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West Brom's chances of signing Omari Hutchinson this summer have just been handed a huge boost, with The Athletic reporting that he has been left out of Chelsea's pre-season squad.

How many games has Omari Hutchinson played for Chelsea?

The 19-year-old attacker has already made his league debut for Chelsea, but has yet to really assert himself or push into the first-team picture on a regular basis with the Blues. Even that showing came only last season and lasted for just 23 minutes – showing that, whilst he is highly regarded, he is currently unable to get regular gametime at Stamford Bridge. Instead, the midfielder has had to make do with minutes for their reserve side and did likewise with Arsenal before joining Chelsea.

However, when he has been able to get onto the field for the club's youth outfit, he has impressed. In 21 games for the Blues' reserves last season, he managed seven goals and eight assists. That meant a record of 15 goal contributions in just 20 lots of 90 minutes – or a rate of 0.75 goal contributions per 90. It meant that Hutchinson, when he played, was good for either a goal or an assist every other game.

Are West Brom signing Omari Hutchinson?

Now, having yet to be sent out on a loan to an EFL side, he could get the opportunity with West Brom in 2023/24. Birmingham World reports that there could still be interest in adding the player to their squad this summer from the Baggies, with the Championship side having held a previous interest in snapping up the midfielder. However, it also adds that they will not be the only side wanting to try and secure a deal for Hutchinson this transfer window.

Now, according to The Athletic, West Brom may have been handed a boost in their efforts to get a deal done. That's because he has been left out of Chelsea's pre-season squad that is heading to America – and it states that it could be because they are trying to sort out loan moves for the youngster. If that is the case, it means that the winger is available on a short-term deal this summer and with the Baggies keen, it does appear as if a deal could be possible now. As yet though, no official bid has been tabled for Hutchinson.

Even though he has not yet managed to break into the first-team picture with Chelsea, he has already been given some high praise by one of his former bosses. Graham Potter allowed Hutchinson to play during a friendly in 2022, whilst the World Cup was being held. It led to the manager stating that the youngster was "dangerous" and continually asked questions of the opposition defence, also adding that he was "really, really good".

Hutchinson then has already caught the eye – and that's why West Brom want to try and sort out a short-term deal. If he is given regular football with them, it could continue to bring the best out of the exciting young talent next season.

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

What's are the latest Man United transfer rumours?

Having got the transfer window underway with the signing of Mason Mount on an initial £55m deal, the Red Devils now look to be turning their attention to both Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund from Inter Milan and Atalanta, respectively, in their bid to bolster Erik ten Hag's ranks ahead of next season.

Now, according to Sky Sports Germany reporter, Florian Plettenberg, the Old Trafford outfit are also stepping up their interest in another Serie A star in the form of Amrabat, with the transfer insider revealing on Twitter:

"ManUtd is monitoring Sofyan #Amrabat very closely. At this stage, it’s not advanced but first talks took place. #MUFC. Understand, that it could become a hot topic later in this window. He’s also on the list of FC Bayern. But nothing concrete at this stage."

This follows claims made by the 26-year-old's brother, Nordin, who suggested that Ten Hag – who coached the Morocco international at FC Utrecht – is "charmed" by the player, with a potential €30m (£26m) deal on the cards.

How good is Sofyan Amrabat?

The Netherlands-born maestro notably came to wider attention after helping to guide his country to the last four of the World Cup in Qatar, having arguably been the "best midfielder" at the tournament, according to journalist Amine El Amri.

Also lauded as a "great footballer" as well as being a "raging bull", in the words El Amri, the £32k-per-week ace could well tread a similar path to another quality midfield asset to have arrived in Manchester from Italy, in the form of Juan Sebastian Veron.

Although the latter man's time at the Theatre of Dreams was ultimately rather brief as he departed for Chelsea in 2003 after joining from Lazio on a £28.1m deal two years earlier, he had still made a telling impact under Sir Alex Ferguson, having been lauded as a "world-class player" at the time by teammate Ryan Giggs.

