All posts by z3u9t.icu

The noise and, from many, joy from Liverpool’s wretched run of form of late is perhaps a marker of just how mighty Anfield has become over the past decade.

It is ten years since Jurgen Klopp took the reins from Brendan Rodgers, the last Reds boss before Arne Slot to succumb to a four-game losing run.

But Liverpool are vastly different to that long-forgotten iteration, and Slot has within his grasp some of the best players in world football. The 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League served as a reminder that this is a team capable of winning all the biggest prizes – again.

However, some individuals are struggling, and the team as a unit has struggled to find fluent form. One of the biggest culprits would be Alexis Mac Allister, whose grace ability and determination in the engine room is crucial for the performance of the Slot machine.

Mac Allister's form for Liverpool

Mac Allister is undoubtedly one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. Certainly, he is among the most complete, the most spirited, the most inventive.

But he hasn’t been quite right this year, with Sofascore recording he has lost 57% of his ground duels in the league thus far, only making one tackle per match.

Whereas the Argentine has been virtually undroppable across his first two years in a Liverpool shirt, he now looks more vulnerable in the starting line-up, and the midweek win over Frankfurt emphasised this, for he was left on the bench after lasting only an hour against Manchester United.

Mac Allister’s form has been a concern this season, but he is an elite player and crucial to Liverpool’s success. The 26-year-old has, in some ways, given Slot his own version of Thiago Alcantara, whose career was cut short right before the Dutchman’s arrival. But, as with Thiago, Liverpool seem to be finding a way to perform without the star in the mix.

The tempo-setting, line-breaking maestro offered something unique in the Liverpool engine room, and in this, Liverpool evolved in that later Klopp team.

The problem, of course, is that the retired 34-year-old was rarely fit. Across four campaigns on Merseyside, the Spain star managed only 98 appearances across all competitions.

But his technical quality, vision and awareness were faculties unlike anything else Liverpool had. In Mac Allister, the Reds have a midfielder with stylistic similarities, but there’s actually another man in Slot’s first team who could be Liverpool’s new version of their former superstar.

Liverpool's new version of Thiago

Sometimes in football, the timings just don’t work out. Steven Gerrard missed the Klopp era by a whisker, leaving for LA Galaxy only months before the German’s historic appointment.

Likewise, Thiago would retire from football prematurely at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, having made only one appearance that year due to non-stop injury setbacks. He was 33 years old.

Thus, he missed the incipient Slot era and the Premier League title that would arrive at Anfield’s doorstep just one year after he hung up the boots.

The greatest travesty of it all is that the stylish Spaniard boasted a playing style which is tailor-made for the calculated, composed build-up Liverpool have developed since Klopp’s departure. Gone (last season, at least) is the frenetic, out-of-control football that Slot’s predecessor employed – emphatically and to silver-laden success.

Thiago is one of the greatest technicians of his generation. He would have been the linchpin for this version of Liverpool. But Slot may have an heir in Curtis Jones.

Yes, you read that right. No, this argument does not centre around the basis that Jones is on the same level as the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich sensation in his prime.

But the Liverpool-born star shares certain qualities with his one-time teammate, with both among the squad’s most reliable players on the ball and bearing combative sides, emphasised through robustness in the challenge and tough-tackling defensive contributions.

Jones graduated from Liverpool’s academy and has been with his boyhood outfit ever since, and though he played a role under Klopp’s wing, Slot’s tactics have given rise to his skillset and seen him become “one of the most underrated players in England”, as said by one Premier League analyst.

Jones is an effortless passer. He’s intelligent with his decision-making, and he is tactically disciplined. As per FBref, the Three Lions star ranks among the top 11% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues for assists, the top 8% for goal-creating actions, the top 2% for pass completion, the top 12% for progressive passes and the top 13% for progressive carries per 90.

He’s also well-seasoned within this Liverpool team, and when the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk depart, both into their penultimate years on Merseyside, he will be among the leading figures at the club.

Mohamed Salah

33

413

Andy Robertson

31

349

Virgil van Dijk

34

331

Alisson

33

307

Joe Gomez

28

245

Curtis Jones

24

190

Thiago joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich for £20m in 2020 and would ebb and flow. Never in doubt was his technical quality, nor the fact that he could have been a divisional great with better luck on the injury front.

