Chelsea use Football Manager database cheat, Everton join ‘the whole world’ in race for Brazilian

Once a quirky Football Manager feature, when a bright new talent was dubbed ‘the new’ version of an established star, but now the hunt for the next big thing has fallen upon a successor to Erling Haaland.

Brighton and Hove Albion look to set to complete a deal for Molde forward David Fofana after he scored 15 goals and provided five assists in just 24 appearances for the Norwegian outfit. Still only 19, the two-times capped Ivory Coast frontman now looks set to secure a move to the Premier League.

But it won’t be in the blue and white of the Seagulls, it seems likely to be in the blue of Chelsea after journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed Graham Potter’s side have ‘reached an agreement’ worth around £8m to secure Fofana’s services.

Everton join ‘the whole world’ in race to sign Brazilian youngster

It is not so long ago that one high-ranking official at Brazilian club Vasco da Gama claimed ‘the whole world’ wanted to sign young midfielder Andrey Santos.

Well, now you add say that the whole world and Everton want him because South American journalist Lucas Pedrosa has added the Toffees to a list containing the likes of Newcastle United, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona of possible suitors for the Brazil Under-20 international.

Speaking last month about his future with speculation in South America and Europe raging, Santos said: My parents and my manager filter me, I know that everything will go at the right time for my dreams to come true. But there’s nothing for now. It will be a year of a lot of delivery, let’s fight at the top, do everything to get winners and let it be a brilliant season. I hope to continue helping.”

Chelsea to ‘hijack’ Gunners move for Ukraine star

Italian outlet CalcioMercato have reported Chelsea are eyeing a ‘shock hijack’ (is there any other type?) of Arsenal’s bid for Ukraine star Mykhaylo Mudryk - although the Evening Standard have claimed the Gunners have already opened talks with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The winger has become one of the hottest properties in Europe after shining for club and country over the last 12 months and looks set to command a significant fee if Shakhtar opt to allow their prize asset to depart in the near future.

Speaking to the Athletic, the club’s chief executive Sergei Palkin said: “It’s not so far but it is not what we need. We have discussions. One club, another club, they negotiate. We are in the process. Will it close this month? I don’t know. It is maybe 50-50 with regards to the winter transfer window. I don’t want to talk about figures now. We are in discussions. We have interest from some English clubs and we are in the process.”

A figure of around £88m was mentioned earlier this season but there have been some suggestions Shakhtar would accept a low fee for Mudryk.