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Celtic would find it 'tough' to finance a deal to sign Leicester City midfielder Wilfried Ndidi this window, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

Will Celtic sign Wilfried Ndidi this summer?

Last month, The Daily Mail reported that Celtic were interested in making a move to sign Ndidi this summer following Leicester City's relegation to the Sky Bet Championship.

In 2022/23, Ndidi made 30 appearances for the Foxes in all competitions, as per Transfermarkt; however, he couldn't help to prevent Leicester City's slide into the English second tier despite his best efforts.

According to WhoScored, the 26-year-old still got through plenty of work in the engine room, making around 2.3 tackles per match in the Premier League.

Brendan Rodgers left Leicester City by mutual consent back in April and has since taken over at Celtic, bringing in Marco Tilio and Odin Thiago Holm as his first two additions of the window.

The Scottish Sun understand that the Irishman has a transfer kitty of around £30 million to play with between now and the close of play in the market, signifying that some high-profile signings could be likely to walk through the door at Parkhead.

Nevertheless, transfer insider Jones thinks that Celtic would struggle to finance a deal for Ndidi to bolster their midfield despite his obvious links to Hoops boss Rodgers.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Jones said: "Tough deal to do, in the best of times. I think financially and just through the links to Rodgers and Leicester being too obvious for me. I haven't heard anything that actually properly stands the story up. So again, it's one I'm holding with caution right now."

Who could Brendan Rodgers look to recruit at Celtic?

Given that Ndidi earns around £75,000 per week at Leicester City and would likely cost a significant transfer fee, Celtic will probably shift their focus to alternative targets as Rodgers looks to keep the Hoops at the top of Scottish football.

Names linked have been few and far between as the 50-year-old coach examines his squad in a pre-season training camp in Portugal; however, Celtic will surely spring to life in the next few weeks and start adding quality in key positions.

According to Ukrainian outlet Sport Novyny via 67 Hail Hail, Celtic are among the leading candidates to land Shakhtar Donetsk winger Tete, who spent last season on loan at Leicester City, as he intends to leave the club due to fears over his safety in the region.

Young Boys midfielder Fabian Reider has also been tentatively linked with a move to Celtic this summer; nevertheless, it is unclear how much these rumours have been substantiated as excitement over potential new arrivals reaches fever pitch in the Scottish media.

Football Scotland understand that Celtic have agreed a fee with Gangwon for talented winger Yang Hyun-jun, though they are keen to hold on to him for now due to being embroiled in a relegation battle and want to retain his services until later this year.

Working under the radar, it wouldn't be surprising to see Celtic announce some big arrivals in the not-too-distant future as they prepare to defend their Scottish Premiership crown in 2023/24.

Arsenal transfer target Jurrien Timber is set for a medical "in the coming days" as the Gunners agree an initial £34 million deal for his signing, according to reports.

Who are Arsenal signing this summer?

After weeks of talks, rejected bids and discusions over payment structure, Mikel Arteta is said to have finally sealed a move for West Ham United star Declan Rice.

The north Londoners have reached a compromise over the details of payment, with Arsenal set to give the Hammers an initial £100 million over 24 months for the midfielder.

The agreement includes a further £5m in add-ons as renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano also gives his famous "here we go".

Rice's arrival is set to hand Arteta a major boost as the Spaniard looks to seriously contend for another league title next season, while Germany international Kai Havertz has already been confirmed in a deal worth £65 million from Chelsea.

“Kai is a player of top quality," said Arteta upon his arrival.

"He has great versatility and is an intelligent player. He will bring a huge amount of extra strength to our midfield and variety to our play.

“We welcome Kai and his family to Arsenal Football Club and we are all excited to start working with him when we start pre-season training soon.”

Ajax defender Timber, who has been targeted by transfer chief Edu as a versatile, elite defensive option, looks to also be nearing a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal have now reached an agreement for the Netherlands international, and if all goes to plan, he will become their third major signing of the window after Havertz and Rice.

That is according to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth, who had an exciting mid-week update for Arsenal supporters on their pursuit of Timber.

"Just been confirmed to us in the past few minutes, Arsenal have now got an agreement in principle with Ajax to sign the defender Jurrien Timber," said Sheth (via Football Daily).

"The deal is worth an initial €40 million (£34m), plus a further €5 million (£4m) in performance-related add-ons.

