Saudi transfers shock summer start and Arsenal's Havertz plan

The Independent’s football newsletter [SUBSCRIBE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( June 23, 2023 [View in browser](   [The Independent]( [The Independent]( The Saudi Pro League approach changes everything about the summer transfer market The biggest effect since Bosman? The Saudi Pro League story is making waves through football, but it isn’t turning everything over. The competition has already received a lot of rejections beyond Leo Messi and the next week is seen as key since a number of meetings are being held to try and [convince that top bracket of players to join](. That could determine just how huge this summer is, and [how substantial the Saudi Pro League is as a competition once it restarts](. If it won’t necessarily change the landscape of the game yet in terms of offering another high-quality league, it has [undeniably changed the market, maybe more than anything since the Bosman ruling](. That is no exaggeration. Everyone in the industry already thinks it surpasses the effect of similar moves from the Chinese Super League in 2016-17. As a basic example, it has [caused a lot of Premier League clubs to completely rethink](their summer plans, due to this new uncertainty in the market. It has also flooded the window with much more money, raising prices and wages. That can be seen with Rasmus Hojlund. Atalanta immediately put his value up to over £80m. Serie A star may not get the move anticipated On a related theme, it’s probably noticeable that chatter around Victor Osimhen has ceased, even though [every major club who are looking for a striker]( - and that is currently a lot - wanted him just a few months ago. The explanation is simple. Napoli’s Aurelio Di Laurentiis has put a price of over £150m on him. It has so far put everyone off, to the point Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani has [become the main striker target](. Saints' Lavia the centre of a bidding war Southampton were this week described as “rubbing their hands with glee” as [interest in Romeo Lavia greatly steps up](. While he had been seen as [likely going to Arsenal](, and probably joining Declan Rice, Chelsea are now seriously involved. That is a story we’ve seen before. Of concern for Arsenal is that Lavia has a strong relationship with Joe Shields, who recently left Southampton for Chelsea, but initially brought Lavia to the south coast. Liverpool are meanwhile looking, too, as they decide on which second midfielder to complement Alexis Mac Allister. They [retain strong interest in Nice’s Khephren Thuram](but also Inter’s Nicolo Barella. The Italian may not want to leave Italy, though, and it isn’t just the high price Inter put off that has prevented his move to Newcastle United. Barella’s preference is to stay. That has seen [Newcastle move for Sandro Tonali](. The logic of Real Madrid's left-field choice Amid such huge numbers, and Kylian Mbappe the great draw, the real surprise came in something much more subdued. There was [shock around the game as Real Madrid signed Joselu as their stand-in striker](. It is quite a story, and one of those enjoyable rare tales where a player enjoys huge heights late in his career. The thinking is simple. [Everyone knows Mbappe will go to Madrid next summer](so, until then, Madrid just need someone who knows the league and has proven they can score goals. That is emphatically the case with Joselu, who will probably alternate with Rodrygo through the centre. Arsenal offer Havertz clarity, as he offers a new threat Mikel Arteta [wants all his business done]( by the time Arsenal go on tour, as he wants to [evolve the attacking shape of the team](. As brilliant as the side were for most of last season, the Basque feels it was primarily based on one attacking approach. Arteta wants to take that on, giving more dimensions to Arsenal’s games. That is why Kai Havertz is[such an interesting signing](. Despite scoring the winner in the Champions League final, he maybe hasn’t been the force his talent suggests, but many within football feel he has not been used in the best way. They point to how dangerous he can be as a false nine, compared to how out of sorts he is when used as a striker. Arteta, however, has a specific plan for this.   Top stories [Opening day fixtures 2023/24: Every Championship match in first round of games]( [England Under-21s beat Czech Republic to get Euros campaign off to winning start](     Miguel's Dispatches What has felt the longest ever season ended with a little bit of childish joy. As I was walking around Valletta the morning after England’s match with Malta, I stumbled upon a shop dedicated to Panini stickers. It really was a blast of nostalgia. I could have spent hours there, as they had completed albums for every World Cup possible. You could just get lost in it. And, on that note, I am off on summer holidays so this newsletter will be handed over for a week, before a week's break of its own. Have a good summer!       QUOTE OF THE WEEK "Years ago, you'd have a season for nine months, I've just laid out a 12-month season. I've been to a World Cup, I've won three trophies and then I'm going to be back training now in four weeks or so, why not enjoy myself?" Jack Grealish on enjoying himself   Reading the game quiz Reading the game quiz In the Champions League era, 14 players have played in the competition’s final and a World Cup final or a European Championship (Euros) final and never won any of those trophies. As an example, for what is probably the hardest answer, Carsten Ramelow lost a Champions League final with Bayer Leverkusen and a World Cup final with Germany but never won either trophy. Name the other 13. Note: they must have appeared on the pitch. ([You can find out the answers here](. The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too) Enjoy a year of unlimited digital access for just £99 £20 ✓ Full access to Premium news analysis ✓ Advert-free reading across web and app ✓ The Independent Daily Edition newspaper ✓ Puzzles, virtual event tickets and more [SUBSCRIBE NOW](   [INDYBEST]( /BEST BUYS]( [Best early portable air conditioner deals in the Amazon Prime Day sale]( We’re hoping to see [portable air conditioner deals]( that won’t be a load of hot air in the [Amazon sales](. 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