All posts by z3u9t.icu

An “unbelievable” manager has now emerged as Manchester United’s top target to replace Ruben Amorim, who has made a poor start to the new campaign.

Doubts over Amorim's Man Utd future after slow start

With Man United winning their final game before the international break, defeating Burnley 3-2 at Old Trafford, Amorim appears to be safe in the short-term, but there are doubts about how long the 40-year-old will be able to last in the job.

Former Arsenal defender William Gallas has even suggested the Portuguese coach could be gone by the end of the year, saying: “He looks lost. I don’t think his body language and emotional response are giving a good impression to his players or the Manchester United fans,

“Looking at him, I’m not sure he’ll make it to Christmas, to be honest, because it feels like United are one poor performance or defeat away from a crisis.”

The former Sporting CP boss has struggled ever since his arrival at Old Trafford, with his points per match ratio particularly concerning, and the shock defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup certainly won’t have done the manager any favours.

Games

46

Wins

17

Draws

12

Losses

17

Points per match

1.37

Consequently, according to a report from Football Insider, Man United have now started to identify potential replacements for Amorim, and they have selected Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as their top target.

INEOS are not actively looking to bring in a replacement for their manager straight away, but they have now started to assess the market, and Emery has emerged as an appealing option, given the job he has done at Villa.

The 53-year-old replaced Steven Gerrard at Villa Park in November 2022, taking over when the Villans were just above the relegation zone, and he has since led them to the Champions League and Europa League in back-to-back seasons.

Man Utd join race to sign £40k-a-week England int'l who's impressed Tuchel

The Red Devils “have been looking at” an England player, who has impressed during the current international break.

ByDominic Lund Sep 9, 2025 Emery could be "unbelievable" Amorim replacement

While the Spaniard has undoubtedly done a fantastic job at Aston Villa, there are doubts over how much further he can take them, given his current employers’ PSR issues, which limited their spending in the summer transfer window.

As such, a move to Old Trafford could potentially appeal to the Villa boss, who has enjoyed an incredibly successful career up to this point, winning 11 trophies across spells with Sevilla, Villarreal and Paris Saint-Germain.

Villa striker Louie Barry, who is currently on loan at Sheffield United, has also praised the former PSG manager’s training sessions, saying: “Unai Emery is an unbelievable coach for improving players. It was crazy to me how similar the training was to my time in Barcelona.”

Should they sack Amorim, Man United could do with bringing in a proven Premier League manager, who has a history of winning trophies, and Emery ticks both boxes.

A new season will soon dawn, and for Arsenal, it’s the same objective: challenge for and win the Premier League.

Having finished second for three successive campaigns, Mikel Arteta knows that this year is a big one, with the Gunners in desperate need of crowning this resurgent era with silverware.

But it’s coming together, no doubt. Bukayo Saka is fully fit once again after an injury-hit 2024/25 season; Viktor Gyokeres has signed for £63.5m to end the interminable search for a focal striker.

But a first-class left-sided forward could still be added to complete the set. Not since the days of Alexis Sanchez have Arsenal had a world-class weapon on that wing.

But it’s beginning to look like such a signing could be on the cards.

Arsenal lining up new winger

Many names have been bandied about this summer, but Arsenal are reaching a point in their transfer window in which the fog will start to clear and Arteta’s final market plans will crystallise.

Fabrizio Romano claimed at the weekend that, with Gyokeres now part of the crew, the Londoners are “working on outgoings as priority” before addressing the left flank, which could do with a new part.

But when they are ready to pounce, it looks like Arsenal have lined up Eberechi Eze as their new man.

According to Caught Offside, the Gunners should be wary of rising interest from Manchester’s biggest clubs for the Three Lions star, though it’s stressed that Arsenal remain firm favourites after their sustained efforts over the past weeks.

Previous reports have revealed that Arsenal have seen an opening bid partially accepted. To be more specific, a fixed £30m fee has been agreed between the clubs, though the structure of the remainder of Eze’s £68m release clause remains unsettled.

