All posts by z3u9t.icu

Newcastle United have been boosted by a new transfer update, with an “outstanding” player open to the idea of moving to St James’ Park in the January transfer window.

Howe reflects on painful Newcastle defeat

The Magpies suffered more late home heartbreak in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, losing 2-1 against Arsenal in the dying seconds, bringing back memories of the recent defeat to Liverpool.

Speaking after the match, Eddie Howe couldn’t hide the fact that it was a painful loss for Newcastle, but he still tried to find positives at the same time.

‘Two really late goals here at home hurt. We have to reflect and acknowledge that we weren’t at our best. There was not lack of effort but from a footballing side, it wasn’t quite there.

“That was probably the key thing, the number of corners we allowed them to have. I think Odegaard made a difference to their overall performance. The weight of pressure eventually told. No lack of effort but the little details have cost us.”

Newcastle’s start to the season hasn’t been ideal, with the Magpies sitting 15th in the Premier League table with just one win to their name, arguably highlighting the need for more new signings as the grind of four comeptitions already shows its teeth.

"Outstanding" Germany star open to Newcastle move

According to WA.de [via Sport Witness], Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt would be tempted to join Newcastle in January. The Bundesliga side see it as “financially attractive” to sell the 29-year-old midway through the season – he is out of contract next summer and would be able to leave on a free transfer – with Aston Villa also mentioned as potential suitors.

Newcastle, for their part, are keen to explore the German market for their next Nick Woltemade, having already seen positive signs from the young striker on Tyneside.

Brandt is a proven top-level player with 48 caps to his name for Germany, so it is easy to see why Howe could be keen on bringing him to Newcastle.

Germany

48

3

Germany Under-21s

8

1

Germany Under-20s

6

2

Germany Under-19s

14

2

Germany Under-17s

19

5

Germany Under-16s

3

1

Germany Under-15s

2

2

An attacker midfielder by trade, his versatility also means he can do a good job out wide, while Lars Ricken recently heaped praise on him.

“The things Julian shows are hard to learn: instinctively moving into the right spaces at the right time, playing passes with exactly the right pace. It was an outstanding response from Julian: to come into the team at such short notice and then decisively influence – or even decide – the game.”

As bad as Burn: Howe must drop Newcastle star who won just 23% duels

Dan Burn isn’t the only Newcastle United stalwart who will now be fearful about his starting spot.

2 ByKelan Sarson Sep 29, 2025

If Dortmund are willing to sell Brandt in January, Newcastle should be looking to swoop, at a time when improved depth is needed in attacking areas, especially if they advance into the latter stages of the Champions League.

It felt as if there was an unspoken agreement among Manchester United supporters last season. No matter the on-field turmoil, no matter the new lows reached, the Old Trafford faithful would remain behind manager Ruben Amorim regardless.

Parachuted in mid-way through the campaign, despite his desire to join this summer, the Portuguese coach was almost afforded a free hit last time out, with a notable Europa League run also helping to cloud the club’s Premier League undoings.

That night in Bilbao was drab and disappointing, yet the 40-year-old teased brighter days ahead following the final league clash against Aston Villa. “The good days are coming”, he exclaimed.

Five games into the new season, however, and those ‘good days’ have yet to return. Perhaps the cries for patience need to be heeded, but this all feels very much like more of the same.

There was a willingness to ‘suffer’ in 2024/25, with the proviso that Amorim would get it right after a full summer window, a full pre-season and a full week between games. Four points from four and a Carabao Cup exit would suggest otherwise.

Unsurprisingly, the debate over the ex-Sporting CP man’s future is ramping up – could it be time for a change before too much damage is done?

How Amorim's start to the season compares

The honesty and candour of Amorim’s pre and post-match musings has been to his credit, yet while the one-time Braga boss is able to talk the talk, he has thus far failed to walk the walk.

Steadfast in his refusal to tweak a flawed 3-4-2-1 system, the latest post-Sir Alex Ferguson appointment may well fall on his sword sooner rather than later, having overseen the club’s worst start to a Premier League campaign since 1992.

Of course, that inaugural season in the new-look top-flight saw United clinch the title under Fergie’s watch, but in an era where almost perfection is needed to finish at the summit, the current crop appear so far off the pace.

With the next international break now just three games away, Amorim could be heading for a crucial juncture in his relatively brief Red Devils tenure, with it having been October last year which saw the end of Erik ten Hag.

The Dutchman had actually collected more points this time last year with six from the opening four league games, although with United slumping to 14th in the table, a defeat to West Ham United was the final straw.

Having overseen another extensive summer of investment in the region of £250m, Amorim may also find himself on the chopping block before too long – but just who could replace him?

How Man Utd can replace Ruben Amorim

There is a sense that the INEOS hierarchy have almost jumped the gun with Amorim’s appointment. Rather than taking the approach of employing a safe pair hands in the dugout, while considerable change continues at boardroom level, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co have gambled on the two-time Portuguese title winner and his much-debated back three system.

