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Aston Villa remain interested in Barcelona star Ferran Torres, with Unai Emery reportedly eyeing a move for the 23-year-old forward.

With Monchi on board, it’s expected to be a busy summer in the Midlands, with news reemerging linking the former Manchester City gem with a move to Villa Park.

The player was first rumoured to be one to watch for the Villans by journalist Graham Bailey back in May, who stated via The Talking Transfers Podcast that Villa could move for the Barcelona ace.

Fast-forward to now, and it’s been speculated that Emery’s side are ‘considering’ a loan move to lure the 23-year-old away from Catalonia, with a €25m option to buy rumoured.

That’s according to reports from Spain, where Mundo Deportivo relayed Villa’s interest in the forward last week, as per Sport Witness.

The report claims that despite the proposed approach for a loan, Barcelona may be more attracted to an immediate sale due to their ongoing financial worries, despite the player speculated to be against a ‘change in scenery’.

With Pau Torres nearing a permanent move to the Midlands, the signing of the impressive centre-back could inspire Monchi to raid La Liga once more in the bid to improve Emery’s attack.

What could Ferran Torres offer to Aston Villa?

At just 23-years-old, Torres has gathered adequate experience for his age in representing some of the continent's top clubs in Manchester City, Barcelona and Valencia.

Rising through the ranks of Valencia’s academy, the then 20-year-old signed for Pep Guardiola’s side in 2020, where he scored 16 goals in 43 appearances for the Sky Blues, as well as getting his hands on two Premier League winners medals.

Adhering to a more sporadic role for the Citizens, the £165k-per-week winger showed his versatility in attack when called upon, featuring as both a wide player and a central striker with a particular eye for goal.

The youngster opted to return to his homeland just a year and a half after arriving in Manchester, signing for the Catalan giants in the 2022 January window.

Similar occurrences have happened at the Camp Nou, in which the Spaniard has fallen down the pecking order to talents such as Raphinha and Ansu Fati, finding it difficult to secure continuous game time.

The forward could be a perfect addition to Emery’s squad, who are looking to add high-profile names to the side this summer after securing a spot in Europe next season.

The Premier League has an abundance of dynamic wingers on show, with Torres being likened to one star in particular based on his statistical comparisons by FBref, showing similarities to Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, a player Emery coached in north London.

Emery could obtain his answer to the 15-goal Brazilian in the Spaniard, who has recorded similar numbers to the Gunners starlet over the past year.

When comparing the two, it’s clear to see just what Torres could equip Villa with, averaging 0.39 non-penalty goals per 90, just shy of Martinelli’s average of 0.41.

A similar pattern is notable in the Spaniard’s threat on the ball, with him being lauded as “magnificent” by former teammate Dani Parejo, praise that's reflected by averaging an impressive 1.96 successful take-ons per 90.

That is incredibly close to Arsenal’s trickster with Martinelli averaging 1.97 successful take-ons per 90 as per FBref, showing the calibre of player Villa could find themselves possessing this summer.

Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun has issued Mikel Arteta "an ultimatum" regarding his future at the club, claims journalist Paul Brown.

Arsenal transfer news – what's going on with Folarin Balogun?

After an unbelievable season with Ligue 1 side Stade Reims last year, Arsenal have a decision to make regarding the future of the exciting American prospect.

The New York-born player has made it clear to the wider footballing world that after getting a taste for regular first-team football in France, he doesn't want to go back to being a backup option, nor does he want to spend another year on loan – he either wants the number nine spot in North London, or he wants to leave, permanently.

While there was an assumption that this was how he felt after his comments about feeling "appreciated" upon switching his national allegiance to the US, it was made crystal clear after he spoke to reporters following a USMNT game.

"What I can say is that I definitely won't go out on loan again."

With Arteta favouring Gabriel Jesus as the team's main number nine, a sale of the player is now probably the most likely outcome, and with the price tag reported to be only £35m by football.london, there are plenty of suitors.

According to FootballTransfers, West Ham United have made the signing of the American star a 'priority' this summer as they look to solve their goal-scoring problems.

Outside the Premier League, Leipzig are said to be keen on the player, as are Champions League runners-up Inter Milan and cross-city rivals AC Milan.

Adding to all the drama, Balogun recently Tweeted “It is time!” alongside an egg timer emoji before then deleting the post from social media.

What has journalist Paul Brown said about Folarin Balogun's situation?

Brown made it clear that a decision must be made regarding Balogun this summer and that decision has almost been forced upon the club by the player himself as he is desperate to be the main man somewhere.