Why Arsenal should sign Eberechi Eze

There are many reasons why Eze would be a fantastic addition to Arteta’s Arsenal squad.

The 27-year-old, first and foremost, is an electric and versatile attacking midfielder, having gone from strength to strength across his five years at Selhurst Park, culminating his journey with the winning goal in last season’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Eze’s 25-goal contribution campaign underscores his ability to provide more than just a showreel style of play. He’s increasingly potent in the final third, capable of scoring goals himself and focusing on his creativity to aid the likes of Gyokeres.

As per FBref, he ranked among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues last year for shots taken, the top 11% for shot-creating actions and the top 10% for successful take-ons per 90.

He’s quite the exciting player, all right, praised for his “special” talents by BBC Sports’ Phil McNulty.

In fact, Eze could prove to bring a bit of flair and gusto to this Arsenal side in a way that would bear a likeness to that man Sanchez, who scored 80 goals and supplied 44 assists across 166 games for the Gunners, way back when.

Obviously, Eze isn’t as good as the 36-year-old was when in his Premier League prime. It wouldn’t be a bad take to claim that he was the best player in England at the height of his success at the Emirates.

Matches (starts)

38 (36)

34 (31)

Goals

24

8

Assists

10

8

Shots (on target)*

3.4 (1.3)

3.0 (0.9)

Touches*

65.0

46.6

Pass completion

74%

82%

Big chances created

10

11

Key passes

2.2

1.7

Dribbles*

2.8

2.0

Tackles + interceptions*

2.0

1.4

Duels won*

6.4

4.8

Sanchez really was on another level in his Arsenal heyday, wasn’t he? Eze, obviously, isn’t at that level, but he shares many attributes with the thrill-seeking Chilean, and it’s something Arteta could use to shape him into a world-beater at the present day.

Bear in mind, furthermore, that we’re contrasting Sanchez’s finest season in the Premier League against Eze’s latest with Crystal Palace. It wouldn’t be brazen to suggest that Eze’s most fruitful days lie in front of him, should he sign for Arsenal this summer.

Thus, it’s rather exciting to see how complete, tenacious, talented the England international is at this stage of his career, refined and built into the elite player he is, but still open to taking the next step and reaching the pinnacle.

Similarities can be traced from here to Sanchez, who established himself as a high-class forward at Barcelona but lingered in the shadow of one of football’s greatest-ever frontlines: MSN.

At Arsenal, he bloomed into an iconic frontman, hailed by Arsene Wenger as being a truly “exceptional footballer”.

He wasn’t a spring chicken when he first arrived in the English capital. The South American chose Arsenal despite the vested interest of Liverpool, penned a deal worth £35m in July 2014. He was 25 at the time.

Given that the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United are interested in Eze right now, it seems Arsenal may be primed to pull off another statement signing, reeling in a player who has his heart set on north London red.

Eze is in his prime, and he’s got a taste for trophies that could be used to spearhead this project further, up and up past these years of fighting for honours and onto the biggest, grandest stage there is: winning the Premier League, sealing the Champions League, and then defending these prizes which the talented squad so desperately desire.

Given the quality of the current Arsenal attacking crop, it feels crucial that Arteta and Berta come together to get this one wrapped up.

Better than Trossard & Martinelli: Arsenal chasing £56m Eze alternative

Arsenal are looking to sign a creative player before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 28, 2025

Birmingham City will be looking to press on this summer with even more exciting signings joining the St Andrew’s camp.

Chris Davies has recently stated that this is the intention when speaking to Birmingham Live, with seven brand new faces entering the club already not quite enough, as he insists that this newly promoted side needs ‘all the quality we can get’ to hit the ground running in the Championship.

Another striker addition might now be deemed a priority, with a report by Football League World revealing that Alfie May is set to leave Davies and Co. behind for a fresh League One challenge at Huddersfield Town.

This would be a big blow that the Blues would have to address, considering how many times last campaign the experienced centre-forward came up clutch for his promotion-chasing outfit with crucial goals.

