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Burnley are thought to be closing in on a deal to sign Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the latest Burnley transfer news?

The Clarets and Vincent Kompany have been busy so far this summer, making nine signings ahead of their Premier League return which gets underway on Friday against treble winners Manchester City.

Zeki Amdouni, James Trafford, Jordan Beyer, Dara O'Shea, Michael Obafemi and Luca Koleosho have all joined the club in deals which required a transfer fee, whereas Nathan Redmond and Lawrence Vigouroux have both arrived on free transfers and Jacob Bruun Larsen has signed on loan.

More could be yet to come though at Turf Moor before the September 1 deadline, with previous reports claiming that the club were set to sign Andros Townsend following a successful pre-season stint.

Ajax winger Mohamed Daramy is another final third target and it has been suggested that a loan deal with an option to buy was close.

Berge has also been heavily linked with a move to Burnley, with Mike McGrath taking to X on Monday to say that talks have been held with the Blades over a move to Turf Moor for the midfielder.

“Burnley have held discussions with Sheffield United over a deal for Norway midfielder Sander Berge. The 25yr-old has one year left on contract and there has been interest in previous windows without a deal progressing.”

It looks as if a transfer is moving along quickly, though, with Romano sharing a further development on X. The transfer expert relayed talks claimed by McGrath and added that a verbal agreement is almost complete between the two clubs.

“Burnley are closing in on deal to sign Sander Berge from Sheffield United — verbal agreement almost completed between clubs.

“Sources guarantee medical could take place already today. Burnley started talks earlier for Berge as Mike McGrath called.”

Who is Sander Berge?

Berge, sponsored by Adidas, is primarily a defensive midfielder but can also play slightly further forward in a central midfield role if required.

The 25-year-old is valued at €20m by Transfermarkt and is into the final 12 months of his £33,000-a-week Sheffield United contract after joining the club from Genk back in 2020.

A Norway international, Berge spent time with Valerenga before joining Genk and making 113 appearances for the club. In England, Berge has turned out on 109 occasions for the Blades, scoring 15 times and registering 12 assists. He helped the club back into the top flight last season, finishing second behind the Clarets in the Championship, and was hailed by teammate John Egan, who said:

“In the second half our qualities showed. This big man here (Sander) was unbelievable. One of the best players to ever play in this division.”

Berge contributed to 11 second-tier goals in 37 appearances last season, making more progressive carries than any of his teammates and the second most progressive passes, as per FBref. Therefore, signing a top midfielder from a league rival could turn out to be a wise move by Burnley, and by the looks of things, a deal is close to being completed.

Arsenal have "entered the race" to sign Brentford's highly rated goalkeeper David Raya, with the Spaniard now preferring a move to "Arsenal over Bayern", per transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

Are Arsenal signing David Raya this summer?

The Gunners have had an outstanding transfer window so far this summer. The club have dramatically improved the quality of their starting eleven with the signings of Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice – breaking the transfer record for a British player along the way.

Alongside these brilliant signings, Mikel Arteta has secured the long-term futures of several first-team stars, such as Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Aaron Ramsdale.

That said, the former Bournemouth man's future may be a little less clear with the recent news that the north Londoners have joined the race to land the much-sought-after Raya.

Read the latest Arsenal transfer news HERE…

According to The Guardian, Arsenal are set to make an offer for the 27-year-old after Bayern Munich's loan offer was rejected, with the idea being that he would compete for the number one spot with current shot-stopper Ramsdale.

The Premier League runners-up have already spoken to the player and are now his preferred destination over the Bundesliga champions, per transfers expert Fabrizio Romano.

He explained the situation on his YouTube channel, saying:

"Arsenal have entered the race. Arsenal had contacts with the camp of David Raya, and they are considering making a bid very soon; there is still no-bid, but they could beat very soon for David Raya.

"Yes, to create competition with Aaron Ramsdale. Of course, Ramsdale is the first goalkeeper, but in case they bring in Raya, this could be a possibility to create competition between the two goalkeepers. Something to add from what I'm hearing, David Raya prefers Arsenal over Bayern for many reasons, but he would love to join Arsenal.

"It's important to say that already some discussions took place discussing about the contract and this kind of things, so Arsenal already discussed some details on the player side, [and] now [it] depends on the clubs."