There’s no question that he would have been a sublime component in Slot’s system, but in Jones, the Netherlands native has found a like-styled player who could now take the next step in his development and play a crucial deep-lying role to promote Liverpool’s ball-playing abilities.

At Frankfurt, Jones took a staggering 139 touches of the ball, linking play together and completing 122 of 127 attempted passes. This is his strength, and Slot must give him free rein from the outset to rise to the next level and take Liverpool with him.

Liverpool have signed a Salah-type player who's got the "pace of Torres"

Liverpool are watching before their eyes the birth of a superstar.

ByAngus Sinclair Oct 24, 2025

Manchester United are looking to kick on under Ruben Amorim after the win against Sunderland and could now look to beat Manchester City to a statement signing in the January window.

Manchester United look to elevate themselves in Premier League

Undoubtedly, the Red Devils have taken time to get going this season, and their start hasn’t been plain sailing as they integrate new signings and try to find their best starting line-up.

Nevertheless, a victory over Sunderland has restored morale at Old Trafford and has relieved some pressure on Amorim’s situation at the club, which will give supporters some cause for optimism as Manchester United head for the international break.

Oliver Glasner has been linked to the Red Devils’ hotseat, and there will be other names mentioned if results begin to take another dip, but Amorim appears safe for now and will hope his side can kick on over the coming weeks.

With international breaks splitting the season into mini-blocks, the January transfer window isn’t actually too far down the line and rumours are already beginning to circulate regarding who could come in to improve Manchester United’s squad.

Reports suggest that the Red Devils are fighting Manchester City to sign Atletico Madrid full-back Nahuel Molina in a deal that could be worth in the region of £26 million.

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ByEthan Lamb Oct 3, 2025

Truthfully, it remains to be seen if spending power is there after a summer window that saw £250 million shelled out at Old Trafford. PSR rules will need to be respected, and January is a notoriously hard month to conclude business.

Still, Manchester United may not be done in their quest to pip Manchester City to signings if recent developments are to evolve.

Man Utd look to pip Man City to sign Aleksandar Pavlovic

According to SportBild’s Tobias Altschäffl, Manchester United have made an approach via intermediaries for Bayern Munich star Aleksandar Pavlovic and he is now firmly on their radar alongside rivals Manchester City, who have been strongly linked with the player for weeks.

He said when asked by Christian Falk about his situation: “Juventus Turin and Paris are not yet so moving. With the English, this is absolutely true. It is known that the Pavlović side was approached via intermediaries. They would like to get Pavlović. At City, he’s even higher on the list.”

Five similar players to Aleksandar Pavlovic (FBRef)

Jordan Ferri

Sampdoria

Benjamin Bouchouari

Trabzonspor

Manu Morlanes

Mallorca

Remo Freuler

Bologna

Valentin Rongier

Rennes

Making his presence felt at the Bundesliga holders, Pavlovic has made seven appearances across all competitions this term, scoring once against Hamburg.

Primarily a holding midfielder, the Germany international could well be a long-term replacement for Casemiro. Still, the Red Devils will need to convince him that their project is worth investing in, amid a run of inconsistent results this term.

Showing ambition hasn’t been a problem so far for INEOS, though this could be their most important capture yet amid strong interest from their rivals.

Manchester City have now opened club-to-club talks over a deal for a “world-class” player, who may now be available at a 50% discount, according to a report.

City open account with dominant victory at Molineux

After falling way below their usual lofty standards last season, Man City may feel as though they have been somewhat written off, with several pundits predicting that Arsenal will finally end their long wait to win the Premier League title.

For instance, Roy Keane believes Mikel Arteta’s side will be able to get over the line, despite City making a solid addition between the sticks, saying: “I never usually bet against Pep and City. I just think maybe defensively, and I know that they’ve thrown James Trafford in there, and I think he’s a really top goalkeeper but I just have that gut feeling that I think Arsenal might do it this year.”