Why losing May is a blow for Birmingham

Of course, around £10m has just been splashed out to land Kyogo Furuhashi as a thrilling capture up top, but May regularly proved during the Blues’ promotion heroics his vital nature from off the bench, which could well have been an effective calling card up a league too.

From just 27 starts last season in league action, May rifled home a mightily impressive 16 strikes, with Jay Stansfield the only other venomous attacker in Davies’ ranks that managed to hit double digits.

However, whilst the 32-year-old is a well-known beast at the testing level – with 89 goals and counting in the third tier – he has never once set foot in the Championship, with the EFL veteran’s legs perhaps not well suited to such a demanding step-up.

This is where an earlier £10m striker target on the Birmingham shopping list could come to the rescue and be a dream replacement for the departing May, with the target in question even tasting promotion up to the Premier League just last season, whilst Davies’ men soared to the top of League One.

Birmingham's "dynamite" May replacement

Whilst there will be some sorrow regarding May’s exit when looking at his starring role in that promotion story, the second tier is an unforgiving terrain which will have factored into Birmingham’s somewhat cut-throat decision-making.

May’s exit would soon be forgotten about if the Blues did fork out £10m to land Leeds United reserve striker Mateo Joseph, with reports back in June stating that the triumphant League One champions were keen on winning the services of the Spanish hotshot, as interest now emerges from Joseph’s native country in the form of Real Betis.

Games played

39

Games started

11

Minutes per game

33 mins

Goals scored

3

Assists

3

The standout numbers from the table above really do hammer home why Joseph would be an ideal replacement for the soon-to-be Terriers attacker, with the 21-year-old offering the same amount of firepower from off the bench last season in the Championship that May offered in spades back at St. Andrew’s, as seen in his blistering six goal contributions from a meagre 11 starts.

With a further four strikes next to his name for the Whites, which included a breakneck brace finding the back of the net against Chelsea last year, he might just be capable of turning up that goalscoring notch even more if he’s given regular first-team minutes in the West Midlands.

The “dynamite” attacker – as he’s been labelled in the past by U23 scout Antonio Mango – would give Davies the best possible selection headache subsequently, with his Leeds manager in Daniel Farke, also going out of his way to shower the up-and-coming striker with praise when hailing his link-up play as “excellent.”

In an ideal world, Birmingham might have kept May around for the long run as he then finally made a name for himself in the EFL’s elite setting.

Yet, the one-season hero is now closing in on a £1.2m move to Huddersfield, meaning Joseph could be just what Birmingham desire to get over May’s exit swiftly and improve their overall squad.

Birmingham City want to sign "outstanding" former Champions League winner

Birmingham City are among the teams interested in signing a former Liverpool star.

1 ByBrett Worthington Jul 16, 2025

Lamine Yamal this, Lamine Yamal that. Arsenal have their very own budding wonderkid in the effervescent Ethan Nwaneri.

Making his Premier League debut in 2022 at the age of just 15, making him the top-flight’s youngest-ever player, Nwaneri has now become a household, truly bursting onto the scene in 2024/25.

The teenager is now 18 and has cemented himself as one of the best young players in Europe, having scored nine goals in his 37 senior appearances last season.

He scored in the Champions League, he scored against Manchester City and now he’s rivalling teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly for the PFA Young Player of the Season award.

Nwaneri then crowned his campaign off by winning the U21 European Championships with Lee Carsley’s England a week ago.

So, surely he’ll go on to become a modern-day Arsenal great, right? Well, he could actually leave.

The latest on Ethan Nwaneri's future at Arsenal

Cast your mind back to the summer of 2023, before Nwaneri signed his first professional deal at the Emirates Stadium, and there were rumours that the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City could land the talented youngster.

Thankfully for those of an Arsenal persuasion, Nwaneri stayed to develop under Mikel Arteta’s watchful eyes.

However, his first pro deal actually expires in a year’s time and according to Fabrizio Romano, he wants assurances over game time before committing his future to the club.

