTube channel, saying:

"David Raya, who said yes to Arsenal. So, already a few days ago, the preference of the player was Arsenal over Bayern for a potential move, but why? Bayern offered the long deal to Brentford, and the player wanted something different.

"So he wants Arsenal. He agreed personal terms with Arsenal. So, David Raya and Arsenal have an agreement on the contract; now [it] depends on the clubs. Let's see if Arsenal reach an agreement with Brentford for David Raya.

"So this is the crucial point now, but conversations will continue."

Is Raya better than Ramsdale?

Should this deal go through, it'll create quite a unique situation as it's rare that a top team has two goalkeepers who appear to be very similar in quality and ability, but is there one that stands out above the other?

Well, when it comes to traditional goalkeeping metrics, it's Brentford's shot-stopper that slightly edges it, maintaining a 77.7% save percentage to Ramsdale's 70.6%. He also makes more saves per 90, at 4.05 to 2.47, per FBref.

It's a little bit harder to pick a clear winner when it comes to passing, however, as while the Arsenal man completes 68.5% of his passes compared to the Spaniard's 64.3%, he also makes far fewer passes at just 29.2 per 90 compared to 43.2.

One area that the Barcelona-born star clearly beats his new potential teammate is in shot-creating actions, a stat not often associated with keepers, but according to FBref, he created 0.32 shot-creating actions per 90 thanks to his passing, 0.24 more than Ramsdale's 0.08.

It's this ability to play with the ball at his feet that led Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to say:

"Their goalie should have number 10 on his back with the balls he played."

If the two clubs can agree on a fee in the coming days, it will be fascinating to see these two brilliant keepers battle it out for the number one spot – and who Arteta eventually settles on.

There was a time in which the strike partnership of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez was one of the best around, as Inter Milan secured the Scudetto under Antonio Conte.

In classic Lukaku style, however, he decided to swap Inter for Chelsea in the summer of 2021, in a move that he has regretted ever since.

Speaking midway through his season back at Stamford Bridge, Lukaku revealed his regret, controversially telling Sky Italia: "The way I left Inter, how I communicated with the fans, it bothers me because it might not be the right time now but it wasn't the right time when I left, either. Now, I think it's right to talk because I have always said I have Inter in my heart. I'll go back to play there, I really hope so."

The Belgian did, at least, manage to reunite with Martinez last season, completing a loan move back to his form club, which many would have assumed could have turned permanent, if he so wished.

That hasn't been the case, however, with Lukaku even attempting to move to Serie A rivals Juventus this summer – which was protested by fans.

Any bridges built at Inter have been burnt to a crisp, including it seems his relationship with Martinez too.

Lautaro Martinez speaks out on Romelu Lukaku situation

Speaking about Lukaku's situation, Martinez told Gazetta, via Fabrizio Romano: “Lukaku saga? I was disappointed by Romelu, it's the truth. I tried to call him in those days of chaos, but he never answered me, the same he did with my other teammates.

“I was disappointed. But ok, well, it’s his choice."

This comes after the Belgian revealed that he missed Martinez back in 2021, saying, via Romano: "I miss Lautaro Martinez, I could die on the pitch for him since day one I met him.

"Lautaro Martinez coming here with me at Chelsea in the future? No… Lautaro, you can stay in Milan, I'll be back there."

The Argentine's future is far simpler than his former strike partner's, meanwhile, revealing his desire to stay put in Milan to Gazetta, reported by Romano: “I received huge bids from Saudi clubs, it’s true. But I’m very happy at Inter and in Milano, no chance and no reason to change.

“I’m the captain here, Inter is my second home. I feel loved here since day one. I’m proud to be here."

What are the latest Romelu Lukaku transfer rumours?

As of right now, Lukaku remains a Chelsea player, but with plenty of time left in the transfer window, that could soon change.

According to Romano, the forward is attracting plenty of interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, but his priority is to remain in Europe, with Juventus a potential option.

Given Chelsea's summer activity, welcoming both Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, it seems unlikely that Lukaku will have a place under new boss Mauricio Pochettino next season.