How good is David Raya?

One of the constants in Brentford's meteoric rise from the Championship over the last four seasons has been that of Raya. Since moving to West London in the 2019/20 season, he has started at least 24 league games, starting all 38 last year.

Across those four years with the Bees, he has never achieved a season rating lower than 6.66, reaching a seriously impressive 6.97 last campaign, per WhoScored.

His underlying numbers are just as impressive as well, with FBref, which compares players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, placing the Spaniard in the top 6% for touches, the top 7% for crosses stopped, the top 8% for save percentage, and the top 15% for launch percentage and average length of goal kicks, all per 90.

His ability with the ball at his feet clearly left an impact on Steven Drench, who worked with him at the Blackburn Rovers academy, as he waxed lyrical about him, saying:

"His distribution is a major plus point, and being at Brentford with the style of football they play, he suits them. But he could go into any team in the top leagues in Europe and fit in quite well with the confidence he has on the ball.

"He's like an extra outfield player."

It'll be interesting to see how Ramsdale reacts to the competition should the Gunners complete the signing, but adding Raya to your team can only be a good thing.

With a return to the Premier League now on the horizon, newly-promoted Burnley are reportedly looking to strengthen their ranks with the signing of Genk forward, Mike Trésor, according to the latest speculation.

What's the latest on Trésor to Burnley?

As per Belgian outlet, Het Nieuwsblad, the Clarets are seemingly ready to rival Fulham for the signing of the 24-year-old this summer, with the chances of the two-cap Belgium international staying at his current side said to be 'very small'.

While the piece notes that the Cottagers are showing an 'interest' in the former Willem II ace, it is claimed that the 5 foot 8 dynamo remains 'on the list' of those at Turf Moor, having been linked with a move to the club earlier in the window.

Speaking back in June regarding that interest from his compatriot, Vincent Kompany, the player himself stated: "I have learned that he (Kompany) appreciates my qualities. Of course, that is nice to hear.

"He plays with Burnley with a certain philosophy in which I would feel good. For me, playing style has always been important when choosing a club."

How good is Mike Trésor?

The Lancashire side were only recently able to see the playmaker's talents up close as he was part of the Genk side that beat Burnley in Saturday's pre-season encounter, with the Pro League side running out 2-0 winners on the day.

While not on the scoresheet on that occasion, Trésor did previously enjoy a particularly fruitful 2022/23 campaign as he boasted "crazy numbers" for his current side – as per talent scout Jacek Kulig – having racked up eight goals and a staggering haul of 24 assists in Belgium's top-flight.

That "absolutely sensational season" – in the words of Kulig – came with the Antwerp native typically operating in a left-wing berth, albeit with the reported Brentford target also having showcased his ability to feature in an attacking midfield role in recent times.

A player who can provide a moment of magic in the final third – as his haul of 40 goals and assists in just 79 games for Genk illustrates – Trésor could well represent the ideal replacement for ex-Burnley loanee, Nathan Tella, with the pair noted as similar players, according to Football Transfers.

Despite Kompany's apparent desire to re-sign Tella, the Southampton starlet remains at St Mary's with the start of the new season now looming, with the 24-year-old having sparkled from the flanks last term with 17 goals and five assists in 39 Championship games.

With Trésor's tally of 32 goal involvements last term even eclipsing the Englishman, he could represent the next big attacking threat for Burnley moving forward, having notably created 22 big chances and averaged 2.8 key passes per game in 2022/23 in the league.

While seemingly more of a creator than a goalscorer, in contrast to Tella, the Belgian's ability to pose a devastating threat from his wide berth will allow him to fill the shoes of the Saints star next term, with the Clarets' other forwards likely to relish the prospect of linking up with such a quality provider.

Although Kompany may face a battle to sign the £6m-rated sensation this summer, it is easy to see why there is such clamour for his signature.

Rangers' wait to bring in Danilo from Feyenoord will have to go on it seems, with the Daily Record, via Ibrox News reporting that he will only be allowed to leave when a suitable replacement is found.

How many goals has Danilo scored?

The 24-year-old is coming into this summer transfer window off the back of a successful campaign with Feyenoord. Not only did the Dutch side claim the Eredivisie title, but the striker himself was a regular on the scoresheet. He had ten goals to his name in just 14 starts, with a further three assists to boot.