Like Amrabat – who was a "colossus" on the international stage last year, according to pundit Stuart Pearce – Veron had come to wider attention after helping the Rome outfit to Scudetto glory in the 1999/2000 campaign, with Ferguson hailing the Argentine as a "marvellous player" upon the confirmation of his move to England.

Despite being unable to truly flourish in a United shirt, the now-retired ace still contributed 26 goals and assists in 82 games for the club in all competitions, according to Transfermarkt, offering a classy, ball-playing presence in the centre of the park.

As club legend Gary Neville stated, although Veron was unable to break-up the famed midfield partnership of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, he did offer something fresh in the centre of the park in his deep-lying berth, with the Sky Sports pundit stating:

"The way Veron played, coming out of Italy, he moved into different positions and was fluid, trying to get the ball from the left back, et cetera."

That composure and quality on the ball appears to be shared by Amrabat, with the one-time Club Brugge ace ranking in the top 5% in Europe's top five leagues among those in his position for pass completion, as well as in the top 8% for progressive passes, with the hope being that he could pull off the type of delightful threaded assist that Veron memorably laid on for Ruud van Nistelrooy against Deportivo La Coruna in the Champions League in 2003.

Of course, the aim will be for the Fiorentina menace to prove an even greater success than the former United man was in English football, helping to follow Mount in strengthening Ten Hag's midfield department.

With the exit of Phil Jones leaving Veron's number four shirt available – the number which Amrabat wears for his country – perhaps the Moroccan can follow in the Argentine playmaker's footsteps this summer…

Liverpool endured a difficult 2022/23 campaign as they failed to qualify for the Champions League after a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League.

The Reds will be competing in the Europa League next season but that has not stopped them from making a splash in the summer transfer window so far.

FSG signed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton & Hove Albion for a fee that could rise to £55m before they completed a deal to bring Dominik Szoboszlai in from RB Leipzig for a price tag of £60m.

They are both attack-minded midfielders who have the quality to score and create goals for the team next season, based on their performances for their respective clubs last term.

The Argentina international plundered ten Premier League goals during the 2022/23 campaign, while the Hungarian produced six goals along with eight assists in the Bundesliga.

FSG could now complete Jurgen Klopp's new-look midfield by securing the signing of Fiorentina enforcer Sofyan Amrabat, who could sit behind Mac Allister and Szoboszlai to allow them to thrive in possession.

What is Sofyan Amrabat's style of play?

The Morocco international, who has been described as "criminally underrated" by journalist Muhammad Butt, is a defensive midfielder by trade and excels at winning possession back for his side whilst also being exceptional at progressing play from a deep position.

Amrabat, who is a reported transfer target for the Reds, would be perfect to play in the number six role behind two creative midfielders, like the club's two summer signings so far, due to his ability to screen in front of the defence.

As you can see in the graphic below, as provided by Opta, the 26-year-old maestro is among the best in his position at regaining the ball, whilst he also ranks highly with regard to touches which suggests that the talented midfielder would thrive as part of a possession-based team.

The latter point is backed up by his rank among the top 8% of midfielders across the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days for progressive passes made per 90 (7.93). Current Liverpool enforcer Fabinho, for context, sits in the 59th percentile with 5.34 per 90.

This suggests that Amrabat would offer more progression from a defensive midfield position in comparison to the Brazil international. He would, therefore, get the ball into the likes of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in advanced areas of the pitch more frequently, which could lead to more dangerous attacks for the Reds.

The Serie A star also showcased his strength in the middle of the park with 2.3 tackles per game at the World Cup for his country in 2022, a number only Thiago Alcantara (2.4) bettered for Liverpool during the Premier League season.

Fiorentina are reportedly demanding €30m (£26m) for the impressive battler, who was once dubbed a "monster" by journalist Carlo Garganese, and FSG must match that figure to complete Klopp's midfield.

The German head coach would have a tough-tackling number six who can receive the ball from the defence before progressing the play to Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in positions from which they can do their damage in the final third.

