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Chelsea have been linked with a summer move for Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane recently but the Senegal international could prove to be the next Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Stamford Bridge.

Could Chelsea sign Sadio Mane?

According to reports from Football Insider last month, Chelsea have registered an interest in bringing the 31-year-old back to the Premier League this summer, with Bayern more than willing to cash in after his less-than-impressive first season in Germany.

Mane broke Liverpool fans' hearts by swapping Anfield for the Allianz Arena last summer but has struggled to replicate his performances with the Reds in the colours of Bayern Munich, managing just 12 goals in all competitions so far this campaign, with a 6.90 average rating from WhoScored for his performances in the Bundesliga.

He also had a bust-up with teammate Leroy Sane in the dressing room following a Champions League defeat against Manchester City last month and is now expected to depart this summer, with the Blues seemingly one possible destination for the versatile attacker.

If he were to rediscover the form that saw him contribute 120 goals and 48 assists in his time at Liverpool, then he would surely be a great addition this summer as incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino looks to amend the Blues' woes in front of goal.

However, his worrying regression at Bayern and age suggest that bringing him to Stamford Bridge this summer could see Todd Boehly repeat his mistake of signing experienced goalscorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last year.

Should Chelsea sign Sadio Mane?

Boehly parted company with millions and millions as he looked to complete a youthful overhaul at Chelsea but the only striker he signed last summer was the former Arsenal man, who had enjoyed a brief spell with Barcelona.

The Gabon international, who had also previously caught the eye with Borussia Dortmund, would hit 92 goals in his time with the Gunners but was eventually axed by manager Mikel Arteta because of issues with his attitude.

His return to England certainly hasn't gone to plan as he boasts just one goal in 15 Premier League appearances so far this campaign, with another anonymous display in the defeat against Arsenal last night compounding Chelsea's misery. During that clash, he could only manage nine touches and was subsequently hauled off by Lampard at half-time.

Now 33, the striker is being paid £160k-per-week to sit on the bench at Stamford Bridge and looks certain to leave in the near future, as he shows little sign of turning his fortunes around with the west London outfit.

Boehly would potentially have to shell out even more on wages if he were to bring Mane to the club this summer, as the former Southampton man currently earns an eye-watering £373k-per-week at Bayern.

The winger was regarded as "world-class" by Jurgen Klopp in his time at Liverpool and crashed in an impressive 16 goals in the top flight last season, which emphasises his decline at Bayern, as he now struggles to even start under Thomas Tuchel.

To sign an ageing forward who has disciplinary issues based on their previous performances in the Premier League would represent a crazy decision by Chelsea given their woes with Aubameyang, so Boehly and Pochettino must steer well clear this summer.

It is fair to say that it has been a mixed season for Liverpool to date, with the Merseyside outfit currently looking likely to miss out on Champions League qualification, albeit while enjoying recent, statement wins against both Manchester United and Leeds United.

As manager Jurgen Klopp himself has noted, the Reds are in something of a "transition" period, with a squad rebuild perhaps needed to replace their ageing, long-serving stars.

The forward line, in particular, is undergoing something of a refresh with Sadio Mane having departed last summer and with Roberto Firmino set to be on his way at the end of the current campaign – while Mohamed Salah is now into his thirties.

While the club have already moved to strengthen with the recent signings of the likes of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo, in the long-term there could also be a chance to promote a handful of exciting young talents from the youth set-up, with Stefan Bajcetic one of the more notable graduates of late.

Another starlet who has also been handed a brief chance to impress at senior level of late is 17-year-old, Ben Doak, with the "explosive winger" – as per talent scout Jacek Kulig – having made five first-team appearances since joining from Celtic last year.

While still early days in his time in England, the young Scot has already caught the attention of key individuals after being dubbed a "huge talent" by journalist Barry Anderson, while club legend Kenny Dalglish lauded the forward as "brilliant" last month.

The hope will be that the devastating talent can be the "future" of the club – as per Kulig – with there a chance for Klopp to fashion an exciting forward partnership in the years to come involving Doak and another teen sensation, Lewis Koumas.