Whilst he did actually appear in a total of 34 league games – meaning most of his action came from off the bench – his total number of 90 minutes played stood at 14.8. It means he ended the campaign with a goal contribution rate of 0.88 per 90 – almost one or the other in every fixture he featured in.

It's not the first time that the Brazilian has flourished either. Before joining up with his current club, he hit 31 league goals in 39 starts for Jong Ajax, producing a similar rate to what he is at now. He was unable to feature much for the Ajax first-team though, appearing 14 times with only one start, but still bagged two goals and an assist. His prolificness doesn't stop there either – at FC Twente, he plundered a further 17 goals in 31 league starts.

Are Rangers signing Danilo?

Danilo then is a player that certainly knows where the back of the net is, and has proven as much with every team he has featured for to date. He is yet to venture away from the Netherlands for his gametime though – and that could be about to change this summer.

That's because Rangers have been desperately trying to sort out a transfer for him, with Michael Beale a big fan of the attacker. Recently, reports stated the Scottish Premiership outfit had even lodged a new bid for his services.

However, according to a report from the Daily Record, via Ibrox News, the Gers may have a wait on their hands to sign the Brazilian. That's because his current side Feyenoord are not willing to part with the 24-year-old until they have brought in an adequate replacement.

It seems they don't want to leave a gap in their own frontline and will not do business for the striker until they have managed to find a new signing. It did seem as though that was about to happen – the Netherlands club were set to sign Emanuel Emegha – but with that deal collapsing, the wait will now continue for Danilo to head to Scotland.

If the Gers can land the attacker this summer, then it could really help them take the fight to Celtic for the Scottish Premiership title. He has a proven track record of finding the back of the net when he has got onto the field and if he can find regular gametime with the club, he could be a real force for the side. They just need to get a deal over the line now for the Brazilian.

Chelsea have now submitted an opening bid for Flamengo's Matheus Franca, with Todd Boehly willing to pay the €25m (£21m) needed to secure the forward's signature, according to a recent report from Globo Esporte.

What's the latest Chelsea transfer news?

A new attacking midfielder is on the agenda for Mauricio Pochettino, with Lyon's Rayan Cherki currently being pursued, and transfer expert Graeme Bailey has claimed that members of the scouting team are "really pushing" for the 19-year-old.

Fabrizio Romano has recently reported that Franca has been followed by the Blues for quite some time, while also suggesting the player himself would be very open to the move, 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."

Now, it appears as though the Brazilian could be presented with an opportunity to move to Stamford Bridge, as according to Globe Esporte (via Sport Witness), Chelsea have now submitted an opening bid.

The Blues are not the only Premier League club to have tabled an offer for the 19-year-old, however, as Flamengo club director Bruno Spindel has confirmed that Crystal Palace have also came forward with a proposal.

It is not clear how much Chelsea have put on the table for the youngster, but it is detailed that Flamengo want €25m (£21m) to sanction his departure, and Boehly is willing to match that asking price.

One potential disadvantage the west Londoners may have in the race for the starlet is that they plan to loan him out to Strasbourg immediately, while Palace are keen to use him straight away, which could attract him to Selhurst Park.

Who is Matheus Franca?

The Rio de Janeiro-born maestro mainly plays in an advanced midfield role, but he is also very much capable of playing on both wings and at striker, so he would be a versatile option for Pochettino.

One of the forward's key strengths is his dribbling ability, ranking in the 99th percentile for successful take-ons per 90 over the past year, when compared to his positional peers playing at a similar level, while also placing in the 96th percentile for progressive carries over that timeframe.

Lauded as "highly talented" by football scout Jacek Kulig, the Flamengo star has already recorded 54 first-team appearances for the Brazilian Serie A side, despite being just 19-years-old, during which time he has found the back of the net nine times.

That said, the attacker is, as yet, unproven outside of Brazil, and it would be a risk to put him straight into the first team, so it is probably a wise move to send him out on loan to Strasbourg.

Ideally, Franca would agree to move to the Ligue 1 side on loan and develop his game further, but it would not be a surprise if he wants to play Premier League football immediately, and ends up being attracted by a move to Crystal Palace.