"He's expected to have a medical in the coming days, and then finalise those personal terms, which effectively have been agreed as well.

"He's been a long term target for Arsenal. you'll remember last summer that Man United tried to sign Jurrien Timber, but Arsenal have been keeping an eye on him for a number of months, he will be signed predominantly as a right-back.

"I think Mikel Arteta really wants to strengthen that backline."

Why have Arsenal signed Timber?

The 22-year-old played more Eredivisie minutes than any other Ajax player last season, highlighting his real importance to them, with no other regular averaging a better passing accuracy (91.7%).

Seemingly a composed ball-player, Timber could slot into Arteta's fluid system perfectly, and the exciting young defender has received plenty of plaudits.

Journalist Antonio Mango, writing on Twitter last year, even claimed he is a "generational superstar".

"I can’t describe just how good Julien Timber is," wrote Mango.

"Only 20 years-old & been Ajax most reliable and consistent player this season. Mr Versatile.

"Along with Antony, he’s been Ajax POYT. Generational Superstar."

An interesting development has emerged on Glasgow Rangers and their chances of landing a deal to bring Malik Tillman back to Ibrox for the 2023/24 campaign…

What's the latest on Malik Tillman's future at Rangers?

According to Sport1, via Sport Witness, the Light Blues are still in with a chance of securing a swoop for the USA international on another loan next term.

The report claims that Bayern Munich are willing to sanction another temporary deal for the young attacking midfielder after they decided to activate a clause that stripped the Scottish giants of their €6m (£5m) option to sign him permanently.

However, there is said to be interest from Premier League teams and that could make it difficult for Michael Beale to convince the 21-year-old magician to come back in the summer transfer window.

How did Malik Tillman perform last season?

Tillman enjoyed an incredible campaign with the Gers and his impressive performances for the club mean that the manager could get Ibrox rocking by snapping up the exciting talent again.

Rangers supporters would surely love to see him back in a blue shirt in 23/24 as the Bayern prodigy has already proven himself to be an exceptional option at Scottish Premiership level.

The right-footed whiz averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.09 across 28 league appearances and made a huge impact in the final third, whilst playing out wide and as a number ten.

He scored ten goals and created 12 'big chances' for his teammates throughout the Premiership campaign. Meanwhile, Ryan Kent – on the other flank – scored three goals and provided his fellow attackers with nine 'big chances' in 29 outings for the Light Blues prior to his move to Fenerbahce this summer.

The USMNT starlet also endeared himself to the supporters with his work rate out of possession and willingness to get stuck in for the team. No Rangers player averaged more tackles per game (two) in the top flight than Tillman and this shows that the hard-working wizard is able to provide usefulness on and off the ball.

These statistics, of his ability at both sides of the game, indicate that the 21-year-old prospect would be able to hit the ground running next season as he already knows what it takes to be a consistent performer for the club.

Therefore, Beale could delight the Ibrox faithful by signing the £13k-per-week ace, who was hailed as "phenomenal" by teammate John Lundstram, for a second loan spell this summer due to his pre-existing relationship with the supporters and his proven quality on the pitch.

West Ham United are set to make their first offer for Fulham's Joao Palhinha, according to reports…

West Ham transfer news – What's the latest on Joao Palhinha?

As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Hammers are set to make their initial approach to Fulham for the services of their midfielder Palhinha.

"West Ham are preparing their first approach for João Palhinha. Not an easy deal with Fulham but he's top of the list for West Ham to replace Declan Rice," the Italian journalist tweeted.

The recent confirmation from Irons chairman David Sullivan that club captain and midfield powerhouse Declan Rice would be leaving the club made the signing of new midfielders crucial this summer.

However, the east London outfit aren't the only side interested in the Fulham man.

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa are keen to bring the player to the Midlands and are 'willing to pay' the reported £60m asking price to get the deal done.

Would Joao Palhinha be a good signing for West Ham?

The short answer to this question is simple, yes.

However, whilst he would certainly replace the defensive output of Rice and then some, he won't replace the attacking threat the Englishman produced.

For example, according to FBref, Rice has created 2.75 shot-creating actions per 90 this season, whereas Palhinha has only created 0.87. The same trend can be seen with take-ons, where the West Ham man attempts 1.73 take-ons per 90 and the Fulham star just 1.13.

