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Leeds United are currently preparing for their final match in the Championship, hopefully for a long time, against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park on Saturday.

The Whites can hit 100 points in the second tier for the first time in their history with a win against the Pilgrims this weekend, which will also confirm their position as champions of the division.

Daniel Farke’s side hammered Bristol City 4-0 last time out at Elland Road to set themselves up for a chance to hit a century of points in their final match.

Leeds will be beginning to think about how they will prepare for a season in the Premier League next term, as they aim to avoid an instant relegation back down to the Championship.

The official confirmation of Ipswich Town’s relegation from the top-flight last weekend means that all three newly-promoted sides have gone straight back down in the last two seasons, which illustrates the difficulty of the task ahead for the Whites.

Recruitment will need to be spot on from the club to give Farke and his staff the best possible chance of avoiding relegation, and signing loanee Manor Solomon could be one of the first bits of business on the agenda.

Why Leeds should consider signing Manor Solomon

The Israel international is currently on loan from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season, which means that the clash with Plymouth this weekend could be his last outing for the West Yorkshire outfit.

TEAMtalk recently reported that the Whites are planning to pursue a permanent deal for the former Fulham star, and that Spurs are open to cashing in on the winger in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Leeds may look to press ahead with a swoop for the 25-year-old dynamo because of his impressive form in the Championship this season, as he has displayed his quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals for the Whites.

The Spurs loanee has been particularly impressive in recent weeks, during the business end of the campaign, with a return of two goals and five assists in his last five matches in the second tier.

As you can see in the table above, Solomon has been directly involved in 21 goals in 38 appearances in the Championship so far this season, which speaks to how influential he has been in the final third for Farke throughout the campaign.

This is why he could be an excellent addition to the squad ahead of promotion to the Premier League, as the Spurs loanee could be a difference-maker at the top end of the pitch.

Leeds lining up move for 33-goal star

Leeds, however, could land an even better signing than Solomon if they can win the race for their latest reported transfer target in the summer window.

Transfer Focus

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

According to The Boot Room, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs lining up a move for Celtic winger Daizen Maeda to bolster their attacking options.

The report claims that Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool have been keeping tabs on the Japan international, who has scored 33 goals in all competitions this season.

It also reveals that Aston Villa, Brentford, Leeds, Crystal Palace, and West Ham United are among the other Premier League clubs interested in a deal to sign the Celtic superstar in the summer transfer window.

The Boot Room adds that the Scottish Premiership sensation is set to be available for a fee in the region of £25m, which means that he will not come cheap, and Leeds must push to win the race for his services because he could be an even better signing than Solomon.

Why Daizen Maeda could be an even better signing than Manor Solomon

Both Maeda and Solomon are right-footed forwards who predominantly cut in from the left flank and attempt to impact matches with goals and assists on a regular basis.

The Celtic star has racked up a staggering 33 goals and 11 assists in 47 games in all competitions, including four goals in nine Champions League matches.

Solomon, on the other hand, has scored nine goals and provided 13 assists in 40 matches in all competitions for Leeds, which immediately suggests that Maeda could offer more consistent quality, particularly as a goalscorer, for the club next season.

It is not only their quality in possession that should be taken into account, however, as the Whites are going up to the Premier League knowing that the last six teams have come straight back down, which means that they will have to do plenty of defending and are likely to be on the back foot in plenty of matches.

With this in mind, the Celtic star could be an even better signing than Solomon because of the work that he puts in out of possession to be a positive for his side defensively, whether that be tracking back to help his full-back or in counter-pressing situations.

As you can see in the table above, Maeda offers more than the Leeds loanee from a defensive perspective, with more tackles, interceptions, and clearances made per game, whilst being dribbled past less often.

Maeda, who has been described as a “machine” by coaches, can also defend the back post when dropping in to help his full-back out, as shown by his aerial duels won, whereas Solomon struggles a lot in those situations.

Therefore, Leeds could be better of pursuing a deal for the Celtic star, despite there also being a lot of reasons why Solomon could be a great addition, because of his potential to offer more than the Spurs loanee both in and out of possession in the Premier League next season.

Farke could sign Piroe upgrade in Leeds swoop for "electric" £40m "monster"

Leeds could immediately land an upgrade on Joel Piroe by swooping for this £40m star.

By
Dan Emery

Apr 29, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur face a significant summer of changes, both in the dugout and at squad level, with the future of a key player seeming far away from north London.

Ange Postecoglou facing Spurs exit after dismal campaign

Spurs could still qualify for the Champions League next season by winning their first major trophy since 2008.

Tottenham: Robinson thrilled after hearing Levy could appoint 52-year-old

Spurs are said to be closing in on his arrival.