Who is Liverpool's Lewis Koumas?

The young "all-rounder" – as per Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle – had begun life in a midfield berth although is beginning to flourish as a central striker, having scored ten goals in just ten games at Premier League U18 level.

As Doyle suggested, it was a real "statement of intent" for the prolific marksman to be handed a professional contract so soon after turning 17, with Liverpool keen to tie down their emerging superstar.

The £180-per-week ace has clearly been highly-regard by those in the know over an extended period, with his former youth coach Danny Hart having branded him "unreal" when watching the wonderkid on trial, as per The Athletic.

The promising Englishman would certainly be able to receive quality service from the aforementioned Doak if the pair were to be partnered in the first team together in future, with the latter man having been praised for his "good vision" and for "always looking for his teammates", as per Dalglish.

With the former Hoops star offering a "fearless" threat from the flanks – as per Anderson – and with Koumas showcasing his clinical nature through the middle, Liverpool could have their next standout duo on their hands, potentially going on to emulate the current partnership of Firmino and Salah.

Those two experienced figures have been integral to the success of Klopp's side in recent years, with Salah, in particular, leading the way with his devastating ability on the flanks, having scored 182 goals in 297 games for the club to date from his right-sided berth.

Like Doak, the Egyptian is also rather unselfish having provided 74 assists in that time as a marker of his creative flair, dovetailing nicely with Firmino as the latter man has operated in a centre-forward berth.

The Brazil international no doubt possesses similar traits to that of young Koumas, with the senior figure also a real threat in attack having netted 109 times in 306 games for the club, while the two forwards have both impressed due to their stellar work ethic.

In the case of the teen, the highly-rated ace was lauded by journalist Andy Kelly for having "worked his socks off" in one appearance this season, while Firmino has been praised by pundit Gary Neville in the recent past for his "unbelievable" work off the ball.

That should indicate that Koumas is an heir apparent to the departing 31-year-old, while Doak can follow in the footsteps of Salah by wreaking havoc on the flanks – a truly mouthwatering prospect indeed for Klopp and co.

West Ham United are under serious threat of relegation from the Premier League this season, with David Moyes' side slipping into the bottom three after Leeds United's win against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

The problem for the Hammers throughout the season has been putting the ball in the back of the net, as no side has underperformed on their xG more, with their return of 24 goals extremely disappointing considering their 34.42 expected goals in the Premier League.

Gianluca Scamacca and Michail Antonio have just six top-flight strikes between them, while new signing Danny Ings has so far struggled to make much of an impression, finding the net just twice in the 4-0 win against Nottingham Forest.

However, the onus should not just be on the strikers to score goals, as the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma have also disappointed in front of goal, with the wingers currently ranked as the joint-top scorers in Moyes' squad with just four apiece.

Therefore, the Scottish manager will perhaps be wishing he had former West Ham winger Dimitri Payet, with the Frenchman producing multiple moments of magic during his time with the east London outfit.

How good was Payet at West Ham?

West Ham would sign Payet from Marseille in a deal worth £10m in 2015, with David Gold suggesting that the 28-year-old was a "world-class" player in his prime when he arrived at Upton Park, which certainly seemed a fair remark given that he had contributed a phenomenal 21 assists in Ligue 1 the season prior.

He would certainly live up to that praise in his first season with the club, registering a phenomenal 12 goals and 15 assists in all competitions, as the Hammers recorded an impressive seventh-placed finish under Slaven Bilic.

These included some incredible free-kicks, notably against Crystal Palace and Manchester United, as well as a superb solo goal against Middlesbrough.

He then notched an impressive two goals and seven assists in the first half of the 2016/17 Premier League campaign, but he was not content with London life and forced a move back to Marseille in January, which understandably left Hammers fans heartbroken.

Had West Ham managed to keep Payet happy then he could've gone on to become a legend at the club, as he is still producing the goods with Marseille at the age of 35, registering an impressive 12 goals and ten assists in just 31 appearances in France's top flight last season.

Considering Benrahma has been one of few strong performers in this West Ham side this season, but boasts just four goals and three assists in the top flight, Moyes would surely have loved to have someone of Payet's quality at his disposal. What might have been.