The Hammers need to be realistic and look to sign a couple of players that, as a collective, can help the team move on from the departure of Rice.

With all that said, the former Sporting CP man has been fantastic in his debut campaign this year and would certainly go a long way in helping stabilise a new-look Claret and Blue midfield.

His biggest attribute this year has undoubtedly been his tackling numbers, tackling a whopping 147 players, the highest number across Europe's top five leagues by 19, per FBref.

Even more impressive is that these aren't just wild lunges at the opponent, as according to FBref, he is in the top 1% of players for tackles won in the top five leagues, per 90.

His constant involvement in the defensive side of the game hasn't gone unnoticed by his teammates either, with his midfield partner Harrison Reed referring to him as a "tackling machine."

Former players and pundits have been singing their praises for the player as well this season, with former Fulham man Steve Sidwell saying: "He has been absolutely sensational this season."

One of the top-flight's greatest centre-halves, Rio Ferdinand, has also been enthralled by the player, saying: "You need someone like that in front of you as a defender."

He isn't just a bruising machine at the centre of midfield, either. He has the ability to score the occasional wonder goal as well, with journalist Josh Bunting describing him as an "artist" for a particularly stunning finish during his time in Portugal.

It is also worth adding that despite the hefty fee that will inevitably be required to get this deal done, Palhinha's relatively modest wage of £50k-per-week in west London shouldn't be too much of an issue for the Hammers to improve upon.

West Ham would be making a very smart decision if they go and get Fulham's Portuguese star as David Moyes' perfect Rice replacement, but they better get a move on, as he won't be at the Cottage for long.

أقيمت اليوم الإثنين، 4 مواجهات قوية في أولى لقاءات دور الـ 8 بـ دوري الكرة الطائرة الممتاز رجال للموسم المحلي 2023/2024، والذي يقام على صالة اتحاد الشرطة.

شهدت لقاءات اليوم فوز الأهلي على إيسترن كومباني بنتيجة 0/3، فيما فاز الزمالك على طلائع الجيش بنتيجة 1/3.

تصنيف فرق دوري رجال الطائرة قبل قرعة دور الثمانية

وحقق سبورتنج الفوز على الاتحاد السكندري بنتيجة 2/3، كما فاز بتروجت على سموحة بنتيجة 0/3.

ومن المقرر أن تقام المباراة الثانية، يوم 21 فبراير الجاري، وفي حالة التعادل سيتم اللجوء لمباراة فاصلة تقام يوم 22 من الشهر ذاته.

يذكر أن مباريات دور الـ8 في الدوري للسيدات والرجال، تقام بنظام البلاي أوف 3.

من ناحية أخرى، كان قد قرر مسئولو اتحاد الكرة الطائرة برئاسة ياسر قمر تعديل موعد منافسات سوبر السيدات ليقام يومي 24 و26 فبراير الجاري بدلا من 29 فبراير و1 مارس المقبل.

وخاطب مسئولو اتحاد الكرة الطائرة الجهات الأمنية من أجل حضور 2000 مشجع فى مباراة السوبر المحلي للرجال والسيدات، المحدد له الأسبوع المقبل، خاصة في النهائي، بواقع 1000 مشجع لكل فريق.

ويقام سوبر الرجال يومي 25 و27 فبراير الجاري، بمشاركة فرق الأهلي والزمالك وطلائع الجيش وبتروجت.

Manchester United want to sign Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund this summer, having been impressed with the striker's performances throughout the 2022-23 campaign, according to a report from Football Insider.

What's the latest Man United transfer news?

Man United have recently been dealt a potential blow in their pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane, who is believed to be the club's top target, as chairman Daniel Levy is unwilling to sell him to a direct Premier League rival.

Even though Kane's contract has just one year left before expiry, Levy is prepared to risk losing the England captain for free, meaning the Red Devils may need to turn their attentions elsewhere, having also been linked with Napoli's Victor Osimhen.

Earlier this month, it was reported that United were lining up to sign the Nigerian, but he will not come cheap, as it is detailed that Napoli are set to hold out for €130m (£113m), so Erik ten Hag could be forced to look at other options.

According to a report from Football Insider, Man United now want to sign Hojlund as a potential alternative to Kane and Osimhen, with the £11k-per-week marksman wowing Old Trafford scouts throughout the 2022-23 season.