2

By
Emilio Galantini

May 13, 2025

All eyes are on the Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21, which has the potential to save Tottenham’s season in a crunch, all or nothing encounter against Premier League rivals Man United, who’ve also endured a horror-show season.

Ange Postecoglou led Spurs to their 20th top-flight loss of the season against Crystal Palace last weekend, breaking their all-time record for most recorded Premier League defeats in a single campaign, with the 59-year-old under intense scrutiny.

More and more credible media sources are reporting that Postecoglou could leave Spurs regardless of whether they win the Europa League, and he’s likely to be joined by some big-name players.

Cristian Romero linked with Spurs summer exit

One of them, star defender Cristian Romero, is a top target for Atlético Madrid and Diego Simeone.

Some reports even suggest that Romero has already agreed terms on a move to Atletico, but both the Lilywhites and La Liga side are yet to find any common ground when it comes to the 26-year-old’s final price tag.

According to information from Marca, there is still negotiating to do when it comes to Spurs and Atlético shaking hands on a fee.

Cristian Romero clear he wants Atletico move amid £84m plan

As per the Spanish newspaper, relayed by Sport Witness, Romero is clear he wants a move to Atlético from Tottenham, but the Premier League side value him at around £59 million and are very unlikely to go anywhere below £42 million.

It is unclear whether Simeone’s men will reach their minimum figure, but they’re set to open talks, and are planning a spending spree worth up to £84 million this summer.

Taking into account they wish to use this cash on a host of other targets, despite Romero’s obvious quality when at his very best, Atlético want to whittle his price down as much as possible.

“He’s the best centre-half at the club,” said pundit Paul Robinson about Romero in 2022, to Football Insider.

“I think they probably tried to get one in during the window but it didn’t work out. But in Romero they have got a phenomenal defender. He makes others around him better.

“What they have got isn’t enough. They need more, but he is certainly the best that they have got. He could play in any side in the top four of the Premier League. He is a Champions League player, a top player.

“If Spurs are going to go places Romero is the type of player they will need to keep and build around.”

When it comes to the biggest stars of Arsenal’s Emirates era, one name will come to mind for most: Mesut Özil.

The German international joined the Gunners in a shock £42.4m move from Real Madrid on transfer deadline day 2013, in a moment that every fan who was around at the time will still remember as if it was yesterday.

The mercurial midfielder might have left the club under a bit of cloud, but for most of his time in the capital, he was simply superb and managed to rack up a tally of 44 goals and 77 assists in 254 appearances.

So, fans should be excited about recent reports linking the club to another international superstar who could have a similar impact to Ozil in North London.

Arsenal transfer news

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other stars linked with Arsenal who could be game-changing acquisitions, like Viktor Gyokeres and Morgan Rogers.

Transfer Focus

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

The former could reportedly cost around £63m, and it’s not hard to see how he could change the Gunners’ fortunes next year, as in just 50 appearances this season, he’s scored 52 goals and provided 13 assists.

Likewise, with 14 goals and 14 assists in 52 appearances for Aston Villa this season, Rogers looks like he’d be more than worth the £100m price tag reportedly on his head.

However, there is another superstar attacker whose impact on the North Londoners could more closely mirror Ozil’s: Rodrygo.

Yes, according to a recent report from journalist Ben Jacobs, Real Madrid are “willing to let Rodrygo go” this summer, and this has put Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool on alert, with them all regarding this as a real “market opportunity.”

However, just because he’s available to sign doesn’t mean it’ll be a cheap transfer to get over the line, with reports from earlier this week claiming that he could cost £85m.

It’s safe to say this is a deal that may well have legs. Even the Athletic have joined in on the party, suggesting Arteta is a huge fan of the tricky winger.

With all that said, Arsenal should still do all they can to sign Rodrygo this summer, as he’d add so much to their attack and could have a similar impact to Ozil all those years ago.

Rodrygo's similarities to Ozil

Okay, so we aren’t saying that Rodrgyo is even remotely similar to Ozil as a player in his playstyle, but were this deal to go through this summer, then it would be undeniably reminiscent of the German’s 12 years ago.

For example, when the midfield maestro moved to the Emirates in 2013, it was the biggest statement that the Gunners had made in the market for a very long time, and should they secure the Brazilian in the coming months, you’d be able to say the same thing.

Secondly, it would be another case of the North Londoners taking advantage of Real moving on one of their biggest superstars, and at the same age as well, with the World Cup winner being just 24 when he left the Bernabeu.

Finally, and this is important, the Osasco-born dynamo has the raw talent and ability to go on and be just as influential as Ozil was during his time at the Emirates.

For example, since the start of last season, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has scored 31 goals and provided 19 assists in 102 appearances, totalling 7,067 minutes.