City laid down a marker in their opening game of the season, however, with their attacking quality on full show in a 4-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, while Trafford kept a clean sheet, in what was a solid first competitive outing.

Statistic

Number completed

Saves from inside box

3

Runs out (succ)

3

High claims

1

As such, Pep Guardiola may not need to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer, but the manager is clearly still keen to get another one through the door, having entered club-to-club talks over a deal for another shot-stopper.

Indeed, according to a report from Football Italia, Man City have now entered direct negotiations over a deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, with discussions progressing considerably over the past 24 hours.

PSG were initially set to hold out for a fee of €45m – €50m (£39m – £44m), but City have made it clear they are not willing to pay that, and a deal could be possible for around £19.5m – £22m, which would be a 50% discount.

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The French club are aware they will lose the goalkeeper on a free transfer next summer, and they are eager to save on his huge salary, meaning the Blues should be able to hash out a deal before the September 1st transfer deadline.

Donnarumma could be "world-class" addition to Pep's squad

It is surprising that PSG are willing to sanction the Italian shot-stopper’s departure, given that he was their number one throughout their Champions League-winning 2024-25 campaign, while the 26-year-old has also caught the eye at international level in the past.

As such, it is clear to see why City hold an interest in the former AC Milan goalkeeper, but it seems a little harsh on Trafford, given that the 22-year-old is ready to be first-choice, rather than a back-up.

The situation that unfolded at Arsenal, with Aaron Ramsdale leaving after David Raya’s arrival, proves that clubs simply cannot have two top goalkeepers on the books at the same time, so it would be strange to bring in Donnarumma this summer.

The cogs are whirring away down Anfield Road, and Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes must be pretty pleased with Liverpool’s progress in the transfer market.

But they have more work still to do. In spite of signing Hugo Ekitike for £79m, Liverpool are mooted to remain in the market for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, who has informed his club that he wishes to explore a move away this summer.

And though the Sweden international has many admirers, it is the Reds who lead the race.

They couldn’t, could they? Unfortunately for those not of a Liverpool persuasion, they could. FSG have run the club expertly in recent years, managing the finances with a deft touch to be in a position for big-money moves across the summer.

And while the Premier League champions have already broken their transfer record by signing through the addition of Florian Wirtz, the £100m figure potentially stretching to a British-record £116m, they are primed to break it once more here.

However, a few outgoings may be needed.

The players who might be leaving Liverpool

With Trent Alexander-Arnold having already left Liverpool for Real Madrid, there’s a chance that Ibrahima Konate might follow. The French defender has entered the final year of his contract, and negotiations over a renewal have yielded little fruit thus far.

From an attacking standpoint, the signing of Ekitike and the potential arrival of Isak would surely see Darwin Nunez leave. The 25-year-old has fallen down the pecking order in Arne Slot’s system and is being chased by Saudi Arabian suitors.

Liverpool seem happy to let him leave, but are less inclined to accept Bayern Munich’s advances for Luis Diaz, having rejected a £58.5m offer. The Bundesliga champions are expected to return for the versatile forward, who was so important for Slot’s title-winning side.

While Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon has been touted as a possible replacement for the Colombian, he’s been priced at £100m.

And when a cheaper and exciting alternative is available, the track to head down becomes clear.

Liverpool lining up Diaz replacement

According to Fabrizio Romano, Lyon’s Malick Fofana is one of the names on FSG’s list as they consider replacements for Diaz, who may indeed have played his last competitive game for the Reds.

The 20-year-old has put his name on the map over the past 18 months in France, and is also courted by Bayern, though their curiosity will fade away in the case they do sign Diaz.

Fofana might be young, but his talent is clear. Lyon recognise this, and as such have priced him at €60m (£51m).

Why Liverpool want Malick Fofana

Hailed for his “explosive” athleticism by analyst Ben Mattinson, Fofana has established himself over the past few years, leaving his Belgian homeland in January 2024 when joining Lyon from Genk for a €22m (£19m).

That figure made an interesting comment from the off regarding Fofana’s skill set, and having now featured 62 times for the Ligue 1 side, scoring 15 goals and supplying eight assists, he’s shaping into quite the interesting winger.