Should they fail in their pursuit of Kane, the Red Devils are ready to move for the 20-year-old, who now features highly on the wanted list ahead of the summer window, courtesy of an impressive breakthrough season in the Serie A.

Who is Rasmus Hojlund?

Hojlund only signed for Atalanta back in August 2022, but he is already being linked with a move to Old Trafford due to his goal-scoring exploits for Italy and Denmark this season, netting nine goals for Atalanta and five for Denmark.

Hailed as an "absolute monster in the making" by football scout Jacek Kulig, the starlet has enjoyed a solid first season in the Serie A, having adapted to the higher level quickly, and all the signs indicate it won't be long before he gets a big move.

That said, you could argue that Man United need to bring in a striker who will immediately be ready to transform the club back into title contenders, and Kane fits the bill, scoring a remarkable 30 Premier League goals this season.

With better players around him, the sky really is the limit for the 29-year-old, and he should undoubtedly remain Ten Hag's top target, even if a deal currently appears to be unlikely, but it's good to see that the club have contingency plans with a potential swoop for Hojlund.

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc who beat Saqlain Mushtaq’s 19-year record to become the fastest ever to 100 ODI wickets has played down the landmark

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Aug-2016

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who beat Saqlain Mushtaq’s 19-year record to become the fastest ever to 100 ODI wickets, played down the landmark and described it as “something he could sit back and reflect later”.Starc achieved the feat in his 52nd ODI when he had Dhananjaya de Silva skewing a catch to midwicket off a deceptive slower delivery in Colombo on Sunday. Starc did not concede a boundary and finished with figures of 3 for 32, which laid the foundation for Australia’s first win of the Sri Lanka tour.”I guess it’s [being the fastest to 100 ODI wickets] something I could sit back and reflect on later on,” Starc said following Australia’s three-wicket win. “Quite frankly I’m glad it’s finished now, I don’t have to hear about it or talk about it anymore. I was just glad I could contribute to a win tonight. I guess it was a scrappy game, and once the series is finished or later down the track I could reflect on.”Starc was Australia’s lone bright spot during the 0-3 defeat in the Test series in Sri Lanka, taking 24 wickets at an average and strike rate of 15.16 and 25.80. No other bowler has picked up 20 or more wickets in a Test series in Asia at a better strike rate than Starc’s. He generated reverse swing from over the wicket as well as from around the wicket, which affirmed his status as one of the fiercest fast bowlers. Starc said the presence of former South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald as the side’s bowling coach was “fantastic”.”I have enjoyed working with AD through this tour,” Starc said. Obviously worked with AD in the IPL [with Royal Challengers Bangalore] in the last couple of years and hopefully will in the years to come. Through this tour, he has been fantastic for us, his knowledge of playing in Sri Lanka, talking about reverse swing, it has been fantastic.”Starc also credited Donald’s predecessor Craig McDermott for setting him on track for the 2015 World Cup, where he returned 22 wickets at 10.18, the best average in a World Cup for a bowler who took at least 15 wickets. Starc ultimately bagged the Man-of-the-tournament award.”It [the turnaround in white-ball cricket] was work done before the World Cup with Craig McDermott especially, maybe 12 months prior to the World Cup and tinkering on a few things – my wrist [position] and swinging the ball and a tri-series [against India and England] before the World Cup,” he said. “I think everything started to click and it all felt really good. Then obviously the World Cup was a pretty special period for the whole group and for me it was nice just to get the ball in the right areas more often than I probably had in the past. The one little period that will always stand out was the World Cup. That was very special not just for myself but for the whole squad and the staff. That is probably going to be a hard one to top.”