That risk, so far, has yet to pay off, and while it is still early days in the 2025/26 season, there could well be a desire to nip things in the bud sooner rather than later, instead of simply watching another campaign drift into nothingness.

If a change is to be made in the managerial department, there have been whispers that long-time target Mauricio Pochettino could be in the equation, with the Argentine coach currently at the helm of the United States national team.

A record of seven defeats in 18 games in charge of the upcoming World Cup hosts is certainly nothing to shout about, with the post-Tottenham Hotspur period having been distinctly unkind for the 53-year-old, amid his brutal sackings at both Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

That being said, while his time at international level may suggest otherwise, the 4-2-3-1 manager is no busted flush. At Stamford Bridge, for instance, he overcame the chaos to steer the Blues to a respectable sixth-place finish. At the Parc des Princes, meanwhile, three domestic honours were claimed for the Ligue 1 giants.

There was a time, too, when he was even deemed by Ferguson to be the “best manager in the league” – as relayed by MP David Lammy – with Pochettino having been a revelation following his appointment at Spurs in 2014.

Formerly of Southampton, the “genius” coach – as hailed by journalist Alex Keble – steered a youthful side in north London to incremental progress, unleashing an exciting brand of football led by the likes of Harry Kane, Heung-min Son and Dele Alli.

In his five full seasons in charge of the Lilywhites, ‘Poch’ finished no lower than fifth, even while largely operating on a shoestring budget, having secured a top-four finish in four successive campaigns.

While a trophy was elusive, the one-time Espanyol boss did defy the odds to take the club to the Champions League final in 2019, having been harshly sacked by Daniel Levy just a matter of months later. As Keble stated, he was arguably “too good” for Spurs, while he was “so above Levy, the chairman didn’t know what to do.”

With Amorim currently ‘boasting’ a Premier League record of just 31 points from 31 games, Pochettino would undoubtedly be an upgrade in that department.

Indeed, the latter man has won 150 games in the competition from 294 outings, with a points per match ratio of 1.77.

USA

18

1.83

Chelsea

51

1.78

PSG

84

2.15

Spurs

293

1.84

Saints

60

1.45

Espanyol

161

1.22

Still a relatively youthful figure in the coaching world at 53, the experienced coach appears to have missed the boat on numerous occasions when it comes to moving to Manchester, having notably been in the running when both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were fired.

This move has been a long time coming, with Pochettino able to provide that long-term approach alongside the ability to get results at Premier League level in the short-term.

Amorim, it must be said, is a figure to get behind, but this is a results business, and well, the results simply haven’t been up to scratch.

No Dorgu, new role for Amad: How Amorim can save Man Utd job & keep 3-4-2-1

Ruben Amorim appears intent on sticking with his 3-4-2-1 formation at Man Utd, but could he at least change the personnel within it?

ByRobbie Walls Sep 17, 2025

Everton are starting to make significant progress in the transfer market and could look to the continent to strengthen their engine room, according to reports.

Everton look to secure more arrivals after Thierno Barry

David Moyes has a rebuild on his hands at Everton this summer and will carry a sense of relief after sealing a deal to bring Thierno Barry to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

After becoming the Toffees’ second signing of the window after Carlos Alcaraz, the former Villarreal forward stated: “I’m very happy. It’s very exciting to be here. I just can’t wait to start and I hope to start very quickly.

“Everton is a big club in the Premier League. They have a good history and good players have played here, like Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku. When I was young I liked to watch these players, now I want to do like these players who have gone before.”

Looking to build on their recent news, Everton have been in touch regarding the availability of PSV winger Johan Bakayoko, who is set to leave the Netherlands in search of a new challenge this summer.

Manchester City’s James McAtee is also a target for the Toffees, indicating that they have designs on strengthening from middle to front following a spate of injury issues last term in forward areas.

Better signing than McGinn: Everton holding talks over "world-class" star

David Moyes is looking to sign a midfielder or two this summer at Everton

ByRoss Kilvington Jul 11, 2025

Republic of Ireland international Mark Travers has agreed to join Everton, per reports, though it remains to be seen whether he will swap the South Coast for Merseyside to support Jordan Pickford.

However, all of the above show that Moyes and company are beginning to make moves, and they could be set to strike again for a talented midfielder if recent developments are to believed.

Everton battling to sign Spezia midfielder Salvatore Esposito

According to TBR, Everton are one of a clutch of clubs in the mix to sign Spezia midfielder Salvatore Esposito, who is set to leave the Italian outfit this summer after they failed to win promotion to Serie A and is being lined up to head to England.

Brighton & Hove Albion, Burnley, Brentford, Fulham and Sunderland have all expressed interest in a deal. Meanwhile, Scottish Premiership champions Celtic and their rivals Rangers are also looking to bring him north of the border.

Salvatore Esposito in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

37

Goals

7

Assists

10

Capped once by Italy, the 24-year-old is capable of playing in defensive midfield, as an eight or in the ten role, which has made him a prime candidate to become a cog in Everton’s major rebuild at their new stadium.