According to Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian, Nottingham Forest are among the clubs interested in a deal to sign Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi this summer, with Fulham and AC Milan also reportedly interested.

Nottingham Forest transfer news – will they sign Callum Hudson-Odoi?

As per Steinberg, Forest are in the race to sign Hudson-Odoi, who is likely to leave Chelsea this summer after failing to hit the heights on loan at Bayer Leverkusen last season.

The Blues have reportedly set a price tag of just £15m for the academy graduate, who is out of contract next summer.

Hudson-Odoi has reportedly received offers from Saudi Arabia – like many others – but has prioritised staying in Europe and getting his career back on track.

We saw last season that Forest are not afraid to splash the cash, spending €195.25m (£168.61m) on a number of arrivals.

Among those was Jesse Lingard on a free deal, proving that they are capable of attracting players from big clubs, which could be a factor for any potential Hudson-Odoi move.

Would Callum Hudson-Odoi perform at Nottingham Forest?

There are not many players around that need a move to get their careers back on track more than Hudson-Odoi. The loan move to Leverkusen was meant to do exactly that, but one goal and one assist in 21 appearances tell you all you need to know about how that spell went.

Back in the familiar territory of the Premier League, however, the 22-year-old could finally get back to his best – a version that was once linked with a sensational move to Bayern Munich.

If the Chelsea man does decide to make the move to Forest, it would be incredibly similar to Lingard's move last summer, given that he'd be moving from a top club on potentially huge wages.

Like the former Manchester United midfielder, Hudson-Odoi would be under a lot of pressure if he made the move. The hope will be that he can handle the pressure better than Lingard did after the England international recorded zero goals and assists in the Premier League last season.

Hudson-Odoi could even play the role of wingback if he made the Forest move, given Steve Cooper's tendency to occasionally play with a back five. This is a role that he has played before, of course, under Thomas Tuchel, making him a versatile option for many clubs.

Speaking on the academy graduate back in 2020, Chelsea teammate Mason Mount told the club website: "We all know what Callum can do and he came on and brought that spark.

"He’s very good one on one and we just have to get him the ball going one on one and try to create chances. He did very well when he came on and that is something he can take away from the game."

Also praising the winger, scout Jacek Kulig said back in 2020: "Three years ago I gave Hudson-Odoi 10/10 potential and I stand by my opinion. Callum still has crazy potential."

It's clear that Forest have the ability to attract names from the Premier League's big six, but they will hope that the similarities between Lingard and a potential move for Hudson-Odoi this summer end there. Indeed, should the wide man live up to that famed potential, Forest would have an almighty player on their hands.

Aston Villa have been linked with Athletic Club attacker Nico Williams and journalist Dean Jones thinks that the Spaniard would be a 'good fit' under Villans boss Unai Emery.

What's the latest transfer news involving Nico Williams?

As per 90min, Aston Villa have opened discussions regarding a deal to bring Athletic Club forward Williams to Villa Park as Emery eyes an addition on the flank.

The report states that the £57k-a-week ace is 'very highly-rated' at the West Midlands based club and Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle United are also monitoring Williams' situation this window.

According to The Athletic, Real Madrid are also keen on Williams, who is believed to have a €50 million (£42 million) release clause in his present terms at Athletic Club.

Williams has one year left on his deal and has emerged as a target for Aston Villa following their failed pursuit of Marco Asensio earlier this summer, as per FootballTransfers.

Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho is another player of interest to Aston Villa as they look forward to Europa Conference League football next term.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that Williams has a bright future, though may need to refine some parts of his game to reach the very top.

Jones told FFC: "In terms of Nico Williams who is another target, I really like Nico Williams, I think that I can understand why Emery would feel that he's a good fit for him personally.

"In terms of the Premier League, I would worry a little bit about how he would fit. I see a lot of him at Athletic Club and he's a really good talent. He's got a lot of skill, but his decision-making in the final third just often falls a bit flat."

Would Nico Williams be a good signing for Aston Villa?