Speaking to Football FanCast, he said: "He did kind of issue them with a bit of an ultimatum by saying that he does not want to go out on loan again next season. So, it was kind of a play me or sell me really statement from Balogun, as he has thrown the gauntlet down to Arteta, and it'll be interesting to see what he does."

How good was Folarin Balogun last season?

All of this attention and speculation has come about as a result of a fantastic season for the American last year.

In just 37 Ligue 1 appearances for Reims, Balogun scored a seriously impressive 21 goals and assisted another three, giving him a goal contribution on average every one-and-a-half games.

According to WhoScored, he averaged a rating of 6.90 across those 37 matches, making it perhaps unsurprising that Arteta referred to him as "special" earlier this year.

The underlying numbers back up the Spaniard's assessment as well.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, he sits in the top 7% for non-penalty expected goals, 9% for total shots, and 19% for touches in the opposition's penalty area.

It certainly looks like the US national team have a world-class talent on their hands, and whichever team takes him off of Arsenal's hands could have a bright future spearheaded by the American.

Chelsea have been following Flamengo's Matheus Franca for quite some time, with the attacking midfielder "really appreciated", according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

What's the latest Chelsea transfer news?

The Blues are clearly keen on strengthening their attack this summer, with it recently being reported they are preparing to make their first move for Juventus forward Dusan Vlahovic, with an initial bid of at least €65m (£56m) now in the works.

With Kai Havertz joining Arsenal in a deal worth £65m, Mauricio Pochettino could look at signing Lyon's Rayan Cherki as a replacement, and reports from France detail that he could be available for a fee of around £43m this summer.

Transfer insider Dean Jones believes Cherki would be a great addition to Pochettino's squad, and he has suggested the midfielder could be available this summer, recently telling GiveMeSport:

"He’s right on the money when it comes to fitting Chelsea’s profiling and he is a great player, but what makes this one more interesting is that Lyon are open-minded about offers."

Chelsea have their eye on several talented young midfielders, with journalist Ben Jacobs recently telling Football Fancast they may be the club to "move first" for Celta Vigo's Gabri Veiga, despite interest from a number of top Premier League sides.

In an interview with GiveMeSport, Romano has now confirmed that Franca is a target for the Blues, and the transfer expert suggests the Flamengo star would be open to a move to Stamford Bridge, saying: "Matheus Franca is really appreciated. He is a player that they have been following for a long time.

"I can mention that the player will be really excited about the possibility of joining Chelsea."

Who is Matheus Franca?

The 19-year-old from Rio de Janeiro has primarily featured as an attacking midfielder for Flamengo so far, however he has also been given the nod on both wings, and at striker, showcasing his versatility.

Football Scout Jacek Kulig has hailed the Brazilian for his ability to play in multiple positions, saying: "Great midfielder, great striker, he can play almost everywhere. One of the most exciting teenagers in Brazil at the moment."

Kulig has also described the starlet as "fantastic", and it is clear to see why, given the level of some of his performances over the past year, ranking in the 98th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90, when compared to players competing at a similar level.

Not only that, the youngster has also demonstrated he is willing to pitch in with the defensive side of the game, placing in the 81st percentile for tackles completed per 90, and in the 82nd percentile for clearances.

The attacking midfielder's first-team experience is still very limited, and he is yet to test himself in Europe, so he may be regarded as a signing for the future, rather than someone who could make an instant impact at Stamford Bridge.

However, Franca is exhibiting very promising signs in a Flamengo shirt, and he could be a very exciting long-term addition to the squad.

Leeds United are believed to be interested in signing Nottingham Forest attacker Emmanuel Dennis this summer, according to a fresh transfer report.

Who is Emmanuel Dennis?

The Reds attacker is currently 25 years of age, but having joined his current club from Watford last summer, his first season at the City Ground proved to be disappointing. Dennis, primarily a centre-forward who can also play out wide, only managed to start six of Forest's 38 Premier League matches, also coming on as a substitute on 13 occasions, and just two goals came his way in the competition.

There is clearly lots of competition for places at the Midlands club currently, having signed so many players in recent transfer windows, and it could be that the Nigerian is deemed surplus to requirements ahead of the start of the 2023/24 season.

With Leeds looking to make some significant signings in the near future, allowing Daniel Farke to build a squad that can secure promotion straight back out of the Championship, it appears as though Dennis could be a target.

Could Leeds United sign Emmanuel Dennis?