Talks have been held with unspecified parties over a scenario that could see Esposito leave on loan with an option to buy, though a straight sale hasn’t been ruled out either at this stage.

Everton have made heavy weather of pushing deals over the line so far, but there is a chance they could look to firm up their interest on this front due to the favourable terms involved.

Leeds United were given a very timely reminder of how easy it can be to get recruitment wrong at Premier League level when they sanctioned a loan exit for Max Wober this month.

The central defender has been sent out on loan to Werder Bremen for next season, having been deemed not to be good enough to play a key role for Daniel Farke next term.

Wober was initially signed by Victor Orta for £11m from Salzburg in January 2023 whilst Leeds were in the Premier League, but he was unable to prevent the team from being relegated.

The Whites have already added Lukas Nmecha, Sebastiaan Bornauw, and Jaka Bijol to the squad that is hoping to avoid the drop next term, but there is still plenty more work to be done before the window slams shut.

Here’s what Leeds United’s dream squad could look like if everything goes according to plan this summer.

The goalkeepers A new number one

Leeds know that they need to recruit a new first-choice goalkeeper to line up between the sticks for them next season, because Illan Meslier is not going to cut it.

The French goalkeeper made three errors that directly led to goals and conceded 2.73 more goals than expected, based on the xG against him, in the Championship last term.

This does not suggest that Meslier is likely to be good enough to make the step up to the top tier again, which is why Leeds should cash in on him amid interest from Fenerbahce.

Leeds have reportedly made contact over a deal to sign goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has a £19m release clause, from Torino this month, and he would arrive as the new number one in an ideal world.

Appearances

39

37

Save percentage

71%

76%

Penalties committed

1/4

4/7

Goals prevented

-2.73

+10.56

Pass accuracy in own half

93%

93%

Error led to goal

3

1

As you can see in the table above, the Serbia international could come in as a gigantic upgrade on Meslier, as both a reliable goalkeeper who does not make many errors, and as a shot-stopper.

Full list of goalkeepers: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Karl Darlow, Alex Cairns

The defence A whole new left side for Leeds

The last six teams that have been promoted from the Premier League have been relegated at the first attempt, which suggests that it is likely that the Whites will have a busy defence next season as they bid to avoid joining that statistic.

Leeds did only concede 30 goals in 46 matches in the Championship, despite Meslier’s dire form, which may be why Jayden Bogle could stay as the first-choice right-back, and Sam Byram has penned a new deal to provide depth at right-back and left-back when needed.

Farke has already bolstered his ranks at centre-back, though, with the arrivals of Jaka Bijol from Udinese for £15m and Sebastiaan Bornauw from Wolfsburg for around £5m. They will now look to compete with Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk for the two starting roles at the heart of the defence.

It is on the left side of the defence where it will be all change for Leeds, though, as they do not have any senior left-backs in the building following Junior Firpo’s exit.

Gabriel Gudmundsson has joined for a reported fee of £10m to replace Firpo, but the Whites have also been touted with interest in Slavia Prague’s £22m-rated Malick Diouf.

The Senegal international, who is only 20, could be a back-up to Gudmundsson initially, with the potential to explode as an exciting left-back option in the future, after he scored seven goals in 27 league games in Czechia last season.

Full list of centre-backs: Joe Rodon, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk

Full list of right-backs: Jayden Bogle, Sam Byram

Full list of left-backs: Gabriel Gudmundsson, Malick Diouf

The midfielders Farke reunites with former star

The midfield section of the squad is split into two profiles, with one group of midfielders to play in the double pivot of the 4-2-3-1 formation, and the other group as options for the number ten position.

In the first section, Farke currently has Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu, and Ilia Gruev to pick from, but they are reportedly looking to add to their options in that area of the pitch.

They are said to be interested in Hoffenheim giant Anton Stach, who is valued at £17m, after he started 29 matches in the Bundesliga for his club last season.

Possible signing Anton Stach

6 ft 4

Ilia Gruev

6 ft 1

Ethan Ampadu

6 ft

Ao Tanaka

5 ft 11

Brenden Aaronson

5 ft 10

As you can see in the table above, the 26-year-old German titan would bring some much-needed height and physicality to Farke’s options in the middle of the park.

In the number ten role, Leeds have been linked with an interest in Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia, who is valued at £20m, as a player who has worked with the manager before.

The Argentina international produced 24 goals and 41 assists in 121 appearances for the boss at Norwich, which suggests that he may offer more to Leeds at the top end of the pitch than Brenden Aaronson, who only managed nine goals and two assists in 46 league games last season.

Full list of central midfielders: Anton Stach, Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka, Ilia Gruev

Full list of attacking midfielders: Emiliano Buendia, Brenden Aaronson

The forwards Surprise move for huge Premier League flop

Lukas Nmecha, as a back-up striker, is the only attacking signing that Leeds have made to bolster Farke’s options at the top end of the pitch, but they are expected to be active in the forward areas.