As the summer drags on, and he remains without a move, the former Inter Milan man could find himself in an unwanted position come the beginning of the forthcoming campaign at Stamford Bridge.

It's certainly a situation to keep an eye on.

Tottenham Hotspur are "ahead" in the race to sign Juventus defender Gleison Bremer this summer, and they're open to selling in the event of a suitable offer.

Who will Spurs sign?

Having officially completed the signings of goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, playmaker James Maddison and winger Manor Solomon on a free transfer, Spurs are not done there.

New manager Ange Postecoglou, who is currently overseeing Tottenham's pre-season tour of the Far East, is apparently plotting new defensive alongside the aforementioned trio.

Blackburn Rovers starlet Ashley Phillips is already on his way to north London after both Spurs and the Lancashire side reportedly agreed a £3 million deal, while Wolfsburg's Micky van de Ven remains a top target.

In recent weeks, Edmond Tapsoba of Bayer Leverkusen, Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo, Barcelona's Clement Lenglet, Galatasary's Victor Nelsson and Bremer have all been linked too.

Bremer, who was a mainstay for Juve under manager Massimiliano Allegri last season after signing from Torino, is also a defender Tottenham are reportedly keen on.

A report out of Italy has shared the latest on his future in Turin, as the Old Lady are apparently open to selling any of their big name players, if the right bid comes in.

According to Il Biano Nero, Tottenham are "ahead" in the race for Bremer, and if a suitable offer arrives he "could say goodbye". In that event, Juventus will then turn their attention to signing replacements.

The outlet wrote:

"The Brazilian, in particular, always likes in the Premier League, with Tottenham ahead. And if the right proposal arrives, he could say goodbye, with Giuntoli that at this point he should invest in the defensive package, defined as complete just yesterday. So attention can move to the incoming market."

How good is Gleison Bremer?

The South American was one of Juve's star players over 2022/2023, and if they end having to agree a Spurs sale, there is little doubt he would be a major loss.

As per WhoScored, he was among their best-performing players per 90 – with Bremer even managing an impressive 90.2% passing accuracy out from the back.

The former Torino star also made more clearances per 90 than any other Juve player, all while playing the third-most Serie A minutes anyone in Allegri's side (WhoScored).

Speaking shortly after Bremer joined the club last year, Allegri was in no doubt over the player's quality.

"“I am very happy with the arrival of Bremer," said the Italian tactician.

"A physical player with the characteristics we were looking for. There aren’t many defenders of that level and the club has been very good at replacing De Ligt promptly.

“I am satisfied, but now the games are starting and there is only one month left for the start of the season.”

Meanwhile, members of the Italian media have called Bremer "shockingly good", especially during his Torino spell.

"Bremer was *shockingly* good at Torino," said Matteo Bonetti on Twitter.

"Obviously not on the radar of many casuals because the team didn't draw many viewers, but my goodness, some of the games he had against the top strikers in the league… Genuinely looks world class."

As Ange Postecoglou kicked off his Tottenham Hotspur tenure with a pre-season defeat to Premier League rivals West Ham United, it was perhaps clear as to why the Greek-Aussie has been looking to strengthen his defensive unit, in particular, this summer.

While it is often wise not to read too much into these warm-up encounters, the ex-Celtic boss may have still been concerned at seeing his side ship three times against the Hammers in Perth, with David Moyes' men surging into a two-goal lead inside 23 minutes.

Having endured the sixth-worst defensive record in the division last term, the Lilywhites will desperately need to improve next season if they are to have any hope of regaining their place in European competition, hence why a string of centre-back targets have been named.

What are the latest Tottenham transfer rumours?

Much of the speculation at present appears to be surrounding the north London outfit's interest in Bundesliga duo, Edmond Tapsoba and Micky van den Ven, with Daniel Levy and co said to have been engaging in talks with Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg, respectively, regarding the two central defenders.

That German-based pairing are not the only figures whom Tottenham are targetting, however, with The Sun having reported last week that Postecoglou is also showing an interest in Crystal Palace rock, Joachim Andersen, with Levy said to have been tracking the Denmark international since his prior stint on loan at Fulham.

