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Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino is keen to leave the Gunners over the summer permanently to seek more frequent first-team football.

Why does Patino want to leave?

The Gunners have excelled on the pitch this season with Mikel Arteta's men putting together a serious title charge which has only recently come undone.

However, their success has been aided through the emergence of Bukayo Saka over recent years with the England international playing a huge role in their season thus far.

The young winger is the club's second-highest top scorer this season with 14 across all competitions which is a sign that youth will be given an opportunity at the Emirates.

However, there are also players like Reiss Nelson who – although has enjoyed some massive moments this season – has found minutes incredibly tough to come by under Arteta (via Transfermarkt).

Patino has spent the campaign out on loan with the Championship outfit Blackpool who have suffered relegation in recent days.

But the youngster has now had a taste of regular first-team football having made 33 appearances for the Tangerines in the second-tier this season.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the 19-year-old will be looking for an exit route from north London upon his return from loan:

(1:50) "We can confirm that Charlie Patino's intention is to leave Arsenal in the summer. Yes, leave on a permanent basis. This is the idea on the player side.

"Why? Because Arsenal have many, many important players in the squad. They are going to sign more players in the summer. And so the feeling of Patino is that he doesn't want to go on loan again in the summer."

Could Patino make an impact at Arsenal?

During his time in north London, the 19-yeard-old has only made two appearances across the League and FA Cup which have accounted for 79 minutes worth of action (via Transfermarkt).

In his brief cameo appearance in the Carabao Cup against Sunderland in 2021, the youngster was able to provide an assist as Arsenal progressed to the next round.

However, these two appearances weigh insignificant in comparison to the game time he has been allowed on the west coast with Blackpool.

Of course, the standard of football will be down on what Arsenal could potentially provide him, but is he really likely to be handed opportunities when he hasn't been given his league debut yet?

Arsenal's hopes of lifting the title have received a huge blow in recent weeks which would suggest the summer would see Edu Gaspar look to make upgrades if they are to challenge next season.

If this is to be the case, you have to question where Patino's minutes could potentially come from – barring injuries perhaps – in the Arsenal first team over the foreseeable future.

Charles Watts has previously hailed the youngster as "magic" but whether or not he can reach those levels in north London will remain to be seen.

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a swoop for Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund this summer as Erik ten Hag looks to improve his squad ahead of next season.

What’s the latest on Rasmus Hojlund to Manchester United?

Danish outlet BT have claimed that Manchester United and Real Madrid have written a ‘letter of interest’ declaring that they are keen on the striker ahead of the summer transfer window.

The youngster won't come cheap however, with the Serie A side demanding up to €70m (£62m) in order for any club to secure the services of the player ahead of next season.

Could Rasmus Hojlund join Manchester United?

The Old Trafford side certainly have the finances in order to push through a deal and the player himself even stated that he was a fan of the club, saying: “Now that you ask, I will not hide the fact that I am a huge Manchester United fan.”

This may give Erik ten Hag a big advantage over the other suitors and with the Dutchman aiming to vastly improve his attacking options, Hojlund could be an ideal signing.

The Dane would also be a major Anthony Martial upgrade with the Frenchman currently struggling at the Old Trafford side in recent years and could well be moved on this summer.

Indeed, this season, Hojlund has registered more goals (ten to six), shots on target per 90 (1.35 to 1.03), shot-creating actions per 90 (three to 2.22) and total touches in the opposition penalty area (112 to 29) than the United forward, suggesting he would be a massive upgrade next term.

Since joining Atalanta in the summer, the 20-year-old has scored seven goals across 26 league appearances, creating one big chance and averaging 1.6 shots per game, excellent statistics for someone in their first season in Italy, and he has also delivered on the international stage recently too.

Hojlund made his senior debut for Denmark in September last year, yet it wasn’t until a tie against Finland in March that he scored his first goals for his country, netting an incredible hattrick, and he added a double just three days later, meaning the player now has more goals than caps for Denmark.

The young dynamo certainly has all the attributes needed to succeed at the highest level, with his frightening pace one of his major advantages as journalist Sacha Pisani dubbed the striker “scary quick” earlier this year.

Ten Hag will be desperate to add some quality to his squad and by clearing out deadwood such as Martial, Hojlund could become a key signing, not only for next season but for the years ahead as he has the potential to blossom into one of the finest strikers in the world.