It’s a worrying development for the Gunners, particularly as Romano actually reveals that Chelsea have been showing interest in the player and could move if he fails to agree a new deal in north London.

Transfer Focus

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

Well, with assurances over playing time in mind, perhaps signing another creative midfielder might not be the best idea if they want to keep him.

Arsenal targeting move for a new no.10

One of the club’s main targets this summer has been Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. Some reports suggest that personal terms have already been agreed but club-to-club talks are yet to take place.

A potential alternative could be RB Leipzig midfielder Xavi Simons. That’s according to Italian journalist Orazio Accomando, who has revealed that Andrea Berta is ‘working to deliver another coup’ for Arsenal.

He reveals that ‘talks are ongoing’ with Leipzig over a deal and although no fee has been mentioned, previous reports have indicated it may take £68.8m to prise him away from the Bundesliga.

Why Xavi Simons is bad news for Ethan Nwaneri

While a certain Emmanuel Eboue isn’t always the voice of football, he has delivered one statement that reveals why Arsenal need to do all they can to keep hold of Nwaneri.

“I think Ethan can be better than Yamal if he works hard and respects the game,” the former Arsenal defender once commented.

Whether or not you believe that remark, it shows the considerable amount of hype the teen has been generating.

“The touches he produces in and around the box, I don’t want to say it, but it’s like Messi,” Joe Cole also once said.

Losing him, therefore, would be a colossal blow. So, Arsenal need to present him with game time. Where is that most likely? Well, at the moment, he’s done a mighty fine job playing second fiddle to Saka on the right wing but he’s an attacking midfielder by trade, a central player blessed with close-touch control and a goalscoring ability.

During the 2023/24 season, his final as an academy player, Nwaneri played 18 times as a no.10 and scored 13 goals in the process. His best position is clearly there but he has to get past Martin Odegaard first.

Attacking midfield

45

20

7

Right wing

20

4

2

Centre-forward

9

11

2

Left wing

1

0

1

Despite scoring just three Premier League goals last term, the club captain isn’t going to be moved aside very easily. Thus, if the Gunners sign Simons too, Nwaneri surely isn’t going to get much of a look in his favoured role.

That isn’t to say the Dutchman wouldn’t be a good signing though. Born out of Barcelona’s famed La Masia, Simons was once a wonderkid with the world at his feet, just like Nwaneri.

However, after never making the grade as a senior pro at Barca and struggling for game time at PSG after moving to France, he’s gone the long way round to find a home in senior football at Leipzig.

During his time with the German outfit, the 22-year-old has cemented himself as “one of the best 10s in the world” in the words of one data analyst.

Why? Well, he’s not only a brilliant creator, but he’s also full of goals. In 2023/24, the young Netherlands international scored ten and supplied 15 goals. In 2024/25, he found the net on 11 occasions and registered eight assists.

Goals

0.42

0.40

Assists

0.40

0.20

Shots

2.09

2.42

Key passes

2.13

1.62

Progressive passes

5.86

3.33

Shot-creating actions

4.52

2.93

Progressive carries

3.56

4.65

Successful take-ons

1.38

3.74

On that evidence, he is the ideal player to provide competition for an out-of-form Odegaard.

Now, while he would certainly add an undoubted amount of extra quality to the Arsenal side, Arteta and Berta must weigh up what this move means for Nwaneri, particularly with Chelsea registering an interest.

The Gunners feel like they’re in a win the title at all costs scenario, but they must think of the long-term here too. Either way, it’s not as though Nwaneri, one of England’s best young prospects, couldn’t help them win a title now either.

Just look at Lewis-Skelly. Also aged 18, he is now a regular starter and starred in the Bernabeu as Arteta’s men defeated Real Madrid.

This will be an intriguing dilemma should Arsenal decide to further their interest in Simons.

The dream squad Arsenal could build: £235m stars & "the new Haaland" sign

Here’s what the Arsenal squad could look like at the end of the summer.