While Isak would be replacing Diaz at centre-forward, the 28-year-old is typically a winger, and someone like Fofana would be a more direct heir.

And given that he might end up costing around half of what has been demanded for the Prem-proven Gordon, FSG may well opt to sign the lesser-known talent, especially since the likes of Wirtz and Cody Gakpo already reside in the Liverpool ranks.

Matches (starts)

29 (16)

34 (28)

Goals

5

6

Assists

4

5

Shots (on target)*

1.1 (0.5)

1.7 (0.6)

Big chances missed

4

10

Pass completion

84%

81%

Big chances created

6

6

Key passes*

0.9

1.5

Dribbles*

0.8

1.1

Tackles*

1.1

0.9

Duels won*

2.9

4.4

Sure, Gordon rode the crest of a wave after the 2023/24 season, awarded Newcastle’s Player of the Year, having notched 22 goal involvements in the Premier League, but that year was followed by a regression in output and confidence.

His creativity and tenacious style were still clear, but Fofana is showing himself to have the making of a clinical winger beyond the goalscoring level of Gordon.

Does Gordon’s progress warrant the £100m fee? He’s a fine player, to be sure, with a Merseyside connection besides, but there’s little sense in forking out such a sum when there’s a player like Fofana waiting for his breakout move.

While Gordon has forged a slick partnership with Isak over the past few years, Fofana is considered by data-driven site FBref to be a statistically similar player to the England international, so he has the athletic, snappy style to thrive alongside the Swede.

It’s chalked down that the Belgian ranked among the top 10% of positional peers last term for non-penalty goals scored and the top 2% for progressive carries per 90.

Isak’s quality is such that he could elevate the level of any winger worth their salt, but Gordon is indeed tactically aligned with the number nine to a higher degree.

By signing Fofana as Diaz’s replacement this summer, Slot could capture that synergy and use it to Liverpool’s gain, fashioning another angle out of his burgeoning superpower.

Gakpo 2.0: Liverpool now eyeing "one of the best young talents in football"

Liverpool still have a few more transfer targets in their sights this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 24, 2025

Leeds United certainly had no problem in front of goal in the 2024/25 Championship season. It was a fantastic campaign for the Whites, who reached 100 points and won the league title on goal difference, which perhaps hints at just how clinical they were.

According to FBref, the 95 goals which Daniel Farke’s side scored last term was better than any other side in the division, smashing second-place Norwich’s tally of 71. Leeds overachieved when it came to goals scored, too. Their expected goals tally was 89.1xG, highlighting just how deadly they were in front of goal.

Incredibly, it seems like they will add to the firepower of that attack, but looking to sign a striker this summer.

The latest on Leeds’ pursuit of a striker

It has already been a busy summer at Elland Road when it comes to new signings. Jaka Bijol joined from Udinese as the most costly addition. Fellow centre-back Sebastiaan Bornauw and Gabriel Gudmundsson, a left-back, have also signed. Lukas Nmecha has joined the club on a free transfer.

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Next up for the Yorkshire outfit could well be someone on a temporary deal, rather than a permanent signing. A report from journalist Graeme Bailey claims the Whites ‘have now registered their interest in signing’ Real Madrid starlet Gonzalo Garcia this summer.

It has been a whirlwind month or so for the striker, who burst onto the scene in the Club World Cup for Los Blancos. However, Leeds, along with Sunderland, Brentford and West Ham United, are plotting an ambitious loan move for the attacker this summer.

The striker ‘is believed to be keen to play regular first-team football’, with Leeds one of the sides who could pounce, although they could reportedly face competition from Chelsea, who were said to be ready to pay €40m (£34m) for his signature.

Why Garcia would be a good signing

It was certainly a breakout tournament in the recent Club World Cup for Garcia. Journalist Zach Lowy was full of praise for the youngster and described his efforts as “world class” during the competition, which Chelsea went on to win.

In total, the 21-year-old, who was born in Madrid, has played 12 times for the first team at the Santiago Bernabeu. He’s managed five goals and two assists in those few appearances, which included one strike in three games during 2023/24.