Arsenal’s Hale End academy has churned out talent after talent over the previous 25 years, from the likes of Ashley Cole and Gael Clichy to Jack Wilshere emerging and becoming stars in the first team.

Mikel Arteta now has his own generation of youth prospects to pick and choose from, with the academy arguably having never been stronger than it has been under the Spaniard’s tenure.

Bukayo Saka, Reiss Nelson, and Eddie Nketiah have all made massive strides under the 40-year-old, yet it is Emile Smith Rowe who could perhaps be the surprise package, with his value skyrocketing.

How much is Emile Smith-Rowe worth now?

The 22-year-old has been unlucky with injuries this term, missing 13 matches in total while only playing nine matches across all competitions.

However, his sparkling form since breaking into Arsenal’s first team in the 2020/2021 season has seen his value rise, with Transfermarkt rating him at a whopping €38m (£34m).

That is a staggering 1316% increase from the start of the aforementioned campaign when he was valued at just €2.7m (£2.4m).

The Englishman made his name at Hale End, scoring 21 goals and grabbing eight assists for the U18 and U21 sides, and these numbers caught Unai Emery’s eye, thus giving him some experience in the Europa League in 2018/2019.

Two goals in four appearances in the competition was an encouraging start and loan moves to RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town convinced Arteta that Smith Rowe was ready for regular first-team football.

Last season, the attacking midfielder was in superb form, scoring ten Premier League goals, creating three big chances, making 0.9 key passes per game, and succeeding with 60% of his attempted dribbles with his attacking output was key for Arsenal.

Indeed, he ranked second behind only Saka for goals, third in the squad for shots on target per game (0.7), and fifth for big chances created.

Despite his injury this term, Arsenal have been excellent and Arteta will be pleased to have the youngster back in the squad ready to gain some vital minutes ahead of what could be the most important two months in the club’s recent history.

The £40k-per-week star certainly has an extremely bright future with former Gunners player Mesut Ozil dubbing him a “difference maker” in 2021. That was certainly a testament to just how impressive he looked upon breaking into the senior side.

Having cost nothing, Arsenal have definitely hit the jackpot with the 22-year-old and if he can recapture the form he showed last season over the next eight weeks, Arteta may well have a secret weapon he can utilise.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta would have watched eagerly from the wings after the Gunners’ U18 squad clinched a thrilling 3-2 victory over Cambridge United U18s in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals last night, with several performances from the young stars enriching the calibre of the distinguished Hale End academy.

Just as the feats on the pitch that the senior set-up is plying continue to fly high – Arsenal are top of the Premier League table after 23 matches, two points ahead of Manchester City, and with a game in hand – the youth ranks stake the claim that they deserve an opportunity to impress in Arteta’s system over the coming years.

One player in particular who stood out is robust right-back Michal Rosiak, who resoundingly scored the winning goal to ensure the squad advanced from the penultimate stage of the competition, now within touching distance of basking in the glory of silverware.

Arsenal’s right-back position is firmly and solidly occupied at present, with Ben White the first-choice option and Takehiro Tomiyasu deputising assuredly when need be, but given that the 17-year-old Rosiak may still be several years away from reaching the requisite level to play in the Gunners squad with regularity, he may yet find a place on the grass in front of the roaring Emirates faithful.

Who is Michal Rosiak?

Arteta’s reign as the manager of this exuberant and thriving Arsenal team could not have come at a better time for the likes of Rosiak, who will be steadfast in his belief that further emphatic outings will edge him ever closer to a coveted professional debut under the Spaniard.

Despite chasing glory in the Premier League, the north London outfit yields the youngest starting XI of any team in the division, which is a testament to both Arteta’s faith in youth and the quality that Hale End boasts.

Considering the brilliant job that White has forged in north London since his £50m move from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2021, it is unlikely that Rosiak will find himself earning a consistent berth in the side any time soon, especially given defensive frailties that need to be ironed out from his game.

However, once this crisp and clean new skill set reaches its zenith, Rosiak will be able to harness his gleaming attributes and play a definitive role for his side, especially given his performance last night.