They may already be content with what they have on the right flank, though, as Dan James has put pen to paper on a new contract at Elland Road, and they have Wilfried Gnonto in reserve, whilst Buendia is also capable of playing on the right flank.

There does look set to be a change through the middle for the Championship champions, though, as they are in the market to sign another striker on top of Nmecha.

Leeds are reportedly keen on a deal to bring Nikola Krstovic, who is valued at £21m, to Elland Road from Italian side Lecce, and he may be the best available option for the club to pursue.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

16 (20/21 Premier League)

Nikola Krstovic

11 (24/25 Serie A)

Rodrigo Muniz

9 (23/24 Premier League)

Evan Ferguson

6 (23/24 Premier League)

Josh Sargent

5 (20/21 Bundesliga)

As you can see in the table above, Krstovic has the most recent history of hitting double figures for goals among the club’s top centre-forward targets, as Calvert-Lewin’s best season came five years ago.

The Montenegro international has proven that he can score goals in a major European league and could come in to start in the number nine position, leaving Joel Piroe and Nmecha behind him as depth options for Farke, which could also see Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford seek game time elsewhere.

For the left flank, talks to bring Manor Solomon back on a permanent basis from Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly stalled, which means that they may have to explore other options.

As an alternative to the Israel international, Leeds should make a surprise move for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Fabio Silva, who was linked with a move to Yorkshire back in June.

Silva was a huge flop in the Premier League with Wolves, scoring four goals in 62 games after a £35.6m move from Porto, but his form on loan in LaLiga with Las Palmas last season suggests that he has developed since then.

The Portugal international, who was once described as a “generational” talent by scout Jacek Kulig, delivered ten goals and three assists in La Liga, playing off the left and through the middle as a versatile forward, which suggests that he could be a solid addition on the flank for Leeds at a reported fee of £21m.

That would leave Largie Ramazani, who managed six goals and two assists in seven league starts last term, as the back-up option on the left wing next season, and possibly force Jack Harrison out of the squad.

Full list of right wingers: Dan James, Wilfried Gnonto

Full list of centre-forwards: Nikola Krstovic, Joel Piroe, Lukas Nmecha

Full list of left wingers: Fabio Silva, Largie Ramazani

Sunderland now know who they will face in their opening set of Premier League fixtures.

It will have suddenly become very real for those with connections to the Black Cats when looking at the list of clubs Regis Le Bris’ men will soon face, with August throwing up fixtures against West Ham United, Burnley, and Brentford to kick off their daunting top-flight survival mission.

Le Bris will hope his newly promoted side can steadily adjust to their intimidating level, with plenty of signings still needed to help keep their heads above water.

Sunderland have already had success in this department when securing the permanent services of Enzo Le Fee, but another midfield talent might soon join the ranks to link up with the skilful Frenchman.

Sunderland monitoring bargain midfielder

As per a report by OnTheMinute, Sunderland are now monitoring the situation of Clermont Foot midfielder Habib Keita.

The report states that Keita has become a much sought-after talent after impressing in Ligue 2, with QPR, Stoke City and Crystal Palace all said to be keeping tabs on the promising 23-year-old.

Valued at just £1.2m via Transfermarkt, this could go down as another steal utilising the French market, much like when Le Fee joined the building initially on loan.

How Keita can be Le Bris' next Le Fee

With Jobe Bellingham also now gone, which has left a considerable hole in the midfield areas, this would be a shrewd pick-up as Sunderland attempt to acclimatise back to the challenges of the Premier League.

After all, Le Bris has presumably had the Malian on his radar for quite some time now, with the ex-Lorient boss no doubt a keen fan of the 23-year-old when still situated in the managerial dug-outs of his native France.

Much like Le Fee at Le Bris’ ex-employers, Keita would have been viewed as an exciting talent when rising through the Lyon ranks as a youngster.

But, in a similar fashion to the now Sunderland number 28, his career hasn’t been without its obstacles, resulting in the midfielder moving out to Belgium after exiting the Groupama Stadium, before returning to France reinvigorated with Clermont Foot.

Last season, even as his Ligue 2 employers struggled in 16th position in the league standings, Keita still managed to come away from the campaign with a goal and four assists to his name, meaning he might well thrive in another basement battle to follow with Sunderland.

Games played

27

15

Goals scored

1

1

Assists

4

1

Touches*

52.1

55.8

Accurate passes*

31.1 (85%)

28.5 (84%)

Key passes*

0.8

1.3

Big chances created

6

2

Ball recoveries*

5.3

3.6

Total duels won*

4.6

5.5

The table above certainly reinforces the idea that Keita could go on to be an even better talent under Le Bris’ wing, like Le Fee, with the midfield duo notching up similar numbers when comparing their statistics from last season, as seen in their similar passing numbers.

But, away from their ability to carve out an opening, the midfield pairing also excel as energetic bodies, with a high amount of duels won, which will come in handy as games become more attritional and tensely fought in the Premier League.