While any deal for the former Lyon ace certainly won't come cheap – with the 27-year-old set to command a fee of £50m – his strong showings at Selhurst Park of late would suggest that he can be the defensive solution that Spurs are craving.

What is Joachim Andersen's style of play?

The 6 foot 4 powerhouse offers the benefit of being able to provide a towering, physical presence at the heart of the defence, while also having the quality to play out from the back when required, with that combination of qualities ensuring that the one-time Sampdoria man could be able to thrive at one of the Premier League's elite clubs.

That was the verdict of pundit Robbie Earle during Andersen's days at Craven Cottage, with the former Wimbledon midfielder discussing the defender's suitability to life at Liverpool:

“Right now, he would be a perfect fit for Liverpool Football Club, by the way. Good size, can play, looks commanding, looks like he can organise, he’s 24 years of age."

Those at N17 will also be intrigued by Andersen's apparent likeness to Manchester City's treble-winning ace, Ruben Dias, with the pair said to share a number of statistical and stylistic similarities, according to FBref.

That is shown by the two men's desire and willingness to get on the ball, with the Palace gem notably ranking in the top 20% among his European peers for attempted passes, while Dias ranks in the top 1% in that regard.

Equally, the pair are also able to offer a real threat at the other end of the pitch, with Andersen ranking in the top 13% for touches in the attacking penalty area, while his Portuguese counterpart ranks in the top 18% for that same metric.

That likeness can also be seen by their leadership qualities, with Andersen having been named captain during his temporary stint with the Cottagers, while Dias has also taken on the armband at times at the Etihad, having been dubbed a "leader of men" by Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Redknapp.

That comparison to the latter man is of interest such has been the 26-year-old's impact in Manchester over the last three years, with the former Benfica man having been hailed as a "man mountain" by pundit Michael Ball due to his standout showings under Pep Guardiola.

For Spurs to then snap up their own version of the 6 foot 1 titan in the form of Andersen could prove to be just what Postecoglou is searching for.

Everton have completed their first signing of the summer with ex-Aston Villa full-back Ashley Young securing a move to Goodison Park this week, and now Sean Dyche will be fully focused on strengthening his attacking threat.

The Toffees escaped the drop into the Championship with just two points to spare last season and only a goal from Abdoulaye Doucoure on the final day saved their Premier League status.

It is no secret that Everton have struggled to kill games in the final third with the forward line significantly weakened by both Richarlison and Anthony Gordon's departures, alongside ongoing injury issues that have left Dominic Calvert-Lewin unable to provide consistent performances in the centre-forward role.

Not only that, newcomer Neal Maupay failed to make the desired impact upon his £15m move from Brighton and Hove Albion last summer, delivering just one goal in all competitions over the campaign.

As a result, the signing of a prolific and confident goal-scorer will be imperative if the Mersey outfit don't want to find themselves struggling in their third-consecutive relegation scrap at the bottom of the table next season.

One player who has been linked with a move to Merseyside this week is Werder Bremen striker Niclas Fullkrug, with the Germany international a significant improvement upon the current options and could even make an impact similar to that of Romelu Lukaku.

Who is Niclas Fullkrug?

The 30-year-old titan has enjoyed a great career in German football rising through the ranks of the Werder Bremen youth set-up to become a goal-machine for the Bundesliga club and eventually earning a much deserved spot in his national team.

Over 371 club appearances so far, Fullkrug has tallied up a whopping 143 goals and 43 assists, with a goal contribution every 127 minutes played which is a fantastic output that would be highly valuable if he could emulate that goal-scoring rate at Goodison Park.

Not only that, the German native – who was once hailed as "very complete" by Bremen coach Ole Werner – has scored seven goals in nine senior appearances for his national team, which again only demonstrates further Fullkrug's keen eye for goal.

In fact, when comparing his league output to that of Demarai Gray, Neal Maupay and Dominic Calvert-Lewin last season, the Werder Bremen powerhouse outperformed his Everton position competitors comfortably in a number of attracking attributes including goal contributions (21), shots on goal per 90 (2.69), goal-creating actions per 90 (0.36) and aerial duels won (54.1%), as per FBref.