Scoring a late volley to win the affair, the Polish prodigy was praised by reporter Theo Mwangi for his “very good” performance and was bestowed a 7/10 match rating by football.london for his labours.

And having scored four goals and supplied three assists from just nine outings this season, his dynamic and forward-thinking capabilities could indeed leave an arresting impression upon Arteta and co, should he maintain and build upon a solid foundation.

Rosiak is a glinted, if unrefined, gem, but still yet to enter adulthood, there is ample time to nurture his talents and usher him towards prominence slowly but surely.

And while White looks set to continue to offer a dynamic dimension to the defensive right flank, Rosiak will hope to continue to dazzle over the coming seasons and serve as the perfect understudy to his established positional peer, finally breaking through and taking to the major stage.

West Ham United striker Gianluca Scamacca will be targeting a return from injury in ‘two or three weeks’ according to injury expert Ben Dinnery.

The Lowdown: Scamacca injured

Scamacca suffered a knee injury in the 2-2 draw against Leeds United in early January, and although he initially returned off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers, he has now missed the last three games in all competitions.

Dinnery recently told Football Insider that the injury could be a sign that the Italian is ‘struggling to adapt’ to the Premier League, and the injury expert has now provided another update.

The Latest: Dinnery’s update

Again speaking to Football Insider about the injury, Dinnery explained that West Ham are using injections to accelerate the 24-year-old’s healing, saying: ““It’s a plasma treatment that concentrates the player’s platelets and injects them into the site area.

“It’s used to accelerate the healing and to quicken the body’s response.

“So that’s why West Ham decided on that particular method.

“Moyes is fairly hopeful that it will help the injury become less severe with those injections.

“But, as with any injury or setback, there are no guarantees that it will return Scamacca to full fitness straight away.

“Realistically, he’ll be targeting a return to the starting lineup in two or three weeks.“

The Verdict: Needed back

The Hammers have managed to turn their form around in the absence of the 6 foot 5 colossus, winning three of their last five games in all competitions, but back-up striker Michail Antonio has scored just once, in the 2-0 victory at Derby County in the FA Cup.

As such, David Moyes could do with a more reliable goalscorer, and while Scamacca has not been overly clinical since arriving at the London Stadium for £35.5m, he was just starting to find his feet, scoring a screamer against Leeds in his final game before injury.

The ‘wonderful’ forward, as hailed by journalist Josh Bunting, is averaging 0.4 goals per 90 minutes in all competitions, the highest amount of any player in the West Ham squad, impressive considering this is his first season in England, and he could go on to be even better if he can shake off his latest injury issue.

Arsenal could turn their attention to Martin Zubimendi as they are likely to have a second bid rejected for Moises Caicedo…

What’s the word?

The Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder has been banished from training and matches until February after he revealed his intention to leave the club before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, however, the Seagulls are holding firm with an £80m asking price despite two offers, per the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, according to The Times, the Gunners are also interested in the Real Sociedad star, who is available at a far cheaper price of around £53m, thanks to his release clause.

Mikel Arteta wants to add depth to his engine room after Mohamed Elneny suffered a fresh injury, leaving him light on options behind the likes of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, who himself was withdrawn with an issue in Friday night’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.

He’s the “new Busquets”

Whilst Caicedo is undoubtedly an immense talent and one that is proven in the Premier League, Arsenal chief Edu Gaspar could do little wrong in opting for the cheaper alternative in Zubimendi instead, particularly if it means the manager will be getting a midfielder this week instead of in the summer.

La Real’s 5 foot 11 anchorman has been dubbed as “the new Sergio Busquets” by journalist Jacque Talbot as for a long time, he has been considered the natural heir to the Spain international, having developed as a no.6 and box-to-box midfielder.

Speaking about Zubimendi’s undeniable talents, former Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso praised him by saying:

“Martin’s a player all coaches would want. He’s generous, he always thinks more about his teammates than himself. He has that ability to generate play, to make those around him better, always offering solutions; to improve the move. He understands what the next step is before the ball gets to him. He has that ability to organise, the axis.”