That means the 24-year-old has maintained an impressive average of a goal involvement every 2.04 games, or every 141.34 minutes across two years of football at the very highest level.

Finally, the “big game player” as Dougie Critchley described him, also knows how to get himself and his team across the finishing line in the biggest competitions, and as such, has won two Champions Leagues, three La Ligas, the Club World Cup, the Copa del Rey and others.

Ultimately, Rodrygo is one of the very best wingers in world football, and if Arsenal can secure his services this summer, he’d be following in Ozil’s footsteps and could go on to be just as influential in North London as the German was.

Arsenal could break transfer record for a more exciting star than Gyokeres

The incredible talent would be a game-changer for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 15, 2025

Glasgow Rangers are still on the lookout for their new head coach after Barry Ferguson moved on from Ibrox at the end of his interim spell in charge.

Investor Andrew Cavenagh is reportedly set to arrive in Glasgow to help conduct the search, alongside CEO Patrick Stewart and sporting director Kevin Thelwell.

The Gers chiefs ‘grilled’ Ferguson before removing him from contention to land the job on a full-time basis, after he failed to do enough to convince the board that he is the right man for the role moving forward.

Appointed as interim head coach in February after Philippe Clement was dismissed, the former Scotland international only won six of his 15 matches in charge of the Light Blues, drawing 2-2 with Hibernian on the final day.

Rangers are now looking at external options to fill the head coach position, and it was reported earlier this week that they are due to hold talks with former Southampton manager Russell Martin.

Despite the former Scotland international being in line for the Leicester City job, the Light Blues are keen to meet with him to talk about the Ibrox posting.

Why Russell Martin would be a good appointment

Russell Martin may not be a name that sparks much excitement in the fanbase. Not only did he have a dismal loan spell at Ibrox back in 2018, but he also endured a horrendous season in the Premier League with Southampton.

The 39-year-old head coach won one game and picked up just five points in 16 top-flight matches in the first half of the current campaign, setting them on their way to relegation from the division.

However, Southampton ended the season with two wins and 12 points from 38 matches, which suggests that the players were more of a problem than Martin, as they did not improve under different coaches.

It was the English-born tactician’s style of play in the Championship, when he had players who were good enough to compete at the top of the league, that suggests that he could be a good appointment for Rangers.

As you can see in the table above, Martin delivered an exciting, progressive, and attacking style in the second tier of English football, as shown by their passing and chance-creation statistics, and he led them to promotion via the play-offs.

This suggests that he would be well-suited to helping Rangers to compete for the title in the Scottish Premiership, with a superior squad to most of the division.

However, his Premier League form does cast doubt over his ability to deliver success on the European stage, against better teams, which is why it may be a good thing that the Gers are reportedly still looking at another English coach.

Rangers have made contact with English manager

According to the Daily Mail, out-of-work manager Steven Gerrard is still in the running to make a return to Ibrox ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The report claims that while talk has cooled over a move for the English tactician, he is not out of the running to land the job ahead of the likes of Martin and Davide Ancelotti.

It states that initial contact was made with the former Aston Villa head coach’s representatives last week, as he remains in contention for the job.

The Daily Mail reveals that Cavenagh wants to meet the candidates face to face, including Ancelotti and Martin, but it is unclear as to whether or not Gerrard will have a face-to-face meeting with him after the initial contact last week.

With this information in mind, Rangers could land an even better appointment than Martin by swooping for the former Ibrox boss in the coming days.

Why Rangers should appoint Steven Gerrard

As aforementioned, there are plenty of pros and cons to the appointment of the former Southampton head coach, because of the stark contrast in form between the Championship and the Premier League.

It would be a bit of a gamble for the Gers, as they could get the disastrous top-flight performances or the electric second tier success, if they decided to go ahead with a move for Martin.

Whereas Gerrard is a known quantity. He has already managed the club and has achieved success at Ibrox, which means that the tactician would arrive in Glasgow with experience to lean on and a reputation that would command respect from others.

The 4-3-3 manager, of course, won the Scottish Premiership title with Rangers in the 2020/21 campaign, an achievement no other coach at Ibrox in the last decade has managed, before or after him.

He also left the Gers at the top of the Premiership table after 12 games before he moved to Aston Villa in the 2021/22 season, but Giovanni van Bronckhorst was unable to see out the job.

As you can see in the table above, Gerrard also had a solid record in Europe for the Light Blues, losing just eight of his 51 Europa League games, including qualifiers.

This suggests that the English boss, whose reputation was described as “amazing” by former England defender Glen Johnson, would be an even better hire than Martin because of his ability to manage at the top level against better sides.

Ryan Kent 2.0: Rangers in strong position to sign "outstanding" star

Rangers are in a strong position to sign a star who could be their next Ryan Kent.