As Tottenham Hotspur sporting director Fabio Paratici continues to seek out potential replacements for Antonio Conte in the dugout – despite the 53-year-old having yet to be sacked – a whole host of names have been mooted as possible candidates for the position in recent days.

According to The Guardian, one man who does seemingly have 'admirers' at N17 is Sporting CP boss, Ruben Amorim, with the 38-year-old – whose current deal in Lisbon is set to run until 2026 – said to be interested in taking on the role.

As Football Insider previously noted, the Portuguese coach is said to be "ready" to take on a top job in the Premier League, although the Lilywhites could find it difficult to secure his services prior to the end of the season.

A further sticking point may also be the fact that the highly-coveted coach – who has also attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain – could prove rather costly due to his €20m (£18m) release clause, albeit with that figure set to drop to €15m (£13m), this summer.

The up-and-coming manager has seemingly justified such an asking price having done an "incredible" job in his current post over the past few years, according to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, having notably knocked the Gunners out of the Europa League a week ago.

The former Braga head coach would not be the first, exciting, young Portuguese coach to try their luck in north London, with Amorim's rise seemingly evoking memories of a certain, Andre Villas-Boas.

Would Amorim be a success at Spurs?

Much like the current Sporting man, Villas-Boas made his name in his native Portugal at FC Porto, enjoying a remarkable debut campaign in charge of the club during the 2010/11 season, as the emerging coach guided his side to the treble – notably enjoying an unbeaten Primeira Liga season and winning the Europa League.

That stunning, breakout success ensured that the Porto native was swiftly snapped up by Premier League giants Chelsea for the following season at the age of just 33, having followed in the footsteps of compatriot Jose Mourinho – a man whom Amorim has also earned comparisons to.

That spell at Stamford Bridge lasted just a matter of months before Villas-Boas was shown the door, although he quickly returned to English football to take charge of Spurs in 2012, finishing fifth in that debut season with what was then a club-record tally of 72 points in the Premier League.

Despite all the early excitement of that "magnificent" season – in his own words – that enthusiasm quickly faded amid the loss of talisman Gareth Bale, with the highly-rated coach again finding himself out of a job midway through the 2013/14 campaign.

That ultimately ill-fated spell has perhaps showcased the step up that is required to go from thriving in the Primeira Liga to then repeating that success in England, with it undoubtedly a difficult transition to make to move into one of Europe's top five leagues.

The fear will be that Amorim – who is also still in his thirties – could suffer a similar fate if he is to be appointed in the near future, with it likely something of a gamble as far as Paratici and co are concerned.

Leeds United have endured a tough season, and despite a vast overhaul in both the summer and January windows, they remain struggling around the foot of the table.

It marks a disappointing downturn from their return season in the Premier League, where they captured the imagination with Marcelo Bielsa's free-flowing and subsequently free-scoring style of football.

However, given their current predicament, it is expected that pragmatism will take over under Javi Gracia. The Spaniard has been entrusted with the unenviable task of retaining their top-flight status and reigniting an underperforming squad that seems completely devoid of confidence.

Whilst the first team struggles, it is the Whites' U21s who seem to be thriving as they sit atop their Premier League 2 league table after 16 games. That squad is underpinned by the next generation of talent who are likely all deserving of their step up.

But despite the various starlets Gracia could call upon, perhaps the abysmal performances by Patrick Bamford could now spell an opportunity for someone like Mateo Joseph to take his spot.

Who is Mateo Joseph?

The teenage sensation is currently enjoying one of his best goal-scoring spells since signing in January 2022, as he already boasts 13 strikes in just 15 Premier League 2 matches.

To compare this with the senior squad's English marksman, who scored his first goal since early January over the weekend, the two are completely contrasted in form and confidence. This was just his second league goal of the season.

Not only this, but Bamford's long-range effort against Brighton and Hove Albion was hardly meriting a goal, as it took a wicked deflection to thunder it in off the underside of the crossbar.

His profligacy in front of goal has led to widespread criticism, as the 29-year-old no longer has his injury woes to fall back on. Even journalist Dean Jones came out to lambast the forward, claiming: "We know how good he is, but the constant wait for him to be fit and firing is costing them now. It's literally costing them league places."