With pre-season now in full swing at Tottenham Hotspur, there will no doubt be those paying close attention to which players are handed a prominent role by new boss Ange Postecoglou over the coming weeks, ahead of potentially nailing down a regular starting berth next season.

Among those likely to be sparking excitement among supporters is promising full-back, Destiny Udogie, with the 20-year-old finally in place in north London after having spent last season back on loan at Udinese.

The Italy international – who was snapped up by Daniel Levy on a £15m deal last summer – has arrived at N17 off the back of a stellar season in Serie A last time out, with the 6 foot 2 defender having chipped in with seven goal involvements in 33 league games from his wing-back berth.

Having been "on fire" last term – according to talent scout Jacek Kulig – the hope will be that the youngster can replicate such form in the Premier League, with the chance for him to compete with the likes of Ben Davies for a starting role at left-back.

Udogie may not be the only previously out-on-loan player who could be handed a strong chance to impress this summer, with journalist Paul Brown stating that there could potentially be a way back for Tanguy Ndombele at Spurs, despite holding possible reservations over whether the Frenchman can put his prior woes behind him.

Speaking in an interview with Football FanCast, Brown stated:

"I'm pretty sure that Postecoglou is going to want to take a good look at Ndombele. He's obviously a huge talent. I just felt that a series of managers there never really felt they could trust him and he kind of proved them right every time he was given a chance, unfortunately.

"He is someone who occasionally will come up with a brilliant piece of skill, but I'm not entirely sure he was ever totally suited to playing Premier League football, if I'm being brutally honest. And I think it's going to be a long, hard road back for him at Spurs."

What is Ndombele's market value?

Having been signed from Lyon for a reported fee of around £63m back in 2019, the 5 foot 11 enigma has endured a rocky time of it at Tottenham so far, having notably spent the last 18 months out on loan as a marker of his slide down the pecking order.

Once branded a "disgrace" by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher due to his lack of work ethic in his early days in English football, the £200k-per-week playmaker repeatedly drew the ire of former boss Jose Mourinho, with the likes of Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte having also hardly giving him a look in.

With just ten goals and nine assists to his name in 91 appearances for the club to date, it is fair to say that Tottenham have not received value for money from the mercurial talent to date, albeit with recent reports suggesting that Postecoglou instructed the club to reject a €20m (£17m) bid from Napoli for the midfielder, after having spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan with the Italian champions.

The ex-Celtic boss has publicly stated that a permanent recall could be on the cards for Ndombele with the seven-cap ace currently "working hard" in pre-season, albeit while not going as far as to suggest that the £13m-rated man would definitely be part of the first-team squad moving forward.

If Postecoglou is to give the fleet-footed gem a shot at redemption it could prove to be a wise move, with – as Brown stated – the player undoubtedly a 'huge talent', hence why Levy splashed the cash on him in the first place.

That is the view of Arsenal-bound midfielder, Declan Rice, at least, with the Englishman having previously lauded his Spurs counterpart as a "top player", while also describing him as a "street footballer", due to his unique, instinctive style.

As such, while with the likes of Udogie it is the chance to make a strong first impression next term, for Ndombele, he could well have warranted one last opportunity to prove his talents at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2023/24.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are in desperate need of a striker this transfer window, with goal-scoring woes that could be eased by Elye Wahi.

The Montpellier striker was linked to the Old Gold earlier this summer, and could remain as a possibility for Julen Lopetegui to target following Wolves’ sufficient sales amounting to almost £80m.

Could Wolves sign Elye Wahi?

In the latter stages of June, journalist Mohamed Toubache-Ter claimed that the Midlands club held ‘real’ interest in the Montpellier sensation.

Valued at €35m (£30m) by his club via Foot Mercato, the striker could depart Ligue 1 this summer, with news emerging today revealling that he has received interest from fellow Premier League representatives Chelsea, as per L'Equipe.

How good is Elye Wahi?

Wolves are in desperate need of a striker, as communicated by them cementing themselves as the Premier League’s lowest-scorers last season, having netted just 31 goals in 38 games.

Lopetegui’s side – inherited from Bruno Lage – averaged only 0.82 goals per match, with their favoured striker Raul Jimenez failing to net a single goal in his 15 game campaign.