By
Dan Emery

May 28, 2025

Throw in the fact that Gerrard has already proven that he can win the Premiership with the Gers and it appears to be clear that the board should pick him over Martin if it came down to a choice between the two of them, due to his superior experience and pedigree.

Liverpool are in an enviable position right now: they’ve won the Premier League, and dominantly at that, having avoided heavy transfer expenditure over the past three windows.

Now, the Reds are looking to make sweeping changes to Arne Slot’s team, fattening it up with new recruits who could play an instrumental role in retaining the title and challenging for more over the coming years.

However, some outgoings are to be expected too. Trent Alexander-Arnold has already packed up and left, while Darwin Nunez is expected to leave on a permanent deal.

GIVEMESPORT have revealed that Luis Diaz, 28, is also open to leaving Liverpool this summer, with the £72m-rated Colombian being chased by Saudi suitors and Barcelona, who have a long-standing interest but are uncertain on the figures attached.

Diaz has been an incredible servant for Liverpool over these past several years, but he’s not inexpendable, especially if that £72m price tag is met by Saudi suitors.

For sure, if Liverpool manage to get a deal for Florian Wirtz over the line, any ruefulness from the sale will be smoothly offset.

The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool

Liverpool’s pursuit of Wirtz is trudging forward, and while those in the know have reiterated that all parties expect a deal to be completed, fans’ fears will not be placated until the official announcement is made.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein confirmed on Tuesday morning that Liverpool’s second offer, worth about €130m (£109m), has failed to bridge the gap at the negotiating table, with Leverkusen still holding out for a British-record €150m (£126m) fee.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who is widely regarded as one of the best young players in the world, would be an incredible addition to a Liverpool side in transition, yes, but also buoyed by the incredible feat of winning the Premier League off Manchester City this year.

With Trent swapping red for white this summer, securing a new playmaker-in-chief was always going to be crucial, and falling at this stage of the one-horse race would provide the most bitter of pills.

If Slot is to take this squad and fashion something even greater from it, FSG will need to continue to back him, and in fairness, they appear to be doing exactly that, with talks being held for one of Italian football’s most talented wingers.

Liverpool line up new winger

According to Tutto Mercato Web, Liverpool have entered the race for AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, and fans will be interested to note that Bayern Munich are the Reds’ main competitors.

Transfer Focus

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

The report continues to claim Liverpool chiefs have this week made official contact with Milan for the transfer of the 25-year-old.

That said, they face competition not only from European giants Bayern Munich, but also from Saudi Arabia’s big three, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Nassr.

Milan endured a torrid season, finishing eighth in Serie A and thus missing out on European competition, so their bargaining power in retaining an elite winger like Leao has been diminished.

Though Leao’s employers have made feeble demands that their player will cost suitors €130m (£110m), this is clearly an exorbitant sum, and Liverpool will be confident they can negotiate something more agreeable.

Why Liverpool want Rafael Leao

Leao joined his Milano teammates in despairing over their middling Serie A finish, but he can hold his head high after notching 25 goal contributions from 50 matches in all competitions.

Actually praised as “one of the best in the world” by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Leao is typically found on the left wing, using his blistering pace to overwhelm opponents, stretch defensive lines.

He’s also a tenacious sort, averaging 1.7 dribbles per league game and winning 50% of his duels, as per Sofascore, which is impressive given he’s a forward.

Moreover, Leao hit eight goals and assists apiece across the divisional campaign and only missed eight big chances, so while his numbers could be raised up a level, given his almighty technical quality, he’s not exactly profligate.

Indeed, Leao could do more from the clinical department, but his underlying data suggests he could yet bloom into a deadly marksman for a team like Liverpool.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Italian first division this season for goal contributions, the top 10% for shot-creating actions, the top 9% for progressive carries and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90.

Efforts might be focused on getting Wirtz over to Anfield, but Leao’s potential is crazy, and there’s every chance the fleet-footed talent could bring the X-factor to make him just as exciting as his German counterpart, should he sign.

You can see why Liverpool are intrigued: With Diaz potentially on the way out this summer, bringing in a successor of similarly electric qualities would be a sure-fire way to maintain the fluency down Liverpool’s wide flank.

Furthermore, his consistency might be an attribute that could do with some improving, but if he’s already notching decent numbers for a team that struggled for form, Slot may fancy his chance in elevating this thrilling player to the next level.

Leao also created ten big chances in Serie A, more than any of his Rossoneri teammates.

Leao’s output might leave something to be desired, but his overarching skill set is truly something to behold. Regarded as a “superstar” by football writer Theo Mwangi, the nifty winger could be just as exciting as Wirtz in the Liverpool starting line-up next year.

Just imagine them playing side-by-side.