Meanwhile, journalist Tom Maston has lauded Joseph for being "on fire in front of goal"; a stark contrast.

Given how Bamford has struggled and the 19-year-old has finally hit his stride, perhaps now marks the perfect time to unleash Joseph until Rodrigo returns from injury.

Liverpool are monitoring Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe ahead of a potential move to the Premier League, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Talks previously held

The Frenchman’s contract at the Parc des Princes isn’t set to expire until 2025, but Fabrizio Romano suggested last October that the 24-year-old is looking to leave Christophe Galtier’s side ‘as soon as possible’.

The Athletic report that the Ligue 1 giants blocked a move to Real Madrid last summer, insisting that they would only sanction a sale should he join Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

The Merseyside outfit, who are the 24-year-old’s mother’s favourite club, previously held talks with their transfer target regarding a possible move, and it sounds like he has come back onto their radar.

The Latest: Liverpool eyeing Mbappe

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are ‘continuing to monitor the situation’ of Mbappe, with his future uncertain in Paris. The PSG talisman has ‘publicly and privately’ made his ‘discontentment’ known and is looking for a fresh start.

However, the Reds know that a deal will be ‘hard to complete’ thanks to the figures involved, with the forward currently earning more than £1.2m per week – more than three times the current highest earner at Anfield (Mohamed Salah on £350k-p/w).

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The Verdict: Would be a massive coup

Mbappe has been hailed as a ‘work of art’ by commentator Rodolfo Landeros, and it would be a massive coup should Liverpool be able to secure his services this summer.

The Nike-sponsored machine has clocked up an astonishing 292 goal contributions in 245 appearances for PSG at the age of just 24, highlighting just how prolific he can be in the final third. The Parisian also ranks in the 99th percentile of positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues for five different statistics, including the most progressive carries and touches in the attacking penalty area.

Finally, Mbappe would provide Klopp with great versatility, having operated in four various positions throughout his career, making this a no-brainer of a move to complete in theory.

However, it seems most unlikely that the notoriously frugal FSG would cough up the funds that it would likely require for a player who cost €180m (£159m) as a teenager, especially with the Reds looking unlikely to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur’s former striker Jermain Defoe has hailed Kyle Walker as better than Gareth Bale in certain aspects of his physicality.

What’s the latest?

Walker departed the north London club back in 2017 in a deal which is believed to have been worth in the region of a whopping £53m.

The now 32-year-old left a huge hole in the Spurs side which has seen them struggle to find a solid replacement since he left with numerous players coming and going since Walker’s exit.

Since leaving Spurs, the Englishman has gone on to win four Premier League titles, four League Cups an FA Cup and two Community Shields.

Speaking on the FIVE YouTube channel, Defoe admitted that Walker was able to do most things that Bale could do and was actually better in certain aspects on the ball:

“Like, he is on another level. Physically, he’s on another level to anything I’ve seen. Anything I’ve seen. Prime on his day.”

“And we talk about Gareth [Bale] knocking the ball past people, Kyle could do the same and probably quicker than Gareth. Kyle’s a machine. I’ve never seen anything like it. A machine.”

Better than Bale?

Bale’s time at Spurs will be remembered incredibly fondly with the Welshman showing out in his final season at White Hart Lane – as a permanent player.

Over the course of the 2012/13 campaign, the left-footed forward provided Spurs with 21 goals and eight assists in the Premier League.

And some of the goals he was able to return will last forever in the memories of many Spurs fans.

However, it has to be said Spurs were able to replace him fairly comfortably when Harry Kane made his name at the club with the Englishman providing cover for the goals Bale offered year after year.

The same cannot be said, though, in replacing Walker with Spurs having now spent in the region of £120m on seven right-backs and wight wing-backs since his departure for Manchester.

Walker is often recognised as one of the fastest players to have graced the Premier League, so from a physical point of view there is certainly some merit in what Defoe is saying.

Perhaps Defoe is recalling memories from his days in training with Spurs, whereas, with Bale, the Welshman often produced these moments during the games themselves.

Memories of beating the likes of Maicon in both games against Inter Milan in the Champions League spring to mind but perhaps that is because he was able to provide the finishing touch by scoring and assisting.