However, it was the recent Club World Cup where Garcia rose to stardom. He scored four goals in six games, grabbing one assist, too. Despite Madrid getting eliminated by PSG in the semi-final, Garcia took the Golden Boot home with him.

Some of his stats from the competition, courtesy of Sofascore, show just what Leeds see in him, to help add to the masses of goals already in their attack. For example, the Spaniard averaged 1.4 shots on target and 0.8 goals per 90 minutes. He certainly knows where to find the back of the net.

Minutes

450

75

Goals

4

0.8

Shots

11

2.2

Shots on target

7

1.4

Key passes

4

0.8

Aerial duels won

6

1.2

If Farke’s side are successful in bringing Garcia to Elland Road, he could be the biggest talent they’ve had since Archie Gray left the club. The 19-year-old joined Tottenham Hotspur last summer, ending a lifelong association with his boyhood club.

He made 52 appearances in that famous White shirt, at both right-back and his natural position in the centre of midfield. His contributions in 2023/24 helped Leeds reach the Championship playoff final, where they ultimately lost to Southampton.

It certainly feels like Garcia could be the best talent Elland Road has had since their homegrown star departed. Gray has been highly rated across the footballing world for some time. Last year, he was named 43rd on Goal’s NXGN list, which included Lamine Yamal, Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro.

It might be too soon for the Los Blancos youngster to be there, given the fact he hasn’t played much football, but just look at how he lit up the Club World Cup. This seems to be a player destined for the top.

He is a player who has already starred on the world stage, so it would be a huge coup for Leeds if they pull it off.

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ByDan Emery Jul 15, 2025

A “natural leader” is now pushing behind-the-scenes to join Rangers this week, ahead of the crucial Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos, according to a report.

Gers gearing up for Panathinaikos clash

The all-important Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos is now on the horizon, with the first leg due to take place at Ibrox next Tuesday, but UEFA’s squad registration rules could cause the Gers a few problems.

No more than 25 players can be named on list A, with eight spots reserved for locally trained players, but Russell Martin currently only has seven to choose from, which means the manager is at risk of forfeiting one of the places in his squad.

The Light Blues need to try and get as many bodies through the door as possible ahead of the initial deadline of this Thursday at 11pm, and Martin appears to be particularly keen to bring in a new centre-back.

Rangers star agrees to leave with deal now on the verge of being finalised

He looks to be heading for the exit door.

ByTom Cunningham Jul 15, 2025

Rangers have now joined the race for Volendam defender Xavier Mbuyamba, while they are also well-known to be interested in Leicester City’s Conor Coady, and there has now been a new update on their pursuit of the Englishman.

According to a report from The Daily Record, Coady is now pushing behind-the-scenes to secure a move to Ibrox, with the defender desperate to seal a move prior to Leicester embarking on a ten-day pre-season training camp in Austria on Wednesday.

It appears as though Martin would also be very happy if the deal gets the green light in the near future, considering the manager is described as a huge admirer of the Leicester defender, who has set his heart on being a part of the Gers backline.

The Foxes have delayed the move, while getting the deal for former QPR manager Marti Cifuentes over the line, and Rangers will be hoping the new Leicester boss doesn’t view the 32-year-old as part of his plans for next season.

"Natural leader" Coady could be perfect fit for Rangers

Former Gers striker Jermaine Defoe clearly believes the 32-year-old would be a solid signing, saying: “Conor can lead from the back and he’ll be a massive signing for Rangers. He’s a natural leader and you don’t get many of them. Some players develop that over their career.

“But with someone like Conor, I think he’s been like that from a young kid, it’s natural.”

It is clear to see why Defoe holds the Leicester defender in high regard, given that he is vastly experienced at Premier League level, making 198 appearances in the top flight, while also amassing ten caps for his country.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man was very impressive during his time at Molineux, missing just one Premier League game across four full seasons.

Given that he is in the latter stages of his career, Coady has started to receive less game time since moving to Leicester for £7.5m, but his leadership qualities mean he could still be a fantastic signing for Rangers.

It wouldn’t be hyperbole to say the last few weeks have felt like something of a whirlwind for Arsenal.