Williams is a highly talented youngster – and has been hailed a "sensation" by some in the media – that could add an extra layer of exuberance to Aston Villa's attack under Emery should they capture him this summer.

In 2022/23, the Pamplona-born star notched an impressive nine goals and six assists in 43 appearances across all competitions, as per Transfermarkt.

FBRef detail that Williams was a key presence for Athletic Club this campaign in terms of chance provision and successfully completed 105 shot-creating actions in La Liga.

His ability to drive past his marker and make things happen has also caught the eye of clubs around Europe, evidenced by the fact he averaged around 2.3 dribbles per match in the Spanish top-flight during the season, according to WhoScored.

Aston Villa manager Emery will be keen to add some quality this window to take his side to the next level and Williams would be a statement addition at Villa Park who has bags of exciting potential.

However, whether he would be able to adapt quickly to the English game may be another question.

Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun is still attracting "interest" from clubs in the Premier League and abroad, reveals Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth.

The interest in the young striker has intensified thanks to his excellent loan spell with Ligue 1 side Stade Reims last season.

Arsenal transfer news – What's the latest on Folarin Balogun

Alongside the player's impressive exploits in France last season, his much-publicised desire to be a starting number nine next year and opposition to playing second fiddle has increased the interest in him.

The most recent club to signal interest in the player is West Ham United, who have reportedly made the New York-born striker a priority signing in the Summer window, per FootballTransfers.

According to the report, the player has been discussed as a potential makeweight in the Declan Rice to Arsenal saga, a deal that could suit all parties involved.

Outside of the Premier League, Juventus are one of the possible destinations for the player.

Italian Journalist Rudy Galetti informed GiveMeSport that the Bianconeri could sign Balogun as a potential replacement for Dusan Vlahovic, who is said to be on Chelsea's list of potential summer transfers.

The price Arsenal are looking to get for their young star is reported to be around £35m, as per football.london.

What has Dharmesh Sheth said about Folarin Balogun and Arsenal?

Sheth highlighted the player's contract situation and informed GiveMeSport of the interest in the player from clubs both in and out of the Premier League.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: "I think he's got two years left on his contract. If Arsenal do want to keep them, we've not heard of any noises of a new contract, so that one could move.

"I think his representatives do have interest in the player from the Premier League and from clubs abroad, including RB Leipzig as well, so keep an eye on that one."

How good was Folarin Balogun's season last year?

Whilst the player certainly had his fans and excitement surrounding him before his stint in Ligue 1, that year abroad has generated much of the current interest and hype around the player, and rightly so.

According to WhoScored, the player averaged an impressive rating of 6.90 across his 37 league games last season, scoring 21 goals and assisting a further two.

His underlying numbers are equally impressive and paint the picture of a player who could go on to be a star.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the dynamic forward is in the top 7% for non-penalty expected goals, the top 9% for total shots and the 19% for touches in the opposition's penalty area, all per 90.

With statistics like that, it's no surprise that Mikel Arteta heaped praise on him back in February, saying:

"When you look at the numbers and what he is doing, it's just incredible. It's very rare to see that. But he's got something special, that's why we decided to give him a long-term contract."

If the Gunners are set to cash in on their American wonderkid, they might regret it further down the line.

Newcastle United have been reported to hold an interest in Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson, but the USMNT international has endured a torrid time in the Premier League this year.

That's following an exclusive from Football League World, who claim that Magpies technical director Dan Ashworth has his eye on Aaronson and his international and Leeds teammate Tyler Adams this summer after the Whites were relegated from the top-flight after three seasons.

The 22-year-old only signed last summer for around £25m and started brightly, but as Leeds' campaign deteriorated so did Aaronson's, and he might be searching for new pastures as the outfit look to recuperate some of the sum paid to RB Salzburg.

Newcastle are in the market for new firepower in the central department after qualifying for the Champions League with a top-four finish, but the main question on supporters' lips would be whether signing the ace would be the most auspicious move to make…

Should Newcastle sign Brendan Aaronson?