ScorecardSteven Patterson recorded career-best figures•Getty Images

At a time when a potential home Test debut for Scott Borthwick against Pakistan has been widely floated, it is perhaps inevitable that the Durham wicket that gained most attention was the one where Steven Patterson just vaguely stood there at the end of his run and happened to get in the way.Borthwick, who began the match with a Championship average top side of 80, has had a prolific season, in contrast to the current incumbent as England’s No. 3, Nick Compton, who has mustered 151 runs at 16.77 in a troubled season for both Middlesex and England.Patterson, one of the stingier bowlers around, was probably silently berating himself for allowing Borthwick something as self-indulgent as a front-foot drive when the ball was parried at mid-off by the diving Andrew Gale. Borthwick first held the pose – as if displaying his England credentials for a dozing photographer – then sensed a single, aware that Gale is carrying a few niggles and is a bit exposed in the field these days.But there was a Patterson roundabout to negotiate and Borthwick was still a foot short of the crease, sliding in on his knees, when Gale’s direct hit struck the stumps. The physio had to come on to give Gale attention, but it was only a graze and he was safe in the knowledge that he had pronounced he has not become an automatic single just yet.That was England affairs done and dusted, Borthwick left to curse a scorecard showing two runs in six balls. Attention turned to the Championship, the arena in which, day in day out, Patterson proves his worth. This time, with career-best figures of 6 for 56 to celebrate, and Durham dismissed for 172, he might get a share of that headline.Chris Rushworth, who two seasons ago took nine wickets in an innings, did his best to upstage Patterson late on, serving up a draught of local defiance. Shaven pate shimmering in rare evening sunshine, he claimed all four Yorkshire wickets to fall, including Alex Lees for 71 and Patterson, loping out as nightwatchman, for a second-ball duck, to leave Gale and Gary Ballance playing charily for the close.With the bat, Jack Burnham stuck it out, his 49 from 134 balls representing a mature contribution in a decent first full season, showing the sort of resilience that is expected from this Durham side, no matter how inexperienced. He drove pleasantly at times, but he never drove Patterson, wisely settling for suspicious pushes into the leg side.”Patto does what Patto does,” his coach, Jason Gillespie, is fond of saying. He does not so much hit a length as beat it into submission at speeds just above the motorway speed limit, but not quite fast enough to make the camera flash. But when he hits the seam he can change lane as sharply as the best of them. On a nibbly Chester-le-Street seamer, he was a permanent irritation: as nagging as a wasp in the kitchen, the thing you can’t quite remember, the noise in the car you can’t quite place.Every team needs a Patto, someone to throw the ball to when the pressure is on, and for Yorkshire the pressure was at maximum. They have four senior pace bowlers absent – Jack Brooks, Ryan Sidebottom, David Willey and Liam Plunkett (the latter with England) – their hugely promising fast bowler, Matt Fisher, is plagued by hamstring trouble, and England have also called up the legspin of Adil Rashid.Add Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, and Yorkshire had eight missing in all. Two seamers were on Yorkshire Championship debut, Ben Coad and Josh Shaw, although Shaw had at least had some experience at Gloucestershire, where he has been called back from an intended season’s loan.With one point separating Lancashire, Durham and Yorkshire at the top of Division One, the table is a triumph for the north, although this being the north, the did curb its regional pride with the observation that Lancashire are in a false position.Durham were reasonably placed at 74 for 2 when Patterson struck for the first time with his second ball after lunch, having Mark Stoneman lbw, pushing well forward. Then came a run of 3 for 8 in 18 balls: Michael Richardson edged a brute of a ball which spat off a length; Paul Collingwood, who seemed intent on breaking him early, managed one cover drive but then mistimed a wide one to backward point; and Ryan Pringle’s off stump was removed as he groped forward.Coad and Shaw both acquitted themselves well, and Tim Bresnan produced a decent delivery of his own to have Usman Arshad caught at the wicket, but Gale ran Patterson for 14 overs in all, a spell broken by lunch, his value never more apparent. A brief second spell went unrewarded before Gale turned to him again after tea and he ended the innings courtesy of two off-side catches. A bowler just doing his job, and doing it well.

Everton entered the Amex Stadium on Monday night with more than their fair share of trepidation.

It seeped from the travelling Blue bus; it pervaded from the anxious, but cacophonous away support; it clung to the determined Everton players as they took to the pitch, who knew the magnitude of the task ahead of them – defeat against one of the Premier League's most fluid and high-octane outfits in Brighton & Hove Albion was simply not an option.

Manager Sean Dyche knew this, of course, but trepidation is not an emotion that nestles into the former Burnley boss's mind.

Five previous trips to Brighton had been triumphant for the Clarets, with Dyche at the helm, who extended his unbeaten record at the ground to six matches with an utterly enthralling and emphatic 5-1 thumping.

The Toffees produced one of the 22/23 season's finest displays of counter-attacking football, seamlessly transitioning from the defensive thirds upon winning the ball, fiercely rebuffing the Seagulls' swoops.