After a slow start to the transfer window, the Premier League runners-up have now officially announced the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Andrea Berta and Co don’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon either, as both Viktor Gyokeres and Eberechi Eze continue to be heavily touted for moves to the Emirates.

However, the star that appears set to be announced by the club is Noni Madueke, and while he could be a hit, Mikel Arteta already has someone in his position worth millions more, and no, it’s not Bukayo Saka.

Why Arsenal want Madueke

It would be fair to say that the reaction to Arsenal’s interest and imminent signing of Madueke this week hasn’t exactly gone down well with large swathes of the fanbase.

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The mood from some sections has been so sour that it led to journalist Sam Dean asking if any big money signing had caused such a commotion in the past.

With the final fee reported to be around £52m, it is easy to see where some fans are coming from, as in a summer in which the club needs to bring in some game-changing signings, it seems like a perplexing use of funds.

However, when we take a look at some of his data, some things jump out and point to why Arteta and Co might want to bring him in.

For example, FBref ranked him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries and carries into the penalty area and the top 7% for total progressive carrying distance, all per 90.

Progressive Carries

6.82

Top 1%

Carries into Penalty Area

4.12

Top 1%

GCA (Defensive Action)

0.04

Top 4%

Touches (Att Pen)

8.15

Top 4%

Non-Penalty xG

0.43

Top 6%

Shots Total

3.54

Top 7%

Progressive Carrying Distance

154.28

Top 7%

Shots on Target

1.33

Top 8%

In a team that was sometimes critiqued by fans and pundits alike last season for being too slow and predictable in build-up, these attributes could be beneficial in disrupting opposition defences.

Moreover, he would be able to provide cover for the talismanic Saka and, in turn, help prevent him from being overplayed and picking up more injuries.

However, Arteta already has a player fulfilling that role, and he’s worth millions more than Madueke.

The Arsenal star worth millions more than Madueke

Arsenal are blessed with an abundance of incredible talents in their squad, but in this instance, we are talking about none other than Ethan Nwaneri.

The tremendously exciting youngster has been someone fans have known about since his debut at just 15 years old in 2022, but it was last season that he really shot to prominence.

In fact, the teenage talent has made such a splash in the last year or so that Football Transfers now value him at around €74.3m, which comes out to about £64m, or £12m more than Madueke is set to cost.

It might seem like an absurd price tag for someone so young, but we really don’t think it is.

For example, despite starting last season as a 17-year-old, the “phenomenal” talent, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, scored nine goals and provided two assists in just 1378 senior minutes.

That means that in his first proper taste of first-team football, when playing in Europe and the toughest league in the world, he averaged a goal involvement every 125.27 minutes.

In contrast, the soon-to-be Arsenal player scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 2647 minutes, which is an average of a goal involvement every 165.43 minutes.

Appearances

37

46

Minutes

1378′

2647′

Goals

9

11

Assists

2

5

Goal Involvements per Match

0.29

0.34

Minutes per Goal Involvement

125.27′

165.43′

Moreover, the Enfield-born ace can play in several positions, making him even more useful than the average player.

Finally, the sheer fact that he’s looked at home in the first team at his age is a great indicator that Arsenal have a serious talent on their hands.

Ultimately, signing Madueke might work out in the long run for Arteta and Co., but he’s going to have to hit the ground running to convince the fans and see his valuation get anywhere near Nwaneri’s.

Eze's dream forward: Arsenal plot move for "world-class" £50m goal machine

He would be unreal for Arsenal.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 11, 2025

Already closing in on Bryan Mbeumo, Manchester United are now reportedly very keen to sign an upgrade on Casemiro in the form of a £35m midfield star this summer.

Man Utd submit fresh Mbeumo bid

It hasn’t been the easiest deal to negotiate and the winger is yet to sign on the dotted line, but Manchester United’s latest bid to sign Mbeumo could yet prove to be successful at long last. The Red Devils have reportedly offered Brentford over £60m to sign their talented star who looks destined to become the second summer arrival at Old Trafford sooner rather than later.

Mbeumo’s arrival would take United’s spending to over £160m for the summer despite missing out on European football and often watching on as INEOS implemented several money-saving plans.