Much like Le Fee too, who can happily line up down the wings away from slotting in the middle of the park, Keita is also capable of being flexible with eight of his overall career appearances seeing him come into an XI as a number ten, alongside another four clashes where he’s been deployed down the right flank.

The worry will just be if the Malian can instantly hit the ground running in his new terrain. But, if Le Fee is anything to go by, Keita might well be the next sensational capture from Le Bris’ homeland.

Sunderland in advanced talks to sell "fantastic" 22 y/o in permanent deal

Would moving him on be the right decision?

ByHenry Jackson Jun 22, 2025

Things are moving apace. Liverpool have already replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold with Jeremie Frimpong and are advancing with deals for Florian Wirtz and Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.

Talk about a show of intent. Talk about ambition. FSG have faced their criticisms across their time at the head of the Liverpool table, but the American owners are backing Arne Slot to the hilt this summer after the Dutch coach secured a Premier League title in his first term at the helm.

With a much-anticipated move for Wirtz, which could rise to a British-record £116m, set to be finalised in the coming days, hopes are morphing into expectations that the Reds will be right there in the title battle next season, throwing the heaviest punches and swerving the blows from Arsenal, Manchester City and the like.

What, then, should be Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes’ next move in the transfer market? Well, for all Anfield’s impressive dealings, the glaring point of contention still hasn’t been addressed: Liverpool need to part with Darwin Nunez and bring in a new number nine.

Why Liverpool need to sell Darwin Nunez

As far as statement signings go, Liverpool usually hit the nail on the head. However, Nunez has proven to be a blot on the copybook, never living up to the fixed £64m fee and actually regressing under Slot’s jurisdiction.

24/25

47

7

7

23/24

54

18

15

22/23

42

15

4

Back in February, Slot stated he “can’t accept” Nunez’s work rate following a slew of games which had turned little personal reward for the Uruguayan. Previous versions of the 25-year-old invariably provided a tenacious

A maverick, Nunez is powerful and instinctive, but consistent finishing has always eluded him throughout his time on Merseyside, and if it were not for Mohamed Salah’s extraordinary 2024/25 campaign, the striker’s woes might have been hung under a brighter, more blinding light.

Salah scored 34 goals and assisted 23 more across all competitions last season. Extraordinary. The Egyptian King turned 33 this month, though, and needs a more reliable frontman to keep him performing at his peak.

Well, Liverpool are acting with ambition, hoping to sign a star who might just prove to elevate the legend. Who knows, he may even surpass Salah’s greatness.

Liverpool line up new striker

According to Ben Jacobs for GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool are ready to place a record-breaking bid for Newcastle’s Alexander Isak this summer.

Liverpool’s current interest in the Sweden striker can be traced back to the start of March, when The Athletic’s David Ornstein confirmed the Reds had him at the top of their shopping list.

The Magpies, who won the Carabao Cup and qualified for the Champions League last term, would want north of £150m for Isak, but GMS claim FSG would be willing to offer £100m plus add-ons, which would eclipse the fee agreed for Wirtz.

How Isak could surpass Salah at Liverpool

Liverpool need a striker, all right, and Isak is their dream target. If sporting director Richard Hughes could pick any number nine across the globe, this is the man he’d move for.

Coming off the back of a 27-goal campaign with Newcastle, Isak, who has been hailed as “the best striker in the world” by analyst Raj Chohan, could be the most incredible addition to a Liverpool side already jam-packed with attacking quality.

Isak’s prowess, always improving, could even see him become a goalscoring machine under Slot’s wing above that of Salah, whose 34-goal season was frankly ridiculous.

24/25 – Newcastle

42

27

6

23/24 – Newcastle

40

25

2

22/23 – Newcastle

29

11

3

21/22 – Sociedad

41

10

3

20/21 – Sociedad

44

17

2

Moreover, his unique approach to the attacking game could see him reach that pedestal on which Salah perches, surmounted above the rest of the Premier League’s attacking talent.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 16% of strikers last season for shot-creating actions, the top 13% for progressive passes, the top 7% for progressive carries and the top 8% for successful take-ons per 90.

This protean attacking quality could see him join the likes of Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres as one of the most complete and electric number nines the Premier League has ever seen.

Would this make him a more dangerous forward than Salah? Who knows, but Isak definitely has the perfect style to dovetail into Slot’s system and bring a new level of direct goalscoring threat.

And it must be said, Liverpool have certainly felt the force of the Sweden striker’s skills, Isak having scored a stunning goal against them at St. James’ Park last year before bagging in the Carabao Cup final, a strike which proved definitive.

But it’s not just his goalscoring. Isak has the capacity to outstrip even Salah’s ridiculous goal per game rate at Liverpool (0.61), with his Newcastle average currently at 0.57.

As he continues to go from strength to strength, Isak could hit a truly staggering flow, especially given that he would be playing among some of the best in the business (including Salah, whose playmaking has hit another level over the past couple of years).