ByMatt Dawson Jul 6, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are seen as favourites to sign a marquee player this summer, giving new manager Thomas Frank a potential boost as the north Londoners seek to build upon their trophy-winning 2024/2025 campaign.

Tottenham ready to pay asking price for £100k-a-week star, he wants the move

Spurs could make him their latest marquee signing.

8 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 27, 2025

Frank has considerable shoes to fill after Ange Postecoglou ended the club’s long wait for a piece of major silverware.

Spurs’ historic 1-0 win against Man United in the Europa League final will live long in the memory, and while the Australian led Spurs to a torrid domestic campaign, breaking their record for most Premier League defeats in a single season (22), Postecoglou will go down in Lilywhites folklore as the manager who won their first European trophy since 1984.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Postecoglou was also a popular figure among the players, with James Maddison, Pedro Porro and Lucas Bergvall among the squad members to speak out in public defence of their former manager.

Nevertheless, with the 59-year-old now gone, and linked with a surprise MLS move to Los Angeles FC, Frank must now steady the ship and regalvanize his new squad ahead of a vital campaign where they’ll be back in the Champions League.

Chairman Daniel Levy reportedly has every intention of backing his preferred candidate to replace Postecoglou, and Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is widely rumoured to be one of their top attacking targets.

The England international’s 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last season tell just half the story of Eze’s undoubted quality. The 26-year-old was a vocal point under Oliver Glasner throughout 2024/2025, bagging the winner against Man City in their 1-0 FA Cup final win over Pep Guardiola’s side – a result which ended Palace’s history-long wait for a major trophy.

It is little wonder there are suggestions that Tottenham are ready to pay Eze’s £68 million release clause, especially considering 2024/2025 may have been Son Heung-min’s last season at Spurs, as clubs in Saudi Arabia consider poaching the club legend after 10 years in N17.

Tottenham favourites to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace

The major worry for Levy is Arsenal’s concrete interest in Eze, and there is apparently every possibility that Mikel Arteta’s side could hijack Spurs’ pursuit of the former QPR sensation.

However, despite the stiff competition for his signature, journalist Graeme Bailey has told TBR Football that Tottenham are currently leading the race for Eze, and are the “most advanced” of every team in pursuit of the “wonderful player”.

“Eberechi Eze is expecting to leave Crystal Palace this summer, that is no secret,” said Bailey.

“He has a release clause and Steve Parish is open to taking installments to a certain degree but any agreement will need to be reached with Palace. Eze himself has made it clear he is open to options, and a host of Premier League clubs have made contact.

“As we have reported, the most advanced are Tottenham, and we are told the player would welcome a move.

“But Arsenal have indeed made enquiries as they see him as a potential option on their left – but same with Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United, Newcastle and Aston Villa – they have all made enquiries to some extent this year.”

Celtic are now likely to complete the signing of an “amazing” attacking player soon, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Attackers the order of the day for Celtic

Brendan Rodgers will know the importance of adding to his squad and making his team even more of a force next season, in order to prevent Rangers from closing the gap in the Scottish Premiership, and perhaps more excitingly for the Hoops to improve in the Champions League.

Celtic appear to be prioritising attacking signings this summer, with Benjamin Nygren strongly linked with sealing a move from Nordsjaelland to Parkhead.

Meanwhile, Evan Ferguson has emerged as an audacious transfer target for the Hoops ahead of next season, with the Brighton striker’s stock falling over the past 12 months, following a tough spell out on loan at West Ham.

That’s not to say that the Republic of Ireland international couldn’t be a fantastic acquisition for Celtic, however, with Gary Lineker calling him a “born goalscorer” and once tipping him to replace Harry Kane at Tottenham.

Now, it looks as though the Scottish champions could be edging towards another attacking signing.

O'Rourke: Celtic set to finalise deal for Balikwisha

Speaking to Football Insider, O’Rourke claimed Celtic have a good chance of signing Royal Antwerp forward Michel-Ange Balikwisha this summer.