Everton ascended from the relegation zone with their victory, now with a two-point cushion over 18th-placed Leicester City, and while the work is not done with three games to go, it was a galvanising win of the most resounding fashion.

There were so many pleasing performances, Dwight McNeil the salient choice after scoring two goals, making one assist and being bestowed a 9.9 Sofascore rating, while Abdoulaye Doucoure scored a brace that showcased his turnaround in form.

However, the return to form for Dominic Calvert-Lewin cannot be understated either, and indeed underpins the route to success for Dyche's men, illuminating a pathway to prominence once again.

How is Dominic Calvert-Lewin playing?

It has been, to put it lightly, a testing couple of seasons for Calvert-Lewin, who has been decimated by injuries and consequently unable to demonstrate anything close to his full potential for the Toffees.

The 26-year-old has missed 32 matches of competitive action since the start of last term, a stricken period coinciding with Everton's stark decline that has left both this season and last engulfed in the shadow of the relegation zone.

But against Brighton, Calvert-Lewin reaffirmed his stature as one of the most industrious and efficient talismanic forces in the English top-flight, with one scout & analyst saying that he "makes the difference again. Unbelievable footballer."

Playing the pass for Abdoulaye Doucoure's early opening strike on the south coast, the £100k-per-week gem recorded a match rating of 7.3, as per Sofascore, complementing his assist with success in nine of his 13 aerial battles, winning two of his four dribbles and exhibiting his defensive desire by making four clearances.

Calvert-Lewin is a gulf away from the free-flowing, prolific form he will covet. Still, undoubtedly, acutely aware of his previous exploits in scoring 21 goals in the 20/21 campaign and rising to the fore under Carlo Ancelotti's wing, invaluable in helping the Blues record a tenth-placed finish on 59 points – just three points behind Tottenham Hotspur in a European-qualifying spot.

Though he embodies the grit and tenacity Dyche demands of his players, ranking among the top 5% of forwards across Europe's big five leagues for aerials won and the top 16% for clearances per 90, as per FBref.

He scored a penalty in Everton's preceding fixture, a 2-2 relegation battle against Leicester City, and is indeed beginning to reacclimatise to life in the thick of Premier League action.

It comes at the perfect time, and he could yet play a defining role in the conclusion of Everton's turbulent campaign. He is looking a man reborn, indeed.

Arsenal have made contact with Wolfsburg defender Ridle Baku about a summer move to the Emirates Stadium, according to journalist Christian Falk.

Do Arsenal need a defender this summer?

The Gunners have the joint-second best defensive record in the Premier League this season, having conceded just 27 goals, with William Saliba impressing so much that contract talks have been underway for quite some time.

Ben White has been solid in an unconventional right-back role, making 33 appearances in that position this season, however Mikel Arteta is a little light on back-up options for the Englishman, and so he could enter the market this summer.

Arsenal tried to sign Ivan Fresneda in the January transfer window, but they will be forced to wait until the summer, and TEAMtalk report they will make another approach for the Spanish youngster at the end of the season.

Fresneda is not their only option at right-back, however, with Falk telling CaughtOffside that Baku has "got the call from Arsenal", but they are not the only Premier League side to have made contact with the Wolfsburg ace.

Chelsea made a call of their own during the January transfer window, while there is also expected to be suitors from abroad, as Villarreal want to make a bid in the summer.

The journalist does not give any details about whether any progress was made in discussions with the player, but the Gunners are definitely interested, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops over the coming weeks.

Would Ridle Baku be a good signing for Arsenal?

Hailed as "outstanding" by former Mainz manager Sandro Schwarz, the 25-year-old would have a lot to offer Arsenal going forward, given that he ranks in the 98th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90 in the past year, compared to other full-backs.

The four-time Germany international has amassed five goals and one assist in the Bundesliga this season, highlighting his attacking threat, and he has been versatile enough to slot in at right-midfield when required.

Not only that, but there is also an indication the £33k-per-week right-back would be solid defensively, ranking in the 98th percentile for blocks per 90 in the same timeframe, averaging 1.97, while White has averaged just 1.43.

Arsenal are short on numbers at right-back, and Baku would be an excellent addition, largely due to his talent going forward, which would be very useful for Arteta in certain games.