Whether Isak would finish a potential Liverpool career with a greater legacy than Salah is tantamount to splitting hairs. In all likelihood, he’d fail on that front, for Salah has transcended pure quality on the field to immortalise himself in Liverpool lore.

However, Isak’s ability to score is a special thing – pundit Alan Shearer has described him as a “world-class assassin” – and if signed to the Liverpool cause and allowed to foster relationships with Salah and Wirtz, his goalscoring record could form something not witnessed on Merseyside.

Huijsen was better: How Spanish media rated Trent's first game post-Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his debut for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup.

ByMatt Dawson Jun 19, 2025

As Manchester United look to balance their books this summer amid early incomings, Al-Nassr could now reportedly offer INEOS their biggest payday of the window in pursuit of an attacking ace.

Man Utd readying summer clear-out

With Matheus Cunha already signed and Bryan Mbeumo reportedly likely to follow suit, Manchester United will have little choice but to clear some room in Ruben Amorim’s squad.

In what feels like a never-ending cycle, the Red Devils must rebuild once again and, in doing so, show the door to any unwanted stars in a ruthless summer plan.

Among those heading for the exit door is likely to be Rasmus Hojlund. The struggling striker has never truly made his mark at Old Trafford, despite costing an eye-watering £72m in 2023. Now, two years on, Inter Milan have reportedly come calling for his signature in a deal that could eventually cost around £38m.

Whether Hojlund, himself, accepts a summer departure may be another question, though. The young forward told Danish media when questioned about his Manchester United future this week: “I have a contract until 2030, so I expect to play for Manchester United. I’m looking forward to going on a summer vacation, and then I’m fully dedicated to the project that’s underway.

“I know I can’t get much out of reading things. I know what the facts are, and that is that I have a contract with Manchester United until 2030. I expect to play there, so I’m just getting ready for some summer vacation and then hopefully a good pre-season.”

Man Utd submit bid for once-£57m ex-Man City ace who’s desperate for move

He won six Premier League titles at Manchester City.

ByTom Cunningham Jun 7, 2025

Whilst Hojlund is keen to stay put, however, the same can’t be said for another struggling Man United star, who could yet hand the Red Devils an impressive financial boost on his way out.

Al Nassr now eyeing Garnacho swoop

One player who has looked almost certain to be heading for the exit door ever since Amorim arrived is Alejandro Garnacho. In Amorim’s first Manchester derby, the Argentine found himself dropped alongside Marcus Rashford. The latter soon left on loan and went on to thrive at Aston Villa. Garnacho, however, stayed put but things have not become better in recent months.

Now, according to The Mirror, Al-Nassr could hand INEOS their biggest payday of the summer by signing Garnacho. The Saudi giants have been pursuing a move to sign Luis Diaz from Liverpool, but may turn towards the £50,000-a-week winger if the Premier League champions remain reluctant to sell their South American star.

If that does prove to be the case, Amorim may well be glad to see the back of the winger after Garnacho publicly disagreed with his decision to start Mason Mount in his place in the Europa League final.

Since then, Amorim has reportedly told the young winger to find a new club in front of the rest of his teammates in a public dressing down. Unless anything dramatic happens at this stage, Garnacho’s exit is one that would be best for all parties.

Liverpool are not resting on their laurels after they won the Premier League in Arne Slot’s first season as the manager in the 2024/25 campaign.

The Dutch head coach arrived from Feyenoord last summer to replace Jurgen Klopp in the dugout at Anfield and clinched the top-flight trophy at the first time of asking.

Despite that incredible achievement, Slot and his staff are looking to bolster the squad with reinforcements to achieve even more success, hopefully across multiple competitions, next season.

One star who is reportedly on the club’s radar is Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, who was recently the subject of a £105m bid by the Premier League champions, as per Sky Sports.

It now remains to be seen whether or not the Reds can get a deal over the line for the Germany international in the weeks to come during the summer transfer window.

Liverpool have, however, already completed and announced a move for Jeremie Frimpong from the Bundesliga club, and he may not be the only full-back to arrive at Anfield this summer.

What Jeremie Frimpong could bring to Liverpool

Firstly, the Reds have already found their replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has completed a transfer to Real Madrid on a permanent basis, in the form of Frimpong.

Liverpool reportedly paid a fairly modest fee of £29.5m, thanks to his release clause, to sign the Netherlands international, which makes him a fairly cost-effective replacement for Trent this summer.

In terms of his style of play, Frimpong is a very front-footed and attack-minded ‘defender’ who will want to be on the last line and make runs to impact games from an offensive perspective.

The 24-year-old star primarily played as a wing-back for Leverkusen down the right and could push on very high and wide for Liverpool, which would suit Mohamed Salah well, as he likes to drift infield onto his favoured left foot to score and create goals.

24/25

48

5

9

23/24

47

14

10

22/23

48

9

10

21/22

34

2

8

As you can see in the table above, Frimpong delivered goals and assists at an impressive rate, for a wing-back, for the majority of his time with the German side, which shows that he could bring goals and assists to the Liverpool team next season.