According to Football Insider, Leeds and the 49ers Enterprises are keen on signing Dennis this summer, seeing him as a replacement for Crysencio Summerville:

"Leeds have identified Emmanuel Dennis as a potential replacement for Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto, sources have told Footballer Insider. Both players are expected to leave before the end of the window following the Whites’ relegation to the Premier League season. As a result, Leeds are currently running background checks on Dennis before advancing with a transfer.

"Dennis had tough campaign last season and Forest are prepared to let him leave which Leeds are aware of. The Premier League side also has a bloated squad and are willing to sell Dennis in order to strengthen their own attack."

Dennis, who has lost all three matches against Leeds, may have flattered to deceive in a Forest shirt over the past 12 months, but he could be an excellent signing by Leeds, as they prepare for their return to the Championship.

He could find it far easier to make his mark in the second tier, however, he did hit double figures in the Premier League for Watford in 2021/22, so he could thrive being the main man in Leeds' attack, coming in as a key starter and acting as a strong replacement for Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford, both of whom could move on this summer.

The fact that Dennis has tasted Premier League and Bundesliga football down the years in the past can only be a good thing, in terms of experience and potentially firing in a weaker division, and the Whites would be signing an eight-cap international with one goal to his name for Nigeria.

Adept at shining both centrally and out wide, the Forest man has been described as "very talented", "fast" and someone with "good skill" by former Premier League title-winning Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri, further highlighting the attributes that he could bring to Farke's side, making him one of the Championship's most dangerous attacking players.

Reports tethering Liverpool's attention to Real Madrid's Federico Valverde are not going away, and Jurgen Klopp could make his move for the Uruguayan dynamo over the coming weeks.

Is Fede Valverde leaving Real Madrid?

Recent rumours from Spain claim that Liverpool are 'obsessed' with the prospect of signing Valverde, and that they are preparing a bid of €80m (£69m) to secure the star's services.

Granted, this seems unlikely with the Reds already completing deals for Alexis Mac Allister (£35m) and Dominick Szoboszlai (£60m), but with Los Blancos' midfield somewhat overloaded, Klopp will be at the forefront of the suitors should he truly be made available.

And with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both heading for the exit at Anfield, Liverpool might be tempted into entering formal negotiations for the 25-year-old, who has been instrumental to the LaLiga giants' success over the past several years.

How good is Federico Valverde?

Liverpool's priority will focus on securing the services of a new first-rate holding midfielder, and while this will take centre stage, Valverde could complete the club's midfield and flourish in the Premier League with his dynamic abilities and unrelenting intensity.

Having made 204 appearances for Real, the 49-cap Uruguay international has plundered 18 goals and 15 assists – with 19 direct contributions coming last term.

Hailed as "untouchable" by manager Carlo Ancelotti one year ago, Valverde has gone from strength to strength and now ranks among the top 7% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 15% for assists and the top 9% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

Such a progressive, burgeoning midfielder would provide a fresh dimension to Liverpool's midfield, a cutting edge to unlock the attacking quality of a squad desperate to return to prominence following a fall from grace last season, and he could be the solution to unleashing the full scale of his compatriot Darwin Núñez's talents.

Arriving from Benfica for a club-record £85m last summer, the 24-year-old endured a turbulent ride and was harangued at times for his profligate shooting, having been branded "too wasteful" by club legend Robbie Fowler.

Irrespective of this, he remains a first-rate talent and still ranks among the top 12% of forwards for goals and the top 6% for progressive carries, though he does also rank among the top 1% for non-penalty xG and total shots per 90, which underscores his blunted cutting edge.

The £140k-per-week Uruguayan could yet be refined and shaped into a striker of the highest distinction, however, and with Valverde driving the ball into the final third behind him, the link-up play could prove to be a resounding success.

Indeed, Valverde has gone somewhat under the radar despite revelling in success under Ancelotti's stewardship, with Joe Cole saying last year: "He's standing right at the top of the tree with Bellingham in the young players, and he's on the verge of becoming the best.

"He's box-to-box, he scores goals, he's a technician he was the unsung hero in the final, I thought he was outstanding against Liverpool."

Whether Klopp and co decide to part with a lucrative sum yet again remains to be seen, especially considering the likelihood that the next move will be for a No. 6, but should Valverde arrive, he would undoubtedly be a sensational signing.

There has been an update regarding Manchester United's pursuit of Fiorentina playmaker, Sofyan Amrabat…

What's the latest on Amrabat to Man United?