Whereas with Walker, the right-back has not exactly shown the same ability in converting with just four goals and 20 assists in 229 appearances for purs.

Rangers are thought to be relaxed over Malik Tillman’s future – but journalist Chris Jack has warned his fine form could stop him being at Ibrox next season.

The Lowdown: Tillman at Rangers

Tillman arrived at Ibrox in the summer, joining on a season-long loan deal from Bayern Munich, with the Gers holding an exclusive option to buy clause (via Rangers).

The 20-year-old bagged in Rangers’ recent outing against Ross County, scoring a second goal in as many games to take his tally up to seven SPFL goals at the weekend.

Tillman was born in Germany, but has represented the USA four times, narrowly missing out on the World Cup squad after previously being involved in the three prior matches due to his form in Scotland.

The Latest: Will he stay?

Given his importance to the Rangers side this season – especially since Michael Beale’s arrival – the Gers will surely be keen to see him extend his stay at Ibrox beyond the end of the campaign, with Jack telling The Rangers Review he’d be surprised if he doesn’t stay, saying:

“Right now, I don’t see why [he wouldn’t stay].

“Rangers are in a strong position, they’ve got that deal in place with Bayern Munich, they’ve got first dibs on him. I would be amazed if they don’t try and activate that clause to make Malik a Rangers player come the summer.

“The only danger, I think, for Rangers is, the better he plays, the more impressive he is, he may well get other clubs then onto his people or to Bayern Munich, saying, ‘by the way, we can give you more money than Rangers, we can offer you more money personally in terms of offering a better league, better European aspirations.

“That may be the only fly in the ointment for Rangers, at the moment Rangers seem relaxed about the situation, Tillman seems relaxed about the situation and I’d be very surprised if he’s not a Rangers player come the first game of next season.”

The Verdict: Deal to be done?

The Daily Record recently reported that Beale admitted the youngster’s future hangs on the decision that his parent club make, with Rangers holding no obligation to sign him and the exclusive clause holds just a first option to buy scenario that only exists if Bayern entertain offers.

But given Bayern Munich’s depth in attacking midfield consists of wonderkid Jamal Musiala – who bagged nine Bundesliga goals before the World Cup break – legendary figure Thomas Muller and teenager Paul Wanner, there are plenty of direct rivals standing in Tillman’s way.

Rangers are all but set to enter the qualifying rounds of the Champions League with them sitting 19 points clear of third place, so they will be able to offer at least the chance to make it to the group stages alongside regular game time that will surely be invaluable to Tillman and give them the edge over any potential suitors.

Leeds United would be making a massive statement by signing Weston McKennie in the coming days amid their battle against the drop.

What’s the latest?

Leeds now look on course to secure the signing after Fabrizio Romano officially gave it a ‘here we go’.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Pete O’Rourke has hailed the potential signing of the 24-year-old midfielder as a massive statement from the Yorkshire club:

“It would be a big signing for Leeds. There’s been a number of top clubs linked with McKennie over the years as well and I think he’s shown at Juventus and also for the USA at the World Cup that is a top performer.

“So I think it’d be a huge boost and a huge statement signing if Leeds can get a deal done for McKennie.”

Statement of intent

It has been a difficult start to the campaign for the Whites who are currently sat just one point above Bournemouth in the relegation zone.

However, Victor Orta has not messed about this month having brought in two new faces already with Maximilian Wober and Georginio Rutter.

And having already spent £35m, the addition of someone like McKennie would be a big statement from the club when their relegation rivals such as Everton have barely made a splash in the market.

In McKennie, Leeds could potentially be adding a 24-year-old who already has 24 in the Champions League.

So putting a player of that ilk into a side who are battling the drop would surely provide Leeds with a boost in the second half of the campaign as they look to pull away from the drop zone.

After all, this is a player who was not so long ago linked with a potential move to north London with Tottenham Hotspur believed to have monitored his situation.

Not only would adding a player like McKennie hopefully see Leeds rise above the relegation scrap, but there will be the hope these additions over January will help Leeds get back to their ninth-placed finish of the 2020/21 campaign.

An update has emerged on Tottenham Hotspur and their interest in signing Pedro Porro in the January transfer window…

What’s the talk?

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Spanish defender is the number one target for Fabio Paratici and Antonio Conte in the wing-back position this month.