Aaronson still has four years left at Elland Road after penning a five-year deal upon signing for the club, but there is every possibility that he will be shipped on as Leeds look to rebuild ahead of mounting a bid for promotion straight back to the top flight.

And while he is clearly a talented playmaker, given Newcastle's newfound stature and breakthrough to European competition, it is unlikely that Howe would be inclined to make the move with the squad's midfield already so robust and reliable.

The 29-cap ace only scored once across the entirety of the 22/23 Premier League season, assisting a further three goals, and was even branded a "lightweight" by pundit Jon Newsome for his anonymous, almost lackadaisical presence on the pitch.

As per Sofascore, the £45k-per-week American recorded a, candidly, woeful average league rating of 6.51, and while he completed 79% of his passes and averaged 1.3 key passes per game, his flimsiness was on full show as he won only 40% of his contested duels and succeeded with 41% of his attempted dribbles.

And given that Magpies outcast Ryan Fraser statistically completed a better season, recording an average rating of 6.71 after playing just eight times all year, it hardly seems to be the most propitious option for the Toon to delve down.

Especially considering the likes of James Maddison and Dominik Szoboszlai have peppered the rumour mill with reports of United's heated interest in their services.

Fraser, while embodying the etymology of the word peripheral under Howe's wing at St. James's Park, won 59% of his duels in the Premier League and at least held his own, something that Aaronson – who reportedly has a relegation clause worth in the region of £25m – has, as illustrated by the aforementioned metrics, failed to do.

Such talents would undoubtedly come at greater cost, but Newcastle have established the foundation for a future laden in success and must now make the right moves to ensure that the good fortunes this year do not falter with the turning of the page, and Aaronson, talented as he may be, is surely not the answer at such a crucial stage in this burgeoning outfit's development as a European superpower.

Aston Villa could potentially make a move for Villarreal attacker Nicolas Jackson in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Ryan Taylor.

Have Villa been linked with Jackson move?

The Villans had a memorable 2022/23 season in the end, overcoming a poor start to the season under Steven Gerrard to finish seventh in the Premier League, securing a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League in the process.

A hugely promising summer window is now about to get underway at Villa Park, with the owners making plenty of funds available for new signings as Villa look to find another level next term.

It could be that attacking reinforcements are at the top of Unai Emery's shopping list, and one player who has been linked in the past is Jackson, who the Villa boss worked with during his time in charge at Villarreal between.

The 21-year-old scored 12 goals and also chipped in with four assists in La Liga in 2022/23, and it could be that this summer is a chance for him to enjoy a new challenge. His current deal doesn't expire until the summer of 2026, but it would be a surprise if he remained at Villarreal until then.

What's the latest on Jackson to Villa?

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Taylor talked up Villa's chances of making a move for Jackson, also name-checking another former Emery player:

"From what I understand he likes Nicolas Jackson. I do think he could maybe look at some of his former Villarreal players for transfers to Aston Villa. Yeremy Pino, as well, is another one. Nico Williams of Athletic Bilbao, too."

Jackson could be precisely what Villa are after this summer, bringing youth and freshness to the attack, not to mention providing Emery with more options ahead of their European commitments next season.

The fact that the Spaniard knows him so well can only be a good thing, too, making the move less risky and suggesting that the Villa boss will know exactly what he will get from him. A tally of 13 goals and six assists in 47 appearances for Villarreal is a good return for someone who is still so young, and he should only improve as the years pass.

The one-time Senegal international has been called "extraordinary" by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and Villa snapping him this summer could signify a major statement of intent.

Aston Villa are still showing an interest in signing Atletico Madrid superstar Joao Felix during the summer transfer window, according to a fresh update.

What is Joao Felix's contract and salary?

The £235,000-a-week Portuguese arguably hasn't yet hit the heights many predicted of him a few years ago, having won the prestigious European Golden Boy award back in 2019.