The 23-year-old has been a key cog in Sociedad’s push for third place in LaLiga this term, playing more minutes than any other outfield player and this has correlated into some eye-catching returns, having averaged 2.4 aerials won, 1.92 clearances and 1.5 interceptions per 90 over the last year.

This ranks him very favourably compared to other midfielders across Europe, including Caicedo who is very similar to in terms of statistical profile. Indeed, Zubimendi ranks inside the top 7%, 10% and 19% for those aforementioned statistics, all via FBref.

The Spaniard has also earned a likeness to Toni Kross, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig, who has also decried him as a “playmaker” with strong passing, vision and “tactical intelligence.”

Given the evidence above, Zubimendi could have everything that Arteta needs in a new midfielder and considering Partey’s potential absence, it’s a position that desperately needs improving before Tuesday night.

Caicedo is going to command way too big a price to get it over the line in time, so the Sociedad “baller” – as lauded by broadcast journalist Buchi Laba – is a perfect alternative at £53m. Therefore, Edu must turn his focus to signing Zubimendi with only a few days left in the window.

AND in other news, Arsenal could find their dream Partey heir with Edu “tracking” £26.5m “special talent”…

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has distinguished Angers SCO midfielder Azzedine Ounahi as the perfect addition to bolster the ranks and continue the ascension in the Premier League since his arrival in October…

What’s the word?

Ounahi has been of interest to multiple clubs following his burst onto the scene with his nation, Morocco, at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Italian journalist Ciro Venerato (via Sport Witness) previously stating that the player is talking to Villa, who are desperate to fortify their midfield with a signing of first-rate quality after failing to convince Juventus ace Weston McKennie to join the ranks.

And now, transfer insider Dean Jones – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – has stated that the Claret & Blue are firmly within the running to land the ace, and could make a move over the coming week, before the culmination of the January transfer window.

Jones said: “There’s just so much competition for him and it’s hard to tell at the moment whether they are going to win the race. I mean, they’ve probably got as good a chance as anyone in England; it’s just really a case of whether or not he definitely wants to come to the Premier League.”

Emery’s own De Jong

Ounahi left pundits waxing lyrical after starring for Morocco at the World Cup, with his ball-playing prowess and graceful poise swivelling the heads of many suitors, with Emery indeed among those enamoured.

And while the 22-year-old has been at the centre of his French Ligue 1 outfit’s struggles this term – Angers languish at the very bottom of the division – his particular set of blossoming abilities should allow him to flourish among a crop of players suited to more progressive football and ambitious schemes.

The £10k-per-week ace ranks among the top 1% of midfielders in Europe’s big five leagues for dribbles completed, the top 4% for progressive passes received and the top 7% for touches in the attacking penalty area – highlighting the all-encompassing nature of his work.

And defensively, he has also earned his place; making 1.4 tackles and one interception per match in the league this term, as per Sofascore, vital in snuffing out danger and preventing further woes for his beleaguered side.

The “technician”- as once lauded by James Marshment – is likened to FC Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong on the aforementioned FBref, with the Dutch maestro flourishing as one of the 161 showings, scoring 15 goals and serving 19 assists. 

He ranks among the top 7% of positional peers for pass completion and the top 10% for dribbles completed, also in the top 12% for shot-creating actions – with Ounahi’s similar skill-set, he can mould into a formidable force under Emery’s watchful eye.

Bearing this in mind, the £26m-valued Moroccan would be a sterling addition to an outfit on the up, and Aston Villa must do everything within their power to clinch a seismic deal to serve as the catalyst for success.

67 Hail Hail’s Hamish Carton has noticed a significant change to a report surrounding Josip Juranovic’s potential exit from Celtic.

The Lowdown: Juranovic links to Monza raises eyebrows

Writing for the Daily Mail, Stephen McGowan reported that Serie A outfit Monza were ‘pursuing’ the Scottish Premiership full-back. The report had initially said that the Italian side were ‘closing in’ on Juranovic ahead of a mooted £7m deal, though this is still the case within the article’s standfirst.

McGowan also stated that Monza would want to take him on loan with a view to signing permanently in the summer.