The reporter has claimed that the club will make a move for the gem before the window slams shut but they will need to pay his £40m release clause in order to secure a deal.

Romano Tweeted: “Understand Pedro Porro is top of the list for Tottenham as new right back. Spurs will try to sign Porro as player would be keen on the move. #THFC It’s difficult deal in January as Sporting have been very clear: €45m release clause or no way. Stance could change in June.”

Matt Doherty upgrade

Conte could land a big upgrade on current right wing-back Matt Doherty by bringing Porro to the club from Sporting before the end of the month.

The Irish international has played 11 times in the Premier League for Spurs this season, starting six matches, and has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.91.

This comes after he averaged a score of 7.06 across 15 appearances throughout the 2021/22 campaign, as he contributed with two goals and four assists.

He ranks in the 73rd and 70th percentiles respectively for Expected Assists and shot-creating actions per 90 amongst his positional peers in Europe’s top five leagues over the last 365 days.

Porro, who was once dubbed “impressive” by journalist Josh Bunting, ranks in the 99th percentiles in both statistics in Europe’s top eight leagues over the last 365 days, which shows that he is one of the most creative players in his position on the continent.

The Sporting man also ranks higher than Doherty in progressive passes, completed dribbles, assists, and touches in the opposition’s box per 90.

These statistics, along with Porro’s 7.21 Sofascore rating in Liga Portugal this season, indicate that the Spaniard would be a big upgrade on Tottenham’s Irishman.

The former Manchester City man would offer far more at the top end of the pitch and help to create more chances for the likes of Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane in the Premier League, whilst also chipping in with goals of his own.

He has produced 11 goals and 19 assists in 93 matches for Sporting and has proven that he has the quality to make a big impact in the final third, whilst Doherty has scored three times and assisted nine in 69 outings for Spurs.

Paratici and Conte must now sanction a £40m swoop for the defender in the coming weeks to improve Tottenham’s team heading into the second half of the campaign.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is unsurprisingly at the centre of transfer attention from one of Europe’s giants following his World Cup-winning campaign with Argentina. 

What’s the word?

Having reached the pinnacle of footballing success at the tournament in Qatar, the 30-year-old has found himself on the Christmas wish list of Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, according to French outlet Mediafoot. 

After signing for Villa from Arsenal in a £17m deal in 2020, Martinez has become a world and continental champion for his country, starring as first-choice ‘keeper during both tournaments while also impressing for the Villans in the Premier League.

The likes of Atletico Madrid and Juventus have also registered an interest across recent weeks, although Villa can rest easy in the knowledge that the player penned a new deal with his club earlier this year, securing his services until 2027. 

Keep at all costs

It would take an astronomical fee to prise Martinez away from the Midlands, with NSWE likely to demand a transfer fee far eclipsing what they paid to bring him to the club two years ago. 

After nearly a decade with the Gunners, Martinez joined Aston Villa having assumed a largely peripheral role across the majority of his senior career, but has since risen to prominence. 

Now managed by Unai Emery, Villa have reaped the rewards, with the Argentina hero an imposing last line of defence.

He has made 91 appearances for the club since his arrival in the Midlands, keeping 30 clean sheets and consequently earning a place within his national squad, now become arguably one of the most sought-after shot-stoppers in the game. 

In Qatar, the €25m-rated (£21.8m) star played all seven matches for his country, keeping three clean sheets, making a host of crucial saves throughout the competition and starring in two penalty shoot-outs, including the final.  

For Villa this season, as per Sofascore, Martinez has recorded a rating of 6.91 in the top flight, saving 69% of shots faced and keeping three clean sheets despite the dismal start to the campaign which saw the dismissal of Steven Gerrard and subsequent appointment of Emery.

Regarding the Bayern interest, it really would take a seismic bid for Villa to sanction the Argentine’s departure, and unless something truly remarkable materialises, there is no logical explanation for allowing such a colossal player to leave.

There is still plenty left in the tank for this “unbelievable” ace – as heralded by team-mate Matty Cash – who could maintain his place between the sticks at Villa Park for years to come.

Having appointed Emery at the helm, who has won four European trophies, Villa must utilise the growing trophy-winning pedigree within their ranks to steer their own ship towards a first piece of silverware since the turn of the century.