Lauded as “incredible” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Wahi scored over half of the number of goals the entire Wolves side last season, netting 19 goals in Ligue 1 at the age of 20.

In 33 appearances in France’s top-tier, the Courcouronnes-born gem contributed to 24 of his side’s goals, adding five assists to his individual goal tally to show his threat in the final third, via FBref.

The 20-year-old could be the perfect addition at Molineux, in a player that oozes a clinical swagger and a potency going forward, which are exactly the attributes that Lopetegui requires to bolster his squad this summer.

The Premier League houses some of the best strikers in Europe, and Wolves could harvest their own goal machine in Wahi, who has already been compared to one of the league’s top scorers based on his statistics.

As per FBref comparisons, the Frenchman is comparable to Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson, who ended his individual term as the league’s fifth-highest scorer, with 18 goals for the Magpies.

Wolves could land their own answer to Wilson in signing Wahi, in a player who could be fundamental to the club’s overall form, just as the Englishman has been in the North East.

Newcastle secured Champions League football with a fourth-place finish, with the help of Wilson’s goals spurring them to new heights.

Wahi could act in the way that Wilson has for Newcastle, with the 20-year-old averaging similarly to the Englishman in terms of average goals per 90, registering 0.64 non-penalty goals to the 31-year-old’s 0.72 per 90.

Having already experienced the Premier League highs to secure a European place, Wolves know just how important it is to have a competent figure leading the line, just as Jimenez once did, scoring 30 goals over his first two seasons in the league.

At the age of just 20, Lopetegui could reignite the flame in the attack at Molineux by signing the Montpellier gem, who has shown signs that he could cause havoc leading the line when called upon.

Celtic have agreed a £2.1m transfer fee with Gangwon FC for forward Yang Hyun-jun, however, a move is proving complicated.

What’s the latest Celtic transfer news?

It has been a busy few weeks off the pitch at Parkhead, which began when Ange Postecoglou left the cub to join Tottenham. Since then, Brendan Rodgers has been brought in for a second stint in charge of the Hoops, and new signings have been made.

The first player to arrive was midfielder Odin Thiago Holm, who joined from Eliteserien club Valerenga and signed a five-year contract in Glasgow. As well as Holm, Australian winger Marco Tilio has also penned a five-year deal with the Hoops, joining from Melbourne City.

There has been a major departure, though, with star winger Jota joining Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad in a deal worth £25m.

More attacking additions could be on the cards as a result, with Yang a player who has been linked with a move to Parkhead. Reports last month claimed that Celtic made a significant transfer offer for the K-League winger, with journalist Jason Lee saying:

“According to Korean media, Celtic have sent an official transfer offer to Gangwon FC for Yang Hyun-Jun. The offer is believed to be "significant and final" as Celtic await Gangwon's response. The player is eager to move to Celtic.”

There has now been a further update from Football Scotland, who say that Celtic and Gangwon have in fact agreed on a £2.1m deal which includes a 12% sell-on clause.

The player is keen to move to Scotland, however, Gangwon are now stalling over a deal as they believe Yang could help them avoid relegation. Gangwon want to keep their forward until January when their season finishes, but Yang is even willing to give up his salary to push through a move to join Rodgers’ side ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Who is Yang Hyun-jun?

Yang is primarily a right-winger who can also play on the left or through the middle, so would bring plenty of versatility to Rodgers’ attacking options and may rival current right-wingers James Forrest and Liel Abada, although the latter of the two has been linked with a move to Sporting Lisbon.

He was described as “excellent” and a “level above” in the media following a pre-season display against Tottenham last year and has contributed to 14 goals in 69 senior appearances for Gangwon.

The 21-year-old is under contract until the end of 2025 and has been described as an unpredictable and eye-catching player in the media, labelled as Gangwon’s up-and-coming star last year by the K League media.

Celtic have enjoyed plenty of success by bringing players in from the Asian market over recent years, and it looks as if Rodgers is keen to continue looking in that direction. Former manager Postecoglou signed the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda, Reo Hatate and Oh Hyeon-gyu from Japan and South Korea, and with a deal agreed for Yang, hopefully, he’ll be the next to arrive in Scotland.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their plans to bolster their attacking options in the summer transfer window…

What's the latest on Federico Chiesa to Newcastle?