Success on the pitch has been given the priority no matter what, however, and the pressure will now be on Ruben Amorim to get the best out of his side next season.

What’s more, it seems unlikely at this stage that it will just be Cunha and Mbeumo who arrive. The likes of Emiliano Martinez have threatened to steal the headlines in recent weeks as Aston Villa attempt to comply with PSR rules, as has Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.

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1 ByEthan Lamb Jun 25, 2025

Both arrivals would again offer Amorim much-needed upgrades on Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund, who has been linked with a move to Inter Milan in recent weeks.

Before Martinez and Ekitike enter Old Trafford, though, United may turn their focus towards a talented defensive midfielder worth just £34m this summer.

Man Utd very keen to sign Jashari

According to HLN, as relayed by Get Belgian & Dutch Football News, Manchester United are now very keen to sign Ardon Jashari from Club Brugge and, unlike others, are not put off by his €40m (£34m) price tag.

The Red Devils would be signing a player who was just voted the best player in Belgium – winning the Player of the Season award in the Belgium Pro League – and one who would be an instant upgrade on the ageing Casemiro.

Dubbed “impressive” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Jashari certainly isn’t short on suitors this summer but it’s a race that Manchester United could have the financial power to win once again.

If the 22-year-old was the follow Cunha and Mbeumo through the Old Trafford doors then Amorim would instantly have three very impressive signings to work with this summer.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be targeting even more success in the 2025/26 campaign after his side failed to clinch the domestic treble this season.

The Hoops won the Scottish Premiership title and the League Cup, beating Rangers on penalties in the final, but they lost to Aberdeen in the final of the SFA Cup last month.

Celtic also reached the play-off round of the Champions League, in which they were knocked out by German outfit Bayern Munich, and they may want to go further in the European competition next term.

The Scottish giants will be in the market to bolster their squad in order to improve their trophy haul next season, and they have already dipped into the market to make one new signing.

Left-back Kieran Tierney will officially sign for the Hoops on a free transfer at the end of the month, when his contract with Premier League side Arsenal expires.

Six years on from his move to The Emirates from Parkhead, the Scotland international is returning to Glasgow to be Brendan Rodgers’ first-choice left-back.

Why Kieran Tierney is a good signing for Celtic

The Scotland international is set to fill a hole for the Scottish giants because Greg Taylor is out of contract and is yet to put pen to paper on an extension at Paradise.

This means that Tierney will walk in as the immediate first-choice left-back to start week-in-week-out when available for the Hoops in the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.

The 28-year-old star could be a terrific addition for the club because, as evidenced in the graphic above, he has already proven that he can deliver in the Premiership, winning five titles during his first spell at Paradise.

Tierney knows what it takes to play for Celtic, having come up through the youth system, and could deliver a big threat as a creator down the left flank, given his 37 assists in 170 matches from a left-back position the first time around.

This suggests that the free transfer could be a very good signing for Celtic, because he is a known quantity who could hit the ground running next season, but there are some concerns over his fitness issues.

24/25

1

160

18

23/24

3

103

21

22/23

0

0

0

21/22

2

116

17

20/21

4

87

19

19/20

1

97

19

18/19

5

140

27

17/18

1

23

5

16/17

1

86

16

As you can see in the table above, Tierney has a less-than-assuring injury history throughout his career, spanning across his time at Celtic, Arsenal, and Real Sociedad.

This means that Rodgers may have to worry about whether or not he will be available week-in-week-out, which may take some of the excitement out of his arrival whilst there are still those concerns.

The Hoops are, however, reportedly on track to complete a deal for a player who would be an even more exciting addition than Tierney this summer.

Celtic expected to sign new forward

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, FC Nordsjaelland forward Benjamin Nygren is “expected” to complete a move to Celtic in the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that Belgian giants Anderlecht expect the player to sign for the Scottish Premiership champions, after they held talks with the winger’s agents.

Transfer Focus

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

Anderlecht understand that the 23-year-old attacker has decided to turn down a move to the Pro League in order to link up with the Hoops this summer.

This news is backed up by Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, who claims that Celtic have agreed terms with the Sweden international, beating off competition from across Europe.

