Transfer rumors, news: Chelsea eye 18-year-old striker Tzimas

1 week ago 2

ESPN

Dec 17, 2024, 10:00 AM

Chelsea are interested in signing 18-year-old PAOK striker Stefanos Tzimas, while Arsenal have identified Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoumé as a midfield target. Join us for the latest transfer news, gossip and rumors from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

- Chelsea are interested in signing 18-year-old striker Stefanos Tzimas, who has scored seven goals in 13 league matches while on loan at 2. Bundesliga side FC Nürnberg from PAOK Saloniki this season, according to Sky Germany's Patrick Berger. Nürnberg are set to pay his €18m release clause to sign him, but will then look to move him on quickly for a profit, with Chelsea, Aston Villa, Stuttgart and Newcastle all competing.

- Arsenal have identified Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoumé as a replacement for Thomas Partey, according to Football Transfers. Partey will be 32 next summer, when he contract at the Emirates is due to expire. France U21 international Agoumé is almost a decade younger, and has been a regular starter for Sevilla since joining them from Inter Milan in January.

- An agreement over a new contract is close between Liverpool and winger Mohamed Salah, reports Marca. The Premier League club are reported to be much closer to meeting the 32-year-old's demands with their latest proposal, and there is belief that an agreement could be announced before the end of the year. Saudi Pro League clubs are continuing to monitor the situation of Salah, who registered an assist in the 2-2 draw with Fulham on Saturday.

- Real Madrid will forgo signing a right-back in January to prioritise a move for Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, reports AS. It is reported that while the LaLiga side are keen to reinforce the right side of their defence following recent performances, the club's hierarchy are "adamant" that they would prefer to make a move for Alexander-Arnold in the summer rather than find a stop-gap in the next transfer market. The 26-year-old will enter the final six months of his deal in January when Los Blancos will be able to make an official offer through a pre-contract agreement.

- Newcastle United are set to compete with Liverpool and Arsenal for the signature of West Ham United forward Mohammed Kudus, reports the Daily Express. The Magpies are reported to be interested in the 24-year-old, though the St. James' Park hierarchy believe that they will need to move players on first before approaching for him, and could look to part ways with Miguel Almirón. Kudus played 75 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Monday, and previous reports have indicated that an offer worth £90m would be required to land him.

EXPERT TAKE

ESPN's resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen explores a move for Stefanos Tzimas.

Tzimas is understandably attracting plenty of interest following a magnificent run of form. Having joined Nürnberg on loan from reigning Greek champions PAOK in the summer, the 18-year-old has scored seven goals in just 13 outings. While no stranger to many scouts, his rise has been rapid and Tzimas has yet to stake his claim for an undisputed slot with the Greece U21 national side, though chances are that he'll soon be fast-tracked into the senior side.

A closer look at Tzimas' profile quickly reveals why he's in demand. With the body structure of a developing centre-forward, he also possesses the change of pace to threaten a high defensive line, combined with some promising early signs that he can grow into the No. 9 role with clever flicks and lay-offs -- particularly when forced away from the attacking goal.

Yet it's what he does in the attacking box which stirs up most interest. Tzimas reads the traffic in the penalty area exceptionally well, often sniffing out chances and acting quickly to get to rebounds first. When advancing on the goalkeeper he's got a thing for a chipped finish. And he also strikes the ball well from distance, while his well-coordinated leap makes him a natural target for crosses.

Furthermore, his general determination and innate enthusiasm are also factors that deserve mentioning. At times, he creates danger by simply picking up the ball deep in the attacking half and by darting forward -- head down, through surges of acceleration and fine balance rather than sublime dribbling skills -- he can break lines in a rather unsophisticated but efficient manner. Not only do those bursts create havoc, but he draws fouls too.

OTHER RUMORS

- Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who is now playing in Saudi Arabia for Al Ittihad at the age of 36, is considering retiring at the end of the season. (Relevo)

- Raheem Sterling is determined to continue his season-long loan spell at Arsenal despite starting only four matches since joining from Chelsea in the summer. (The Standard)

- Liverpool are monitoring young Sunderland forward Trey Ogunsuyi. The 18-year-old Belgium youth international has scored seven goals in eight appearances at youth level and has been named in matchday squads for the senior sides in the Championship. (Daily Mail)

- AC Milan defender Theo Hernández does not want to leave the club any time soon amid reports that the France international could leave in January, according to his agent. (Sky Sports)

- Sporting CP are in talks to renew the contract of Japan international midfielder Hidemasa Morita for a further two years to June 2028. (A Bola)

- Premier League strugglers Southampton after considering an approach for Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Röhl to replace Russell Martin, who was fired on Monday. (The Times)

- Talks over a new contract between striker Dusan Vlahovic and Juventus have come to a halt. Chelsea and Arsenal are waiting to see if they can make a €70m offer to persuade him to leave. (TEAMtalk)

- Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, 38, is set to extend his contract for another year. (Sky Germany)

- Tomás Araujo's new contract at Benfica includes a release clause worth €80m. (Fabrizio Romano)

- Galatasaray are working on a move for Roma striker Paulo Dybala as a replacement for the injured Mauro Icardi. (Gianluca Di Marzio)

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