“There’s real potential that Celtic could finally get a deal done for Balikwisha. He’s been a long-term target for them, they tried to sign him in the summer transfer window last year but an injury and failing to agree a price stopped their hopes. Their interest has never gone away, they’ve continued to keep tabs on him. He has got back to full fitness after a bad injury and finished the season strongly.

“Celtic will be in the market for a new winger and Balikwisha has remained on the radar. They’ve been given a boost in their pursuit as well, reports are suggesting in Belgium that Royal Antwerp are experiencing some financial problems. They may have to cash in on some of their players, and with the 24-year-old in the final year of his contract Celtic could land him for a bargain fee of £5million.”

Balikwisha has been linked with Celtic for some time, with talks mooted recently, and he could be a brilliant signing this summer, with the 24-year-old possessing so much quality.

Belgium Under-21s

10

1

Belgium Under-19s

3

0

Belgium Under-18s

1

0

Belgium Under-17s

5

1

Belgium Under-16s

4

1

The attacker already has 46 goal involvements in 141 appearances for Antwerp, and at international level he has been capped for Belgium across five different youth age groups, also being called “amazing” by analyst Ben Mattinson.

While primarily a left winger, Balikwisha can also shine on the opposite flank and as a striker, so Rodgers would be signing a player who can add so much depth to his attack.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have turned their attention towards the summer window and now have a versatile star on their radar that could be available for a modest fee, according to a report.

Wolverhampton Wanderers enter life without Matheus Cunha

Vitor Pereira deserves immense credit for preserving Wolves’ top-flight status since arriving at Molineux. However, the 56-year-old will be the first to admit that their successful survival mission wouldn’t have been possible without Matheus Cunha.

The Brazil international netted 15 goals in 33 Premier League appearances, all from open play, which will heighten the importance of finding a replacement for the classy forward amid his £62.5 million move to Manchester United.

In the midst of their hunt for reinforcements, Wolves are considering bringing former Al Shabab sporting director Domenico Teti to Molineux as part of a shake-up in their recruitment department.

Matt Hobbs has left the club and talks are underway to secure the 48-year-old as their new technical director. He has also occupied roles at Verona, Sampdoria, Lugano and Apoel Nicosia and would arrive with a vast knowledge of European and Asian markets.

Old Gold full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri appears set for a move to Manchester City, leading Wolves to pursue Brondby youngster Clement Bischoff as a direct successor due to his versatility across the left flank.

Romano: Wolves make approach to sign "highly rated" gem wanted in Europe

The Old Gold are making moves for the future…

BySean Markus Clifford May 30, 2025

Despite avoiding the drop, the summer window will be one of change for Pereira’s men. Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss is also on their radar; nevertheless, it remains to be seen how the landscape lies when it comes to new faces in the West Midlands.

Now, another exciting figure who could help replace Cunha’s end product has come to the attention of the Wolves hierarchy, per recent reports.

Wolves battling to sign Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche

According to reports in Spain via Sport Witness, Wolves are in a three-way battle to sign Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche, who can also feature as a second striker or centre-forward.

Leeds United and Brentford are also keen on the Nigeria international – he has a release clause in his current deal at the La Liga side that can be triggered for £21 million this summer.

Christantus Uche’s statistics at Getafe – La Liga (Sofascore)

Shots per game

1.5

Tackles per game

1.1

Goalscoring frequency

625 minutes

Big chances created

7

Key passes per game

0.9

Dubbed “fabulous” by boss Jose Bordelas, the 22-year-old registered four goals and seven assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this term.

Earning international recognition for the first time this year, Uche is clearly a rising star and has previously been tracked by Chelsea due to his progress.

Cunha’s departure may mean that more than one solution is required to replicate his influence at Molinuex, but Wolves supporters can take solace from the fact that they are already scoping out the market for quality reinforcements.

Tottenham Hotspur are now the favourites in the race for a £67m “pocket rocket”, who wants to move to the Premier League in the summer, according to a report.

Spurs seal European glory in Bilbao

Ange Postecoglou made it clear that he is always successful in his second season, and nothing has changed this time around, with Tottenham’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao sealing Europa League glory.