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has revealed that the Magpies are tracking Juventus winger Federico Chiesa ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The reporter has stated, however, that they are not in official talks with the Serie A club over a deal for the Italy international at this moment in time.

It is also claimed, in Di Marzio's attached article, that fellow Premier League side Aston Villa are interested in the attacker, although the player is said to be uninterested in a move to Unai Emery's team.

This comes as Newcastle prepare to complete the signing of Chiesa's international teammate, Sandro Tonali, from AC Milan for €70m (£60m) on a six-year deal.

How did Federico Chiesa perform last season?

The 25-year-old attacker, who is still fully working his way back from the ACL injury he suffered at the start of 2022, showed signs of promise in his limited Serie A game time for Juventus.

He only started six league matches for the Old Lady and was able to contribute with an impressive two goals and five assists from out wide, whilst also being involved in two goals in three Europa League starts.

However, if Eddie Howe can get Chiesa back to the form he displayed in 2020/21, the £153k-per-week ace could represent a big upgrade on current left-winger Allan Saint-Maximin.

The Italian dynamo, who former teammate Gianluigi Buffon once hailed as "impossible to stop", averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.19 across 33 Serie A outings and chipped in with nine goals and nine assists, to go along with 18 'big chances' created in 2020/21.

His ability to score, as well as create goals and quality opportunities on a regular basis made him a constant threat on the left wing in a major European league for Juventus – and Saint-Maximin has never been able to hit those heights on Tyneside.

Since arriving at St James' Park in 2019, the Frenchman has never created more than eight 'big chances' in a single season, while his best return in front of goal came when he scored five and assisted five in the 2021/22 Premier League campaign.

The 26-year-old forward has never proven himself capable of delivering goals and assists on a regular basis for the Magpies during his time in England, so the club could now land an upgrade on him by signing Chiesa.

Whilst the Juventus magician has had a difficult couple of years due to injury, his form prior to suffering a devastating ACL injury suggests that this is a gamble worth taking for Howe and Newcastle, as they could end up with a terrific successor to Saint-Maximin.

Newcastle United are interested in signing Feyenoord centre-back David Hancko this summer as manager Eddie Howe looks to bolster his squad after an immense season in the Premier League.

What's the latest on David Hancko to Newcastle?

That's according to French publication Foot Mercato, who claim that the Magpies have 'inquired' over the Slovakian's availability following Feyenoord's triumphant Eredivisie campaign, winning the league for the first time since 2017.

It's said that Newcastle technical director Dan Ashworth has taken information on the matter and will assess the club's options before deciding whether to lodge a formal offer.

The Dutch champions signed the 25-year-old for just one year ago, but the player's expected transfer value currently sits at just £7m.

Who is David Hancko?

It is no coincidence that Hancko's arrival at De club aan de Maas coincided with their return to silver-laden prominence, and after making 50 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and supplying five assists, the 27-cap international has certainly been the centrepiece of a "successful" season – as he has been described by analyst Kabat Marek.

Ranking among the top 1% of centre-backs across Men's Next 8 divisions – below the top European five – for assists, shot-creating actions and progressive passes, the top 2% for progressive carries and the top 3% for tackles per 90, as per FBref, Hancko could well be Newcastle's immediate answer to Jurrien Timber, who looks poised to join Arsenal.

According to Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg, the Gunners are "on the verge" of completing a deal for Ajax's star centre-back, who has been hailed as "special" by talent scout Antonio Mango and could emerge as one of English football's new standout stars.

Timber is listed as a comparable player to Hancko on FBref and it's easy to discern why. The Dutchman ranks among the top 1% of positional peers for pass completion, progressive passes and progressive carries, the top 6% for successful take-ons, the top 3% for shot-creating actions and the top 16% for assists per 90.

Signing the £15k-per-week Hancko is surely a brilliant move for Howe to make as he looks to consolidate the Magpies' position as a new European force, matching Arsenal in their new defensive addition and ensuring that territory is not ceded – indeed, next year the onus will be on leapfrogging the north London giants and edging closer towards a title challenge.

Hancko is a top "talent" – as he has been called by Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna – and given that the dynamic defender can also play on the left side of the defence, he would surely be a brilliant signing to aid Newcastle in their continuing ascension.