Felix made the move to Chelsea on loan back in January, having struggled to consistently make an impact at Atletico, but his time at Stamford Bridge was largely underwhelming. Granted, he was playing for an out-of-sorts team were low on both quality and confidence, but a tally of four goals in 16 Premier League appearances was still a forgettable return.

It doesn't look as though the Blues will take up the offer of signing the 23-year-old permanently this summer, so instead, he will return to Atletico but looks likely to depart again and perhaps permanently this time, despite his contract not expiring until 2027.

Villa have been linked with a move for Felix recently, and it looks as though their interest isn't showing any sign of waning.

Will Villa sign Felix?

According to Onda Cero [via Sport Witness], both the Villans and Tottenham "could be interested" in snapping up the Portugal international this summer, with Atletico set to deem him surplus to requirements.

There is a possible issue surrounding a move for Felix, however, with the report stating that the youngster "only wants teams qualified in the Champions League".

Felix is undoubtedly a huge talent, having been hailed as "special" by Alvaro Morata and "complete" by Diego Simeone in the past, so the thought of Villa signing him is a mouthwatering one.

He possesses genuine star talent and he could thrive by being the main man at Villa Park, raising the level of those around him and spearheading their charge in Europe next season. There are question marks surrounding him, given the manner in which he has struggled to reach expectations levels, but at 23, he is still so young and could be a superstar addition for years to come.

That being said, it does feel unlikely that Villa, or Spurs for that matter, will be able to entice him to the club, considering he seemingly only has eyes on playing Champions League football. The lure of playing under the much-revered Unai Emery could be the one thing given them a chance of signing him, though.

Arsenal have been linked to a striker ahead of the transfer window, as the Gunners turn their attention to strengthening this summer.

Mikel Arteta’s side enjoyed a memorable 2022/23 campaign, falling just five points short of winning their first Premier League title since 2004.

Despite there being a sense of disappointment surrounding the Emirates with reference to what could have been, there are an excess of positives the north Londoners can take into next season.

With the summer window around the corner, the Gunners will look to capitalise on their errors made this term to challenge again after the break with potential new signings on the cards.

What’s the latest on Marcos Leonardo to Arsenal?

As reported by 90min last week, a host of clubs have been scouting Santos striker Marcos Leonardo at the U20 World Cup.

Premier League representatives such as Tottenham, Newcastle, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal have been named as those watching the young star.

The 20-year-old is valued by Football Transfers at €16.1m (£14m), and is contracted to the Brazilian club until 2026.

What could Marcos Leonardo bring to Arsenal?

Hailed as “frightening” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the Brazilian has scored three goals in three matches at the U20 World Cup, averaging a seriously impressive 3.7 shots per game as per Sofascore.

The youngster is continuing his form from his season with Santos, in which he has contributed to six goals in 11 appearances in Paulista Serie A1.

His record throughout 2022 told a similar story, as per Mango, seeing him score 19 goals in 39 games in all competitions, all of which came inside the box, making him a hot prospect in European football this summer.

With reference to Arsenal, the young forward could bring essential depth to the strike areas, which was required in the absence of Gabriel Jesus who needed knee surgery following an injury sustained at the Qatar World Cup.

Second-choice striker Eddie Nketiah held the fort strongly, notably scoring against Manchester United, however, after the Englishman, Arsenal’s strikeforce was all-out.

The quality shown at such a young age by Leonardo could see him potentially rival Jesus in north London, bringing essential competition to Arteta’s attack to increase performance.

Arsenal’s number nine brought with him from Manchester City an infectious energy and tireless flare as seen so frequently in Brazilian players, replicated by the 20-year-old target.

Lauded by Mango as being a player that plays “without fear”, the forward has comparable qualities to Jesus, and could raise the standards of the 26-year-old who was described as being "poor" in the run-up to the final straight, showing slight inconsistencies in front of goal.

With depth in numbers comes competition which naturally raises the bar of expectation for a manager regarding selection, introducing a hungry-to-succeed starlet such as Leonardo could benefit Arteta’s squad in so many ways beyond goals.