The Merseysiders have had huge success with strikers who use their towering stature to dominate the ball in the air and cause chaos for defenders with their strength, both Calvert-Lewin and Lukaku have been the most popular and prolific strikers in front of goal with the latter tallying up 116 goal contributions during his tenure at Everton.

Now, standing at 6 foot 2, Fullkrug – who has a reported €20m (£17m) price tag – could be the second coming of Lukaku if he can follow in the footsteps of the Belgian by finally providing the supporters, the club and the squad a striker they can rely on in the final third next season.

The transfer window officially opened for business last month and Tottenham Hotspur have been busy in their attempts to improve the playing squad ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

They started the summer by bringing in Ange Postecoglou from Scottish giants Celtic as their new head coach and have made four first-team signings to date.

Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro have completed permanent moves to the club after their respective loan spells, and they have been joined by attacking midfielder James Maddison along with goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario.

Spurs could still be in the market for further additions, however, and another new forward could be on the agenda after Lucas Moura departed on a free transfer.

Postecoglou could land the dream replacement for the Brazilian attacker by securing a deal to sign reported £50m transfer target, Jadon Sancho.

How many Premier League goals does Jadon Sancho have?

The England international has struck nine times in 55 Premier League appearances for Manchester United since his move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021.

His tally of 12 goals and six assists across 79 outings in all competitions for the Red Devils means that he has averaged a goal contribution every 4.39 matches on average during his time at Old Trafford so far.

Whereas, Moura produced 39 goals and 27 assists in 221 competitive clashes for Spurs, which was one involvement every 3.35 games on average.

Like United's Sancho, the former Paris Saint-Germain ace is capable of being deployed on either flank or through the middle of the pitch, which made him a versatile option for Tottenham over the years.

Postecoglou could utilise the ex-Manchester City prospect on the left or right wing in north London and this makes him a valuable player to have in the squad, particularly after Moura's departure, as he is not restricted to a specific role or position.

Sancho also has the potential to offer far more in the final third than he has shown at United so far as the 23-year-old wizard's performances for Dortmund suggest that there is an exceptional talent there to be unearthed.

Scout Jacek Kulig lauded the exciting forward as a "phenomenon" during his time in Germany and it is easy to see why when you delve into his statistics.

The English magician racked up 38 goals to go along with 51 assists in 104 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund, which works out as a direct involvement every 1.17 outings on average.

Sancho recorded 12 or more league assists in each of his last three seasons in black and yellow and could come in as a much-needed creative spark for Postecoglou if the Australian head coach can get him back to his best.

Ivan Perisic was Tottenham's top assister with eight in the Premier League last term and he was one of only three players with more than five assists, which suggests that the club did not have an outstanding creator to provide the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son with regular service.

The United winger, who has not been able to hit top form at Old Trafford, has the untapped potential to be that player for Spurs. Therefore, Sancho could be an exceptional signing for Postecoglou and the dream replacement for Moura this summer.

Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino believes the Blues should make a move for Harry Kane this summer due to his relationship with new manager Mauricio Pochettino.

What did Cascarino say?

With the Kane transfer saga resuming this summer, the question over where the England captain will be playing next season is no closer to an answer.

New Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou will be hopeful of keeping his talisman at the club, with reports suggesting that Spurs have no plans to sell Kane, but interest from elsewhere means his future remains uncertain.

Strong links with Bayern Munich have surfaced, with rumours suggesting that Kane is eager on a move to the Bundesliga champions, while Manchester United were the supposed front-runners for his signature before the window opened, although a move to Old Trafford now seems unlikely.

However, former Cheslea striker Cascarino believes that his old side should make a move for Kane, in part due to his excellent relationship with Pochettino.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Cascarino said: "Well, managers who have worked with players and they've loved and they have great time for, they love to bring them in. They've worked with them before, they love them as professionals, they love what they can deliver.

"Now, you talked about the bromance, I don't think there's been anyone bigger than Poch and Harry, because Harry's respect for Poch was extraordinary."