This could also provide Salah with more room to work with, because opposition full-backs may have to pay extra close attention to Frimpong’s runs, possibly creating space for the winger to receive the ball with fewer defenders on him.

Frimpong, however, may not be the only full-back to arrive at Anfield in the coming weeks, as Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up a left-back from the Premier League.

Liverpool set to bid for Premier League defender

According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Liverpool are interested in a deal to sign Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez during the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that the Premier League champions are set to make a formal bid to sign the Hungary international in the coming days, as they look to bolster their options at left-back.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Jacobs does not reveal how much the bid from Liverpool is set to be worth, but does claim that Bournemouth are looking for a fee of at least £40m to allow their star defender to move on from the Vitality Stadium.

The journalist also states that the 21-year-old Premier League star has ‘already agreed to the move’ to Anfield, which means that there would not be any issues on personal terms if the Reds were able to agree a deal with the Cherries in the coming days.

If Liverpool do wrap up a transfer to bring Kerkez over to Merseyside this summer, then it could be a repeat of their Sadio Mane masterclass back in 2016.

Why Milos Kerkez could be Sadio Mane 2.0

The club reportedly paid a fairly modest fee of £36m to sign the Senegal international from Southampton after the 2015/16 campaign, in which the forward had produced 11 goals and six assists to lead his side to European football.

Mane went on to score 120 goals and provide 46 assists in 269 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions during his career at Anfield, winning the Champions League and the Premier League during that time.

This shows that Liverpool hit the jackpot with the exciting attacker because they snapped up a star who was shining for a team punching above their weight in the Premier League, and he was able to adapt to a team that wanted to win trophies year-on-year.

Bournemouth finished ninth in the top-flight, just shy of a spot in Europe for next season, and Kerkez played a significant role in their achievement of finishing in the top half with his impressive performances in the left-back position for Andoni Iraola’s side.

Appearances

38

33

Goals

2

0

Assists

5

1

Big chances created

8

7

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.6

1.8

Dribbled past per game

0.4x

0.6x

Duel success rate

54%

48%

As you can see in the table above, the Hungarian star outperformed Andy Robertson with his work in and out of possession during the Premier League season, by offering more as a scorer and a creator, whilst also being more effective defensively.

These statistics suggest that Kerkez has the quality to make an instant impact at Anfield as an upgrade on Slot’s current left-back option, which is another reason why he could be a repeat of Mane, who became an instant star with his goals and assists on the wing.

As Izzy Christiansen said in the clip above, the “machine” is only 21 and is not close to reaching his peak, which means that Liverpool would also be paying for the potential that he has to get even better.

Like Mane, who joined at the age of 24, Kerkez would arrive at Anfield with time on his side to be a key player for the Reds for many more years to come, which is yet another reason why he could be a fantastic signing after the Frimpong deal for the opposite flank.

A new Mac Allister: Liverpool set sights on signing "dangerous" £35m star

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing a star who could be Alexis Mac Allister 2.0.

ByDan Emery Jun 1, 2025

Celtic lost their first-choice number nine in the January transfer window at the start of the year when they opted to sell Kyogo Furuhashi to Ligue 1 side Rennes.

The Hoops cashed in on the Japan international and went with Adam Idah, Johnny Kenny, and Daizen Maeda as their number nine options, instead of swooping for a replacement in the window.

Brendan Rodgers is seemingly in the market to sign a new number nine ahead of next season, though, as it was recently reported that the club are expected to make a new move for Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgarden.

Why Celtic want to sign Mathias Kvistgaarden

The Denmark youth international is a long-term target for Celtic, who wanted to sign him in January and remain keen ahead of the summer, and that is because he has been in terrific form for his club.

Kvistgaarden scored 23 goals in all competitions for Brondby in the 2024/25 campaign, which included a return of 17 goals in the Danish Superliga, and scored ten goals in 28 matches the previous season.

As you can see in the post from talent scout Jacek Kulig below, which was last month, the 23-year-old attacker has improved year-on-year with his current team.

The Danish marksman is a striker who is on the up and coming off the back of an impressive season, which is why he would be an attractive target for the Scottish giants heading into the summer window.

However, it has also been reported that Brondby are sticking to their valuation of at least £10m for the attacker. This means that the Hoops would have to splash the cash to bring him to Parkhead to bolster their attacking options.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

With this in mind, Celtic could look elsewhere to find more value for money, and they could find it by signing reported target Youssef El Kachati.

Why Celtic should sign Youssef El Kachati

The Daily Mail reported earlier this month that the Scottish Premiership champions are tracking the Telstar forward as a potential free agent signing, as his contract with the Dutch club is due to expire.

El Kachati, who is due to play in the play-off final for Telstar this evening, has scored 23 goals and provided six assists in all competitions for his team this season, matching Kvistgaarden’s return.