Following reports that an "agreement" has been reached with the 26-year-old regarding personal terms, Sportitalia have claimed that the Red Devils have 'presented' an offer to the Serie A side, with a fee of around €35m (£30m) having been suggested.

The piece notes that the Moroccan international is now just 'one step away' from joining the Old Trafford outfit, with the player himself said to be 'ready to leave' Florence in order to make the move to the Premier League.

The former Club Brugge ace – who worked under Erik ten Hag previously at FC Utrecht – currently has just a year left to run on his existing contract, thus allowing United to wrap up a deal without breaking the bank.

What is Sofyan Amrabat's style of play?

While Ten Hag began his summer spend by acquiring Mason Mount from rivals Chelsea, it looks as if the former Ajax boss is seeking to bolster his midfield ranks even further, particularly with the likes of Fred and Donny van de Beek facing uncertain futures at the club.

With Mount set to bring extra "dynamism" to United's midfield in an attacking number eight berth – in the words of his manager – the addition of Amrabat is seemingly set to help solve a different need, with the Netherlands-born ace set to offer a composed, ball-playing presence in front of the back our.

In many ways, the "underrated" talent – as described by writer Muhammad Butt – takes on a similar role to that of Jorginho at Arsenal, and before that at Chelsea, with the two men both said to share a number of stylistic and statistical similarities, according to FBref.

That likeness between Amrabat and the Italy international – who also made the move to England from Serie A – can be seen by how they typically operate in a deep-lying midfield role and are unlikely to bomb forward too regularly, with the Fiorentina star ranking in just the bottom 6% among his European peers for touches in the attacking penalty area, while the ex-Napoli man ranks in just the bottom 28% in that regard.

What that disciplined nature does is allow the pair to attempt to dictate the tempo of the game in the centre of the park as well as look to get the ball forward to the more attack-minded talents where possible, with Jorginho notably ranking in the 9% for attempted passes and the top 11% for progressive passes, while Amrabat ranks in the top 11% and the top 8% for those same two metrics, respectively.

The beauty of having such assets at the base of the midfield is that they also rarely play their team into trouble or squander possession, with Amrabat and Jorginho ranking in the top 5% and the top 15%, respectively, for pass completion as a sign of that innate composure.

That comparison to the latter man is of note as it was not too long ago that the Brazil-born maestro was dubbed the "best midfielder in Europe" by ex-United boss, Jose Mourinho, with the 31-year-old having also claimed the UEFA Men's Player of the Year award back in 2021.

The experienced asset did endure his early teething problems while at Stamford Bridge – having suffered early criticism from Blues supporters following his arrival from Naples in 2018 – although has since come out the other side to prove the doubters wrong.

For Ten Hag to find his own version of the Champions League winning playmaker in the form of Amrabat could then represent something of a coup, with the 6 foot 1 gem also offering the benefit of having an added edge to his game, having been branded "a raging bull" by Moroccan journalist, Amine El Amri.

With Jorginho having made a success of himself in the Premier League, perhaps the 49-cap ace can too.

All affiliated with Newcastle United can look ahead to the forthcoming campaign with great zeal, considering manager Eddie Howe has navigated his outfit away from the lower echelons of the Premier League with a fourth-placed finish last term.

Indeed, Champions League football now awaits the club, and while the Magpies have taken circled flight, they are yet to consolidate their newfound stature with a continuation of the recent successes.

As momentous as the past year has been, multiple outfits fell by the wayside and the competition will ostensibly be tougher come August, but with the likes of Sandro Tonali and winger Harvey Barnes already arriving, the St. James' Park side are clearly making the right moves.

The defence has yet to have been bolstered, however, and Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi is among the candidates as Howe searches for the apt defensive move to continue the ascent.

Who could Newcastle sign?

According to Caught Offside, Guehi is on the club's list as they assess the best way to better the previous campaign.

Football Insider have claimed that a massive bid of £60m would be enough for Palace to grant negotiations with the Tyneside team.

With Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all also considering a move, reports the Evening Standard's Nizaar Kinsella, the Toon must swiftly determine whether to forge ahead with a bid and strike before their rivals.

How good is Marc Guehi?

Newcastle completed the 22/23 term with the league's joint-best defence – conceding 33, alongside Champions Manchester City – which might leave some onlookers questioning whether reassembling the current crop of defenders is a necessity.