Not only does the triumph end the 17-year wait for a trophy, but it also grants Spurs qualification to next season’s Champions League, which should make a move to north London far more appealing for some of Europe’s top players this summer.

In fact, the Lilywhites now have renewed hope of being able to sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi this summer, with club chiefs adamant that the prospect of playing in the Champions League could tempt the England international into a move.

Postecoglou sack stance after Levy holds fresh Tottenham boardroom talks

The Australian is now a history-maker.

3 ByEmilio Galantini May 24, 2025

The doubt lingering over Cristian Romero’s future means signing a new centre-back could be important for Tottenham this summer, while they are also keen to strengthen in more attacking areas of the pitch.

Indeed, according to a report from Spain, RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons is now a priority target for Spurs, who are believed to be among the favourites in the race for his signature, but a deal will be on the expensive side.

Leipzig are set to hold out for a fee of €80m (£67m) in order to sanction Simons’ departure, amid widespread interest, with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal recently being named as potential suitors.

Qualification for the Champions League means Spurs could have the funds to get a deal done, and a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium may appeal to the 22-year-old, as he is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

"Pocket rocket" Simons could be exciting signing for Spurs

Of course, finally winning silverware was of key significance for Tottenham, but an added bonus of winning the Europa League is the fact it should allow them to compete for some top players this summer, and the Leipzig attacking midfielder could be firmly in that category.

After making a name for himself at PSV Eindhoven, the Dutchman has taken his game to the next level over the past two seasons, regularly contributing with goals and assists for Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

Season

Bundesliga appearances

Goals

Assists

2023-24

32

8

13

2024-25

25

10

7

Not only that, but the Netherlands international has been lauded as a “pocket rocket” by analyst Raj Chohan, who also insisted he would take the former PSV man at Liverpool ahead of Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

With Liverpool now closing in on the signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, however, the path is now becoming clearer for Tottenham to sign Simons, and there are plenty of indications the Leipzig star could be an exciting addition to the squad.

Not many Liverpool fans would’ve expected the side to go all the way and claim the Premier League title during Arne Slot’s first season at the helm.

However, the Dutchman has created a seamless transition after taking the reins from fan-favourite Jürgen Klopp during the summer just under 12 months ago.

He’s won 68% of the matches across all competitions, losing just nine times in his 56 outings – with only two of which coming on home soil against Nottingham Forest and PSG.

Despite such an impressive first year at Anfield, the 46-year-old has already made it clear that he wants new signings to help strengthen his first-team squad on Merseyside.

With the window just around the corner, the hierarchy have already wasted no time in pursuing moves for two players from the same outfit during the summer market.

The latest on Liverpool’s move for Wirtz & Frimpong this summer

Over the last couple of days, a deal has rapidly progressed for right-back Jeremie Frimpong, with the Dutch international set to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold on Merseyside.

The Reds are set to pay £29.5m for his services, with the 24-year-old flying to England over the last few days to complete his switch to link up with Slot’s side.

He could be joined at Anfield by current Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz next season, with the attacking midfielder also holding talks with the club’s hierarchy over a potential move during the off-season.

It’s been reported that the 22-year-old has chosen the Reds over Manchester City and Bayern Munich, but the two sides will need to agree a fee, which could prove to be over £100m and a new club-record.

Both players would add drastic quality to the current squad at Slot’s disposal, but it may require some players being offloaded to help balance the books given the figures involved in such deals.

The player who Slot needs to sell this summer

After such an impressive season in 2024/25, it would be harsh to offload many players from the Liverpool squad, but Harvey Elliott may want to depart the club for a new challenge elsewhere.

The 22-year-old has dropped down the pecking order after the Dutchman’s arrival last summer, making just 18 league appearances in 2024/25 – only two of which came from a starting position.

He’s since been linked with moves away from Merseyside ahead of the summer window, with Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers just two options on the table for the youngster.