The 25-year-old attacker, who played for Morocco at U23 level, has scored 82 goals in 189 matches throughout his career in Dutch football, which shows that he has been a consistent scorer throughout his time at first-team and academy level.

His form in the 2024/25 campaign also suggests that the potential is there for him to be an even better signing than Kvistgaarden if he can translate his form over to Scottish football as a bargain free agent addition.

Appearances

29

37

Goals

17

19

Big chances missed

17

12

Big chances created

5

6

Assists

5

5

Dribbles completed per game

0.7

1.0

As you can see in the table above, the Dutch-born forward has a more impressive ‘big chance’ conversion rate, scoring two more goals whilst missing five fewer ‘big chances’.

This suggests that El Kachati, described as a “sensation” by journalist Mounir Boualin, has the potential to deliver more effective performances in front of goal in a Celtic shirt as a finisher.

The Telstar marksman has also added three goals in four play-off matches on top of those 19 goals during the regular season, taking his league tally to 22 in total – five more than Kvistgaarden managed for Brondby.

With this in mind, the potential is there for Celtic to land an even better signing than the Danish attacker, valued at £10m, by swooping for this bargain free agent star who has been incredibly prolific in the Dutch second tier.

A dream Kuhn replacement: Celtic eyeing move for "unplayable" star

Celtic have sent scouts to watch a wing wizard who could be a dream replacement for Nicolas Kuhn.

1 ByDan Emery May 27, 2025

After such a dismal season in 2024/25, Manchester United have a huge opportunity to end the campaign on a high with the Europa League final on the horizon.

Ruben Amorim’s men face Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao on Wednesday night, looking to claim his first trophy in charge and secure a place in the Champions League next year.

Such an achievement could be vital in their pursuit of landing new talent this summer, with the manager already targeting new additions to help revitalise his current squad.

Qualifying for the biggest club competition in Europe could hand the Red Devils a boost of offering top-level talents an exciting project despite their lowly Premier League standing.

With the summer window rapidly approaching, work has already been done behind the scenes to hand Amorim with the tools needed to be a success at Old Trafford.

The latest on United’s pursuit of new talents this summer

Matheus Cunha appears to be edging ever closer to completing a switch to join United this summer, with the deal entering its final stages, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The 25-year-old has already accepted a proposal to move to Old Trafford this summer, with the hierarchy ready to trigger his £62.5m release clause in four instalments.

However, he could be joined at the Theatre of Dreams by one of his compatriots, with Atalanta’s Ederson the latest player on their radar, according to reports in Italy.

They claim that the Red Devils have been in contact with a move to land the Serie A star, currently having the advantage over Manchester City and Juventus in the race for his signature.

The journalist also confirmed that the 25-year-old would cost a fee in the region of £50m this summer, but that the hierarchy are set to enter negotiations after the Europa League final.

Why United’s £50m target could be Amorim’s own Pogba

Paul Pogba still holds the club-record for the highest fee paid for a player, costing £89m from Juventus back in the summer of 2016, just a couple of years after departing on a free transfer.

The Frenchman made over 200 appearances during his second spell at Old Trafford, helping them win the Europa League – something which Amorim could hope to replicate this week.

The midfielder caught the eye in his box-to-box role for the Red Devils, often producing a moment of magic with the ball at his feet, resulting in countless excellent strikes in the North West.

Despite leaving on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, his spell at the club was a success, potentially replicating such a deal with a move for Ederson in the coming months.

The Atalanta star could follow in Pogba’s footsteps by completing a switch from an Italian outfit, also possessing a similar skillset, which could make him a key component in Amorim’s overhaul at the club.

When comparing his stats to those of Pogba’s from his first year at United, the Brazilian has managed to star at both ends of the pitch, making him a superb option as a box-to-box in the manager’s 3-4-2-1 system.

Ederson, who’s been labelled “monster” by The Mirror’s Ryan Taylor, has achieved a higher pass completion rate, handing other players at Old Trafford the chance to improve their own tallies.

Games played

36

30

Goals & assists

5

9

Shot-on-target accuracy

31%

23%

Goals per shot-on-target

0.4

0.3

Pass accuracy

86%

83%

Tackles won

1.6

1.3

Interceptions made

1.2

0.8

Despite registering fewer combined goals and assists, the Brazilian has notched a higher shot-on-target rate along with a better goal-per-shot-on-target rate – highlighting the clinical edge he possesses in attacking areas.

He’s also won more tackles per 90 and completed more interceptions, offering Amorim the added defensive cover he needs within the midfield department at Old Trafford.

£50m may seem to be another hefty investment from the hierarchy this summer, but it’s one that would drastically improve the options currently at Amorim’s disposal.

Should he manage to reach similar levels to those produced by Pogba, it would be an excellent pickup, potentially playing a key role in any success down the line under the current management team.

Man Utd flop who should be "fourth choice" has been even worse than Onana

This Manchester United flop has been an even worse signing than Andre Onana.

ByDan Emery May 20, 2025