The dream XI Liverpool could build: Wirtz signs & "the next Mbappe" arrives

Liverpool are making sweeping changes in the transfer market as Slot prepares to defend his PL title.

3

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 3, 2025

Over the last couple of years, Leeds United has been the home to numerous star defenders, many of whom have captured the hearts of the fanbase as a result of their performances on the pitch.

Right-back Luke Ayling joined the Whites for just £500k from Bristol City back in the summer of 2016, racking up over 250 appearances for the club over an eight-year period.

The 33-year-old was part of the previous side that won promotion back to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020, before being a mainstay throughout their stint in the top-flight.

The current squad also has many stars that have replicated such an achievement, with the likes of Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu and Junior Firpo cementing their place in club history after their respective parts in the promotion.

However, this summer presents boss Daniel Farke with another opportunity to strengthen his squad, handing more players the chance to adhere themselves to the fanbase in Yorkshire.

The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new additions this summer

Over the last couple of days, Leeds have made serious moves to land new attackers at Elland Road, to hand Farke with added ammunition within the final third.

Fabio Silva is one player who’s been touted with a move to the club in recent days, with talks being held for the Wolves star, who scored 10 goals on loan at Las Palmas in 2024/25.

However, another name has been thrown into the mix over recent days, with Udinese’s Jaka Bijol the latest player on their radar, according to one Italian outlet.

They claim that the Whites have had their first offer rejected for the 26-year-old centre-back, but remain in talks over a deal and are preparing a second offer.

The defender made 34 appearances in Serie A this season, with no breakthrough yet in a deal for the Slovenian international, who’s valued at around €20m (£17m).

Why Leeds’ £17m target could be Farke’s own Jansson

Centre-back Pontus Jansson joined Leeds way back in the summer of 2016, originally moving on loan from Italian side Torino, before joining on a permanent basis 12 months later.

The Swede made 120 appearances during his two spells at Elland Road, capturing the hearts of the supporters as he helped the club register a third-place finish in 2018/19.

His rise to stardom in Yorkshire was demonstrated by previously being named the club’s captain and offering them a commanding presence at the heart of the defence.

He would eventually leave to join Brentford after a four-year spell with the Whites, playing a huge part in their rebuild and allowing the club to return to the Premier League back in 2020.

However, fast forward six years on from his Elland Road departure, the hierarchy have the opportunity to land their next version of the centre-back in the form of Bijol.

The Udinese star would follow suit by joining the club from an Italian side, whilst offering a commanding presence at the back – as seen by his figures this campaign.

Bijol, who’s been labelled “monstrous” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has made 5.5 clearances per 90 this campaign, along with 3.3 aerials won – handing the Whites added quality in the back line in their attempts to avoid the drop.

His aerial dominance has been further demonstrated by his tally of 68% aerials won – a tally that puts him within the top 6% of all players in Italy’s top flight.

The defender also offers a composed touch in possession, completing 84% of his passes, whilst also playing 3.3 balls into the final third per 90 this campaign, subsequently able to have an impact at both ends of the pitch.

£17m for a player of Bijol’s experience in today’s market could well prove to be a bargain, with the 26-year-old able to make himself a hero if he can prevent relegation in 2025/26.

He also has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Jansson at Elland Road, with the Swede showcasing that signing players from Italy has been a success in previous years.

Better than Beto: Leeds set to make bid for "one of the best CFs in the PL"

Leeds United could finally be about to land a talisman to catapult them to Premier League survival.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 11, 2025

Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund was mere centimetres away from netting a potentially crucial goal in last month’s Europa League final, having seen his goalbound header denied by a simply remarkable acrobatic clearance from Micky van de Ven.

The suggestion from TNT Sports commentator Ally McCoist that the Dane could have done better with that attempt appeared distinctly harsh, with his colleague, Darren Fletcher, perhaps putting his best when suggesting that the 22-year-old might be the “most unlucky number nine” that the Red Devils have ever had, following his disallowed goal on the final day against Aston Villa.

Whether it is the fault of the £64m man, or due to the wider problems of the team, he simply hasn’t kicked on in a United shirt as expected, with the player who ran Galatasaray ragged in October 2023 having hardly been seen since.

Short of quality and confidence, Hojlund ended 2024/25 with just ten goals to his name in all competitions, having only netted four times in the Premier League, while missing just six ‘big chances’.

That latter statistic illustrates that the ex-Atalanta starlet isn’t necessarily wayward in front of goal, albeit the lack of opportunities created perhaps points to the lack of trust in him from his teammates – something which was said to be an issue at the tail-end of the previous campaign.

Having ended the 2023/24 season as the club’s top scorer, there is a player in there somewhere. The issue is, United’s patience appears to have – rightly – worn thin.