Sven Botman arrived from Lille on a deal worth around £35m last summer and has almost been infallible, having been hailed for his "incredible impact" by pundit Leon Osman, but Fabian Schar might be deemed expendable, with the 31-year-old Switzerland international entering the final year of his contract.

Guehi, aged 23, could prove to be a superlative heir to Schar's position in the team and could complement the no-nonsense style of Botman to a tee, especially considering the £50k-per-week titan has performed so admirably for the Eagles.

Described as a “tank” of a defender by goalkeeper and former England U21 teammate Josef Bursik, the 6-foot machine recorded an average Sofascore rating of 6.94 in the Premier League last term across his 37 outings, completing 85% of his passes, making 3.6 clearances per game and succeeding in 68% of his ground duels.

For comparison, Botman averaged 3.3 clearances per game and also succeeded in 68% of his ground duels, completing 87% of his passes.

For two central defensive partners to both boast such an innate ferocity and robustness bodes very well indeed for the club's prospects of success this season, as does their progressive passing capabilities, if indeed Howe and co do succeed in getting a deal for Guehi over the line.

Having been called “incredible” by BBC Sport’s Alex Howell, the Palace titan could reinforce an already mighty Newcastle defence with an iron-clad grip, creating one of English football's most fearsome partnerships by linking up with Botman.

Burnley are now closing in on a deal to sign Troyes forward Wilson Odobert, having had an offer of €11m (£9.4m) accepted by the French club, according to a recent report from Foot Mercato.

What's the latest Burnley transfer news?

Ahead of his side's return to the Premier League next season, Vincent Kompany is looking at bolstering his attacking options, with a move for Genk attacking midfielder Mike Tresor still on the cards, according to reports from Belgium.

The Clarets have also been linked with a move for Southampton striker Che Adams, who may be keen on an immediate return to the top flight, following the Saints' relegation from the Premier League last season, with Everton and Nottingham Forest also keen.

A bid of £9m was also tabled for former loanee Nathan Tella, who played an important part in the Lancashire club's promotion from the Championship in the 2022/23 campaign, however it was immediately knocked back by the Saints.

Kompany is still running the rule over potential alternative options from abroad, and Foot Mercato have now reported that Burnley's €11m (£9.4m) offer for Odobert has been accepted by Troyes.

After a promising first season in Ligue 1 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, the young winger has attracted the interest of the Clarets, and they now appear to be closing in on his signature.

Sport Witness have also relayed the report from Foot Mercato, and they have added their own information, stating that Troyes' relegation from Ligue 1 last season has definitely helped Kompany bring in the 18-year-old for a cheaper ee.

It remains to be seen whether Burnley are able to agree personal terms with the Troyes starlet.

Who is Wilson Odobert?

The winger came through the youth ranks at PSG, making six appearances for the French champions in the UEFA Youth League, during which time he managed to score three goals, however he made his first-team breakthrough with Troyes last season.

In the 2022-23 campaign, the Meaux-born forward, who can play on both wings and in advanced midfield, weighed in with four goals and two assists, which is a decent return considering it was his first season of men's football.

Journalist Andres Onrubia Ramos praised the attacker for the impact he made for Troyes early on last season, lauding him for his "extraordinary quality", while also claiming that he is "very skilled" in 1v1 situations.

Football commentator Robbie Thomson has hailed the Troyes star as "outrageously talented", indicating he could be a quality long-term addition to the Burnley squad, so it is exciting news the move now appears to be close.

Of course, the Frenchman does not have any Premier League experience up to this point, which will be a minor concern, and he is still only 18-years-old, so it is definitely a risk for Kompany to bring him in.

However, Odobert fits the mould as another promising young signing for the Clarets, who have already brought in the likes of Zeki Amdouni, Michael Obafemi and James Trafford, with Kompany clearly keen to build for the future, rather than focussing solely on survival next season.

Liverpool are still interested in signing Andre, and Fluminense's Copa Libertadores match this evening could dictate proceedings, according to an update from reliable journalist Neil Jones.

Do Liverpool want to sign Andre?

The Reds are slowly running out of time to make further midfield reinforcements in the current transfer window, having started the summer so impressively with the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Since then, Liverpool's business has stalled significantly, with three bids rejected for Southampton youngster Romeo Lavia, not to mention seeing the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson depart Anfield after legendary spells there.

Read the latest Liverpool transfer news HERE…

Andre is another player who has been linked with a move to the Reds this summer, with the 22-year-old a key player for Fluminense and someone who could be a strong option to replace Fabinho in the No.6 role, along with Lavia.