The Latest: Carton gives verdict on ‘major shock’

Speaking on the 67 Hail Hail YouTube channel on Monday, Carton described the latest surrounding Juranovic as ‘a major shock’ but stated his scepticism over McGowan’s report.

He stated: “Earlier today we got a major shock with the apparent news that Josip Juranovic is very close to joining Serie A side AC Monza.

“I mean, surely not.

“All of that is kind of useless because it turns out that the report we got this morning from the Daily Mail’s Stephen McGowan isn’t quite what it is now.

“Eagle-eyed employees at 67 Hail Hail Towers have noticed that McGowan actually edited, or I guess, updated his article several hours after it first went up. The most notable changes were the wording going from Monza ‘closing in’ on Juranovic to just ‘pursuing’ the full-back. He also added another paragraph about Juranovic assessing all of his options.”

The Verdict: Juranovic should set his sights higher

The Croatian has been an important player for Ange Postecoglou and Celtic this season, as shown in being one of the club’s highest-rated players on Sofascore with an average match rating of 7.19/10.

Juranovic’s progressive passing is arguably his strongest asset. He’s one of the best in Europe, according to the stats. Indeed, the 27-year-old is in the top 3% across Europe’s top five leagues, the Champions League and Europa League, as per FBref.

With that in mind, there’s no doubt that Juranovic could set his sights higher than a move to Monza. The Italian side find themselves 15th in Serie A, so we wonder why would he leave a side that consistently plays Champions League football for a mid-table side.

The Celtic man has been linked with moves to European heavyweights such as Barcelona, so he should perhaps wait for a club of a much higher calibre to make an approach for his services if he really wants a move.

Michael Beale has enjoyed a rollercoaster of a start to his career as manager of Glasgow Rangers after coming from behind in two of his first three matches.

The Gers have won all three of their Premiership games under their new head coach but had to come from 2-1 down against Aberdeen, to win 3-2, and 2-1 down to Hibernian, to win 3-2.

One issue the manager had to immediately resolve was the lack of a left-back option as Borna Barisic was at the World Cup and Ridvan Yilmaz was, and still is, injured.

He decided to switch academy right-back Adam Devine to left-back and the youngster has thrived in his new role. The 19-year-old has started all three of Beale’s competitive matches in charge of the Gers and averaged a solid Sofascore rating of 6.97 – creating six chances and winning four tackles in that time.

Rangers’ head coach could now look to the B team to see who the next Devine, or Alex Lowry, could be and one player who may already be catching his eye is left-back Kevin Ciubotaru.

Whilst the Scottish teenager is playing on his weak foot out at left-back at the moment, the Romanian youth international is a naturally left-footed player and this means that he could offer a better balance in that position instead of wanting to cut inside onto his right foot.

Ciubotaru earned a move to Ibrox by impressing at the Kinetic academy. Their co-founder, Harry Hudson, previously hailed the dynamo’s quality, saying:

“Kevin is a Romanian youth international. Plays left back or can play left wing back. Very attack-minded. Powerful runner, good dribbler, gets forward well and contributes really well in the offensive phases.”Defensively he’s worked really hard with us so he covers both those sides of his game. He’s very good aerially, a strong player with an exceptionally high ceiling so looking forward to seeing how he gets on and watching his progress at Rangers.”He has made ten appearances for the club’s youth teams in all competitions this season, including eight outings in the Lowland League and two matches in the UEFA Youth League, and this shows that he has made himself a regular for the side after making the switch to Glasgow.

The gem once compared himself to a current France international and Champions League player, saying: “I think my qualities are speed, dribbling and stamina. I style myself like Theo Hernandez from Milan, although I have a lot of work to do with my right foot. I still have a lot to learn of course.”

If Ciubotaru can replicate Hernandez’s success, with the Frenchman averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.30 at the World Cup and a score of 7.15 in the Serie A this season, then he could be a terrific player for the Light Blues.

It is now down to the Romanian talent to prove to Beale, whether that be in B team matches or in first-team training, that he deserves to be the next young player to make the leap to the senior squad – becoming Devine 2.0 by doing so.