He added: "Chelsea could fund it. Would Harry go? Well, we never know because he's never been asked the question, but the Poch lure is a big one. So, you know, it's a weird one because there are Chelsea fans, and likewise Tottenham fans – the great Jimmy Greaves played for both, it ain't that big of a deal."

Cascarino even pondered whether a potential swap deal could be done with Romelu Lukaku heading in the opposite direction, although that seems incredibly unlikely.

Whether or not Chelsea would be interested in a move for Kane remains to be seen, but it would certainly be a very difficult transfer to get done, and may not go down well with fans of either club.

What are Chelsea's transfer plans?

Chelsea have already brought in two attacking players this summer in the form of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, with the latter a more traditional number nine.

Whether either can provide the kind of goal contributions Chelsea require is debatable, but Nkunku did finish as equal top scorer in the Bundesliga last season with 16 goals.

The Blues are still focused on trimming their squad this summer, with 10 more players expected to potentially leave Stamford Bridge on top of those that have already left, meaning that predicting what Chelsea's team will look like next season is impossible.

It appears that Pochettino will focus on bringing in a midfielder next, perhaps feeling he now has enough attacking options at the club. Brighton's Moises Caicedo is the club's priority target as they look to bolster the centre of the park.

Russell Martin has made it his mission to reconnect Southampton's fanbase by making the Saints exciting to watch again after taking over from Ruben Seles as manager.

If the former Swansea City head coach is to achieve that, he could do with a helping hand from his own bosses when it comes to bringing in new recruits.

Southampton will have to offload some players to help balance the books following their relegation from the Premier League, with skipper James Ward-Prowse the most obvious example.

The future of striker Nathan Tella also remains in the balance following last season's impressive spell on loan in the Championship with Burnley, who are one of a number of sides reportedly interested in signing the striker.

But if Southampton are indeed going to cash in on Tella, they need to have a replacement – even if it is a cheaper alternative – lined up and ready to hit the ground running.

According to the Daily Mail, Martin is eager to bring Joel Piroe with him to St Mary's, but recent acrimony between Southampton and Swansea over a compensation fee for the manager could hinder negotiations.

The report suggests Piroe could be available for £12m which, while not exactly a small amount of money for a Championship team trying to readjust to a smaller budget, would mean effectively swapping the Dutchman with Tella and still having £3m or so left over.

Is Joel Piroe a better player than Nathan Tella?

First and foremost, Southampton would be signing a player that is not only Championship proven but also well known to Martin, having worked together over the past two years at Swansea.

Martin, therefore, knows exactly what Piroe is capable of in the final third. "He is so clinical with both feet, and he is a great technician," the then-Swansea boss said after a victory against Millwall last year.

"But the most important thing he has is the right mentality when he gets around the goal. He shows composure, he is calm, and he just focuses on his technique, something that all top strikers possess."

Piroe had very similar numbers to Tella last season – with the latter playing in a better side – as they scored 19 and 17 goals respectively, though the Burnley loanee did assist five goals to the former Netherlands U20 international's two.

They were also alike in terms of percentage of shots on target (44.4 for Tella and 41.4 for Piroe) and touches per 90 minutes (39.5 v 35), as per FBref, but Piroe came out on top for pass-completion rate (81.5% v 72.6%) and also the number of aerial duels won per 90 (0.55 v 0.43).

Ultimately, there is very little between the two players, with just one month separating them in terms of age. Piroe does have more longevity, though, having scored 22 goals and 19 goals in the past two Championship seasons, while also boasting experience of playing in Eredivisie with PSV.

Sanctioning the sale of Tella is a big call to make, but if Piroe is indeed available for a cheaper price, Southampton would not only be bringing in a proven striker but also helping to further ease their financial issues.

West Bromwich Albion missed out on the Championship play-offs by just three points as they finished ninth in the table at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

Carlos Corberan now has the summer transfer window to bolster his squad with the aim of competing for promotion to the Premier League next season.

One area in which the Spanish head coach may look to strengthen in is the forward department. No Baggies player managed more than seven goals and Karlan Grant, in particular, endured a difficult year in front of goal.