The fact that the Brazilian season is in full swing does make a move tricky, however, with Fluminense reluctant to let such an important player leave midway through the campaign. Now, a new update has emerged regarding the situation – one that may give Liverpool fans some hope.

What's the latest news on Andre to Liverpool?

Speaking on Empire of the Kop's Substack, Jones provided an update on the Reds' interest in Andre, revealing the Copa Libertadores clash against Argentinos Juniors on Tuesday evening (11pm UK time) could play a role:

"Andre is certainly a player that Liverpool are looking at, and if Fluminense were to go out of the Copa Libertadores this week then that could be a situation that moves.

"He’s a different kind of player to Lavia, but one that has attributes that Liverpool like – namely, a bit of bite and a strong mentality. I could see that becoming an option in the coming weeks, or maybe a deal being set up for January."

This is certainly a positive update, in terms of Liverpool still seeing Andre as a possible summer option, at a time when they simply must do some more business in the middle of the park.

Granted, midfield was a big problem last season, with so many individuals either past their best of injury-prone, but having disposed of plenty of dead wood, they are now in a position where they look horribly short of options.

Liverpool are going into Sunday's Premier League opener away to Chelsea with no recognised defensive midfielder in the squad, and it looks as though either Mac Allister or Curtis Jones will take up that role, which is far from ideal, considering what a tough fixture it could be.

The hope is that Andre and Lavia both arrive in the next week or so, solving the defensive midfield issue in an instant, but the way the Reds have gone about things this summer does leave a lot to be desired, and it would be no shock to see the situation not properly addressed by the time deadline day arrives.

The Fluminense man could be an exciting signing, having already been capped once at senior level by Brazil, not to mention already appearing 145 times for his current club, despite still only being 22 years of age.

West Ham United are running out of time to rebuild their squad after a long summer of high-profile outgoings, and now a new update has emerged on a potential transfer target.

What's the latest on West Ham's interest in Folarin Balogun?

According to The Independent's Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney, the Hammers are in the race to sign Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun.

As per a report written for the publication, Delaney has claimed that the Irons are emerging as the main competitors to secure Balogun's signature alongside Monaco who are also interested, with a Premier League move looking like the most attractive prospect for the player.

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

It is noted that the Gunners have set a price tag of at least £40m, with West Ham one of the few clubs in a position to meet the valuation.

How good is Folarin Balogun?

Despite an extremely slow start in the transfer market, the East London club have finally secured their first new addition with Edson Alvarez joining to bolster the midfield presence.

David Moyes will surely be thrilled that reinforcements are now being acquired and will have a much clearer assessment of what is needed over the remaining weeks of the transfer window when he leads his team out in their Premier League opener against Bournemouth tomorrow.

Whilst the spotlight has been on the replacement for generational talent and club captain Declan Rice, there is definitely room for improvement in several key areas of the pitch and particularly in the forward line, due to the departure of Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta – the Italian having scored just three league goals last season.

As a result, the signing of Balogun could be a great piece of business for the Hammers this summer and would certainly bolster the quality in the attacking threat, especially if the Arsenal star could emulate his performances and output from last season whilst on loan with Stade de Reims.

Over 37 Ligue 1 appearances, the 22-year-old – once hailed a "real talent" by Reims manager Will Still – scored 21 goals, registered two assists and created eight big chances, as well as averaging one key pass and 1.6 shots on target per game.

Not only that, Balogun ranks in the top 10% of his positional peers across the top five European leagues for shots on goal and progressive passes received, whilst ranking fourth in the entirety of Ligue 1 for goals scored and carries into the penalty area, as well as ranking third for shots in total, as per FBref.

Owing to his keen eye for goal, the Arsenal outcast could form a dream partnership with Jarrod Bowen next season in the final third, as the winger's creativity, consistency and selfless approach to his game could provide the USA-born striker with numerous opportunities to convert chances.

Last season, the West Ham talisman proved on many occasions across all competitions how influential he can be in the final third with 13 goals and eight assists tallied up, so combining Bowen and Balogun's tenacity in front of goal could be a nightmare for opponents.

Cutting in from the right wing onto his preferred left foot, the Englishman could well be the man to provide quality service to the Gunners ace, having notably created nine big chances in the league last season – the most of any player in the West Ham squad.

With that being said, if the Irons could get a deal over the line for Balogun it would put the team in a great position to compete comfortably this season and could allow Moyes to significantly improve the attacking threat following Scamacca's departure.