Man Utd's search to replace Rasmus Hojlund

While Hojlund may be keen to stay and prove himself at Old Trafford, a return to Italy does appear the most likely outcome, with Champions League finalists Inter Milan reportedly ready to bring him back to Serie A.

With one number nine seemingly on his way, another could be set to arrive in the form of Viktor Gyokeres, albeit with the Swede currently in a public dispute with Sporting CP over his future, amid the suggestion that the club have rowed back on their willingness to let him leave for around €70m (£59m) this summer.

Things are getting messy in Lisbon, it would seem, hence why United’s newly crowned sporting director, Jason Wilcox, must continue to consider alternatives, with TEAMtalk reporting that talks have been held between the club and the representatives of Juventus striker, Dusan Vlahovic.

Transfer Focus

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

The suggestion is that the Serbian’s agents reached out to Wilcox and co in order to try and engineer move, with the 25-year-old believed to be prioritising a Premier League switch.

While the report does state that the former Fiorentina man is not deemed to be a ‘priority target’ for Ruben Amorim, the contact was said to be ‘positive’, ensuring the Premier League outfit could return to the table later down the line.

Amorim, it would seem, might have his heart set on a reunion with Gyokeres, although Vlahovic would surely be the next best thing. Oh, and he might be available for just €30m (£26m).

How Vlahovic compares to Viktor Gyokeres

The ‘definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results’, with United perhaps wary of dipping into the Serie A market for a third successive summer in order to sign a new striker.

Indeed, 2023 saw Erik ten Hag plump for Hojlund, despite the then 20-year-old having scored just nine league goals for Atalanta the year prior. A year later, the Dutchman then forked out £36.5m for Joshua Zirkzee, a player who had netted just 11 times in Serie A for Bologna in 2023/24.

The result? Two goal-shy, albeit talented figures who scored just seven league goals between them for United last time out, with there certainly a fear that Vlahovic could continue the trend, having actually only scored ten Serie A goals last season – plus a further five in all competitions.

The difference is, Vlahovic’s work prior to that is reason for excitement, having scored 81 top-flight goals, across his time in Turin and Florence, since the start of 2020/21, with a further six strikes coming the year before that for his former employers.

It is for that reason that, much like Gyokeres, he has been hailed as a “goal machine” by scout Antonio Mango, with writer Emmet Gates also tipping him to be a “generational talent” in the past.

A hulking, brute of a striker at 6 foot 4, the Serbian star truly is an imposing focal point at the top end of the pitch, a trait he shares with the 6 foot 2 Gyokeres.

While the latter man may be the “hottest striker in Europe” right now, as per ESPN’s Mark Ogden, following his haul of 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting, the Swede certainly boasts similar traits to his Juventus counterpart.

That is particularly seen in their ability to score out of nothing from range, with both men possessing a cannon of a stronger foot. Indeed, analyst Ben Mattinson has hailed Gyokeres as a “ball-striking monster”, while Sky Sports’ Nick Wright has described Vlahovic as ‘dangerous from long distance’.

Such quality is evidenced by the fact that both men have taken on free-kick duties of late, with Vlahovic scoring four between 2022/23 and 2023/24, while Gyokeres netted three in 2024/25 alone, as per Transfermarkt.

As alluded to in the case of Hojlund, United are in desperate need of a striker who can conjure up a moment of magic on their own, with neither Vlahovic nor Gyokeres particularly reliant on the service around them.

That said, both can provide that poacher’s instinct when required too, with the Juve sensation ranking in the top 10% of strikers across Europe for touches in the attacking penalty area per 90, as per FBref, while the former Coventry City man ranks in the top 15% in that regard.

While Vlahovic may be a left-footer, unlike Gyokeres, the pair are both a force to be reckoned with, with the Belgrade-born star’s consistency at the elite level over a number of seasons certainly to be admired.

Yes, he may not be the leading target for Amorim and Wilcox, although if prising Gyokeres from Lisbon proves too great of a task, then they may have already opened the door to the next best thing.

He'd be amazing with Ekitike: Man Utd "optimistic" of sealing deal for star

Manchester United appear to be edging closer to completing a deal for one top-level talent.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 13, 2025

Liverpool are gearing up for the imminent exit of Jarell Quansah, who will sign for Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £35m after returning from the U21 European Championship with England, triumphant.

Nothing’s set in stone, but the anticipation is that Harvey Elliott will follow suit, coveted by a host of outfits both at home and abroad after his peripheral season under Arne Slot’s wing. The 22-year-old led the Young Lions’ charge and will fetch a pretty penny.

If and when both players part ways with the Anfield side, FSG will have banked just shy of £100m from player sales, offsetting somewhat the vast expenditure that has already been overseen this summer, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz the staple signings of a summer still in the making.