The former Huddersfield gem only scored three goals in 31 Championship matches for the club and the service to him was not the issue as he missed nine 'big chances'.

Corberan could land an upgrade on the profligate dud by signing Jerry Yates in the coming weeks, as both players are strikers who can also play on either flank.

How did Jerry Yates perform last season?

Despite Blackpool's relegation from the second tier, the 26-year-old marksman enjoyed an excellent campaign for the Tangerines and his form suggests that the potential is there for him to be a superb addition to West Brom's squad.

Yates, who is a reported £4m transfer target for the Baggies, plundered 14 goals in 41 league appearances, whilst he only missed eight 'big chances'.

The English finisher proved himself to be a reliable goalscoring option at that level, which is something Corberan did not have in his roster last term.

He scored twice as many goals as any member of the Spaniard's side and almost five times more than Grant, who played out wide or through the middle, produced. This means that the 5 foot 9 dynamo could, therefore, provide the club with a huge attacking boost.

Along with his predatory instincts in the final third, the £6.1k-per-week hotshot also showcased his creative ability with four assists and nine 'big chances' created for his teammates.

Meanwhile, Daryl Dike was the only Baggies no9 with at least one assist as Grant failed to create a single 'big chance' or register any assists in the Championship.

Yates' 0.8 key passes per match would place him in the top five performers for West Brom and above every other centre-forward at the club, which means that he provided his fellow attackers with more opportunities in front of goal.

These statistics suggest that the Blackpool ace, who was lauded as "immense" by journalist Sean McGinlay, would be a significant upgrade on Grant due to the threat he poses at the top end of the pitch as a goal scorer and creator.

Manchester United could have been in for England international Declan Rice if the proposed “takeover had actually happened”, believes transfer insider Dean Jones.

The West Ham United captain has been linked to multiple clubs over the last few months, but United have been notably absent from rumours.

Manchester United transfer news – What’s the latest on Declan Rice?

Rice’s expected departure from the Hammers was confirmed in the aftermath of the team’s historic Europa Conference League win earlier this month when chairman David Sullivan told the media his player was promised he could leave.

The club most heavily linked to the Kingston upon Thames-born player has been Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

The Gunners have made two bids for the player so far, with the second offer of £90m being rejected by the east London club as they look to get the maximum they can for their prized asset.

Worse still, the Red Devils’ cross-city rivals Manchester City have entered the race, with David Ornstein reporting that this morning the club is “expected to submit an offer for Declan Rice today [Thursday].”

Where, in all of this, have United been?

The club do have the imperious Casemiro as their starting number six, but with Scott McTominay not being of the required level and few other options, a player like Rice could be transformative for the side.

What did transfer insider Dean Jones say about Declan Rice to Manchester United?

Jones was very quick to point out that the process of the potential takeover has thrown a spanner in many of United’s transfer plans, including any plans they may have had for Rice.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: “I don’t think they’re in the race for Rice right now. I think in an ideal world, they would be, maybe if the takeover had actually happened, they could have been. But as it stands right now, don’t think Rice is going to come into their thoughts.”

Would Declan Rice have been a good transfer for Manchester United?

The £60k-per-week West Ham captain is undoubtedly one of the most sought-after midfielders in the league – hence all the interest from other clubs – and for that reason, he would surely have improved United.

There is an argument that the England international wouldn’t get into the team as an out-and-out defensive midfielder due to the immense performances of Casemiro last season.

However, he could have performed well as a number eight whilst the Brazilian was still a part of the team.

Last season the Irons “destroyer”, as labelled by ex-Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson, achieved an average match rating of 7.01 across his 37 Premier League appearances, just slightly below the Brazilians’ 7.17, per WhoScored.

His underlying numbers are equally impressive.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe’s top five leagues, Rice was in the top 5% for interceptions, the top 15% for progressive carries – suggesting he could fulfil the eight role – and the top 19% for pass completion, all per 90.

The United faithful will surely feel even more ire for their owners if they have missed out on a player of Rice’s quality due to the circus surrounding the takeover.