If this move now goes through as expected, Nygren could arrive at Parkhead this summer as an even more exciting signing than Tierney for the club.

Why Benjamin Nygren is more exciting than Kieran Tierney

Positionally, a winger is naturally more exciting than a left-back from a fan perspective, as they are the players who get supporters off their feet by taking defenders on and delivering goals and assists on a regular basis.

At the age of 23, Nygren is also a young player with potential who could grow and develop over the years to come, whilst Tierney is heading into the latter years of his peak at the age of 28. This means that the Swedish star is also more exciting in terms of what he could go on to achieve in a Celtic shirt, and his possible resale value in the future.

The Sweden international, who Danish Scout on X claimed is a “no-brainer” signing for the Hoops, also has the quality on the ball to excite supporters with his play at the top end of the pitch from a right wing position.

xG

10.90

Top 4%

xG on target

16.95

Top 1%

Shots on target

40

Top 1%

Goals

15

Top 1%

xA

5.97

Top 8%

Assists

2

Top 50%

As you can see in the table above, Nygren is a lethal finisher who can outperform the quality of chances that are created for him, as evidenced by his 6.95 xG overperformance based on the quality of his shots on target.

This shows that he would provide an efficient presence in front of goal to find the back of the net on a regular basis for Celtic, which could make him an exciting player for the club as a huge attacking threat.

Nygren’s assist tally of two should be taken into context, too, because he had an xA of 5.97, which suggests that his teammates did not provide enough quality with their finishing.

The winger, who scored 15 goals in 28 Superliga starts, has shown the kind of impact that he can have at the top end of the pitch in domestic football, but also scored an eye-catching five goals in five Conference League matches during the 2023/24 campaign, which shows that he can also deliver on the European stage.

Unlike Tierney, the forward also has a promising injury record. The attacker has only missed 14 matches through injury since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, which means that Celtic can realistically expect count on him to be available most weeks.

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Overall, Nygren would be a more exciting signing than Tierney for Celtic due to his style of play, as a winger, his age profile and potential, his injury history, and his impressive statistics in Denmark.

Derby County are interested in signing an “absolute Rolls-Royce” of a footballer this summer, according to a new update from journalist Alan Nixon.

Who will Derby sign this summer?

John Eustace will be looking forward to having a first full summer in charge of the Rams, both in terms of bringing in the right players and also having plenty of time on the training ground with his squad.

Derby have been linked with plenty of potential signings of late, as they look to build on last season’s 19th-place finish, including Blackburn Rovers centre-back Danny Batth, who Eustace already knows well. The 34-year-old averaged 4.2 aerial duel wins per game in the Championship last season, also winning five Man of the Match awards from WhoScored.

Meanwhile, Lincoln City midfielder Ethan Erhahon has also been mentioned as a possible addition for the Rams before next season gets underway, with coach Michael Skubala heaping praise on him last year.

“He played in there as a sort of single six today, so that was really difficult for him in terms of physicality. What I was really impressed with is how he got about the pitch and he showed his quality at times. And yeah, what a great finish. But he’s such a big player for us in there. But what I was really impressed with today, was how he controlled the centre of the pitch for most of the game, which was brilliant.”

Now, another name has been thrown into the hat for Derby, and as is the case with Batth, it is a player who Eustace has worked with before.

Eustace eyeing Derby reunion with "Rolls-Royce"

According to Nixon on Patreon [via Football League World], Derby want to sign £1m-rated Birmingham City central defender Dion Sanderson, sealing a reunion with Eustace in the process.

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The pair worked alongside each other during Eustace’s stint at Blackburn last season, with the defender on loan at Ewood Park from the Midlands side.

Sanderson could be a really shrewd signing for Derby, not least because he was once considered a player with a big future, being lauded by former Sunderland manager Lee Johnson.

“He’s a centre-half and at his age level he is an absolute Rolls-Royce. Obviously he is stepping up to men’s football and when you do that you come up against different challenges, as Dion did yesterday and he came through that.”

Still only 25, Sanderson still has so much to offer, and with Birmingham seemingly not considering him a key part of their plans, a move to Derby could be the perfect outcome for all parties.