Darwin Nunez is still to be sold, the Uruguayan striker the heart of negotiations between Liverpool and Napoli. The two outfits want to get the deal done but reportedly sit far apart on agreeing on a price.

A slew of potential replacements have been bandied about, but there’s little question that Liverpool want Alexander Isak above all others.

The latest on Alexander Isak to Liverpool

Mohamed Salah was the only man to outscore Isak in the Premier League last season, and if that doesn’t underscore Liverpool’s interest, what will?

The problem is that Newcastle United know they have one of the world’s best strikers in their mix and have allegedly priced him at £200m.

The latest on Liverpool’s end is that a July bid should not be discounted, but it’s going to be a very tricky one to complete.

Indeed, signing him would drive Liverpool above the £400m mark, which is quite a startling thing to think about. As such, it’s no surprise that Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has been tasked with capturing an alternative, one who would allow for the centre-back signing Liverpool still desire, Marc Guehi at the top of the list.

Isak is a “world-class” player, as said by pundit Alan Shearer, but he’s not the only talented number nine on the block.

Liverpool make Isak alternative a priority

According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, Liverpool have shortlisted Hugo Ekitike alongside Isak, with the Eintracht Frankfurt’s star singled out as being “very high on the list” of targets at Anfield.

The French forward, 23, has risen to prominence over the past year and has attracted the attention of every Tom, Dick, and Harry, although Die Adler are very much aware of this and have listed him at €100m (£85m) to ward off the rabble.

However, Liverpool need a centre-forward and appear keen on advancing their interest, especially as he’s dynamic, young and far cheaper than Isak.

Transfer Focus

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For what it’s worth, Frankfurt are adamant that they aren’t negotiating with interested parties, at least until August, and that more concrete movements won’t occur for at least a month.

How Hugo Ekitike stacks up compared to Isak

Liverpool like to wrap up their summer business nice and early, but perhaps FSG would be willing to wait in the case of Ekitike, having placed him at the top of their list and conducted the lion’s share of their spending already.

Having finished his first full season in Germany, Ekitike has established himself as “one of the best strikers out there”, according to analyst Ben Mattinson, scorer of 22 goals and placer of 12 assists across all competitions.

He didn’t match Isak’s 27-goal haul, but the 23-year-old is undoubtedly emerging as a focal presence who could play the role Liverpool envisage for the Sweden striker.

Described as the “next Mbappe” by journalist Graeme Bailey, Ekitike is a relentless ball striker, but he’s also a silky and seamless dribbler, a creative partner for his teammates. Apt for a high-pressing team, Liverpool would surely raise their game with him in the ranks, especially when considering the current crop who would elevate the player’s game higher still.

And when peering at Ekitike and Isak’s metrics across the past campaign, it can be noted that Frankfurt’s man produces slightly more dynamic playmaking performances, and he’s more active in carrying the ball himself too.

Moreover, he’s a more commanding aerial presence. This is less important than in years past, Slot opting against the cross-heavy style of Jurgen Klopp, and especially so now that Trent Alexander-Arnold has signed for Real Madrid, but it still adds an important dimension.

We can nitpick who ranked higher than who across the past 12 months, but there are some caveats that are worth noting: namely, Isak plies his trade in the Premier League, widely regarded as a tougher division than the Bundesliga.

Isak’s slight inferiority in ball-carrying numbers also owes to his drop-back duties in Eddie Howe’s squad, influencing from deeper and progressing play forward with stroked passes and off-the-ball movements.

What does matter is Isak has been drawn by FBref as one of Ekitike’s most comparable players, indicating a stylistic approach that could see the France talent dovetail into Slot’s system, for Isak has been comprehensively profiled and would be the perfect fit.

But given the exorbitant price demands Newcastle have placed on the table, it surely makes more sense to go for the younger man, who has been praised for his “incredible” quality by teammate Rasmus Kristensen.

Though an uncut gem, Ekitike is still a jewel who could sit at the front of the Liverpool crown for many years to come, combining with Wirtz, Salah and the like. He’s the real deal, and do Liverpool not like to take exciting talents and shape them into something refined and world-class?

He's like Salah & Isak: Liverpool join the race to sign £43m "superstar"

Liverpool may need to enforce further change up top this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 30, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur will have to balance the books soon by making key player sales, especially with the plethora of non-locally trained players in their squad, which could result in them having to submit a weakened Champions League squad.

£100k-a-week Tottenham star now wants to join elite manager at another club

Spurs need to sell players due to a key UEFA rule.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jul 11, 2025

Due to UEFA rules, Spurs require at least eight ‘locally trained’ players to be named in their 25-man list, and if they cannot meet this quota, then their total of A-list players will be reduced to make up the deficit.

While Morgan Gibbs-White’s potential arrival – which has now been delayed due to legal complications – could have a positive impact on this, given he came through the Wolves academy, their recent signing of Mohammed Kudus means that the north Londoners currently boast around 24 non-locally trained players in their current squad, even if this does include the likes of Manor Solomon, Bryan Gil, Yang-min Hyeok, Luka Vuskovic and Kota Takai.

Taking this into account, The Telegraph reports that Tottenham will need to sell at least one player this summer, and there are plenty of candidates.

Gil and Solomon are very likely to be sold after spending 2024/2025 out on loan at Girona and Leeds United respectively, with the former already confirming his intention to leave N17 in the coming weeks.

“That’s something my agent will tell me where things are going, but they [Spurs] told me, and I told them, that the best thing is for us not to continue being linked to Tottenham,” said Gil to Estadio Deportivo in April.

“They bet on me when I was young, and they’ve treated me fairly well, but if I have to go back there, I’ll focus on giving my best as always. I’m calm because no one can have a bad word to say about me not being professional. Without playing, I’ve always trained well, I’ve done what I had to do, so whatever has to happen, will happen. We’ll see where we are next year.”

Son Heung-min has entered the final 12 months of his contract and may be sold by Spurs, according to recent reports, with Yves Bissouma also attracting interest from Turkey.

However, another option could be injury-plagued striker Richarlison.

Richarlison likely to leave Tottenham as Vasco de Gama phone him

They’re very unlikely to make a substantial fee back off the £60 million they paid Everton to sign the Brazil striker in 2022, but Tottenham’s signings of Gibbs-White and Kudus will only push him further down the attacking pecking order.

Spurs are also still interested in signing Brentford star Yoane Wissa, and if they were to sensationally bring in the Bees star too, it would surely draw the curtain on Richarlison’s north London career.

The 28-year-old, barring a fine purple patch under Ange Postecoglou midway through 2023/2024, has found life very difficult at Spurs overall – with journalist Leonardo Lacerda, via Bolavip, sharing that clubs in Brazil could offer him a route back home.

Lacerda is quoted saying that Vasco de Gama president, Pedrinho, has personally phoned Richarlison to gauge the possibility of a transfer, but the ex-Watford man also has admirers in Saudi Arabia.

“It’s happening! President Pedrinho, accompanied by a member of the Vasco leadership, contacted Richarlison directly through a phone call,” said Lacerda.

“The goal was to get a closer look at the striker’s situation, as he’s unlikely to remain at Tottenham next season. In addition to Vasco, the striker is attracting interest from Fluminense, Flamengo, and Palmeiras. Two Saudi Arabian clubs have also entered the fray—Al Ahli and Al Ittihad.”

With Richarlison emerging as a real man in demand, it is now Levy’s task to set a realistic asking price, with reports suggesting Spurs will let him go for around £20 million.

Manchester United are now expected to accelerate talks to sign a “fantastic” forward, who is set to be available for a fee of £35m, according to a report.

Man Utd set to miss out on Gyokeres

It was always going to be a tall order to convince Viktor Gyokeres to move to Old Trafford, having missed out on Champions League Football, and it now appears as though the striker is edging closer to joining one of Man United’s Premier League rivals.

As such, the Red Devils will likely need to move on to alternative targets, and they have identified a number of potential options, many of whom have experience in the Premier League.

According to a report from Spain, Man United are also expected to accelerate talks to sign Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, with negotiations over a potential £35m deal likely to move quickly, given both clubs’ willingness to make a deal.

At the moment, discussions are in their early stages, but United are looking to strike an agreement soon, having made it clear they want to take the forward to Old Trafford, with more talks set to take place in the coming weeks.

Man Utd now in race with Tottenham to sign "unreal" defender for £25m

Amorim is looking to upgrade his defensive options.

By
Brett Worthington

Jul 7, 2025

"Fantastic" Nkunku could reignite career at Old Trafford

The Frenchman’s time at Stamford Bridge hasn’t gone exactly to plan, picking up just three goals and two assists in the Premier League last season, but his previous exploits in the Bundesliga suggest he has the quality to succeed in England.

During his final two seasons in Germany, the 27-year-old amassed a remarkable 36 goals in the league alone, and given his age, he still has plenty of time to rediscover his previous form in front of goal.

Former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino was also left impressed by the France international’s exploits in a RB Leipzig shirt, saying: “He is a player, a fantastic player, that was top scorer in the Bundesliga and he can play in different positions. His quality is amazing.”

Paul Merson has insisted that Nkunku is unlucky to be behind Cole Palmer at Chelsea and could flourish at another club, but it may also be worth bringing in an out-and-out striker alongside the former Leipzig man, given that he most commonly plays in attacking midfield.