He could be joined out of the door by winger Federico Chiesa, who’s struggled to adapt to the demands of the Premier League after his £10m switch from Juventus last summer.

The Italian has only made six league appearances in 2024/25, starting just once and featuring for a total of just 104 minutes and failing to register a goal or an assist.

He did manage to find the back of the net in the Carabao Cup final defeat against Newcastle United back in March – which has undoubtedly been the best moment during his time in England.

Many have said that the 27-year-old will need time to settle in England, but after a year, he’s shown little signs of living up to the promise he arrived with – costing them a pretty penny in the process.

Games played

14

Cost per game

£557k

Minutes played

465

Cost per minute

£16.8k

Goals scored

2

Cost per goal

£3.9m

Assists

1

Cost per assist

£7.8m

Chiesa, who has been labelled “world-class” by journalist David Reverter, currently earns a staggering £150k-per-week, a figure that sees him take home £7.8m per sseason – a staggering figure given his lack of impact on Merseyside.

If the club are to take the jump and maintain their success, they will need to invest well this summer, with Wirtz seemingly the big-money signing that the hierarchy are desperately wanting to complete.

Given the German’s tally of 30 combined goals and assists in 2024/25, it’s a no-brainer for the board to try and land him this summer, injecting further quality into the side, which will likely drop Elliott and Chiesa further down the order.

It’s been an unfortunate spell for the Italian winger, but given his mammoth earnings every season, it’s a hefty figure that’s unjustifiable given his lack of impact on the side on Merseyside – allowing for needed funds to secure a deal for the Leverkusen sensation.

FSG must finally axe Liverpool flop who earns way more than Wirtz

Liverpool need to make a series of changes in the transfer market this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair May 27, 2025

It seems like Chelsea will try and sign a new winger in the summer transfer window. With Jadon Sancho potentially returning to Manchester United, if they decide not to buy him permanently, they could well need reinforcements in wide areas.

Enzo Maresca’s current crop of wide men are certainly not uninspiring. Aside from Sancho, those permanently at the club include the likes of Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke.

Those two wingers have six and 11 goals to their names across all competitions, respectively, this season. In recent weeks, Tyrique George has broken through, and Cole Palmer now plays a more central role.

However, they could well look to sign an additional player in wide areas, and are seemingly plotting an ambitious move this summer.

The latest on Chelsea’s pursuit of a winger

Chelsea have been linked with a number of options should they try and sign a new winger this summer. One of those players is another Red Devils star, Alejandro Garnacho. News broke on Thursday, courtesy of talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, that Chelsea are ‘interested’ in the 20-year-old.

Transfer Focus

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

Alternatives are also seemingly being considered, as the Blues could well be set to target Real Madrid star Rodrygo, according to Caught Offside. The report suggests the West London outfit are ‘stepping up their pursuit’ of the Brazilian forward this summer.

According to the article, Chelsea are the side who ‘are currently leading the race’ to sign the Los Blancos superstar, but they are not the only team in the hunt.

Their Premier League rivals, Manchester City ‘are keeping a close eye on the situation’ and could also make a move. Whichever side win the race, Madrid could command a huge fee of £101m.

Why Rodrygo would be a good signing

Make no mistake about it, Chelsea would be signing a global superstar if they manage to bring Rodrygo to Stamford Bridge. Described as “terrifyingly good” by Sam Tighe, a football journalist and broadcaster, he has been fantastic for Madrid once again this term.

It has been a productive season again for the Brazilian this season. Across all competitions for the La Liga giants, he has found the back of the net 14 times and provided a further ten goals for his teammates in 51 games.

In fact, the 24-year-old’s underlying numbers from this season from Sofascore reinforce the fact that he has played well. For example, he has averaged 2.1 key passes and 2.1 successful dribbles in those 51 appearances this season.

Key passes

78

2.1

Big chances created

10

0.3

Dribbles completed

77

2.1

Tackles and interceptions

71

1.9

Expected goal involvements

12.12xGI

0.32xGI

If there is one competition that the winger thrives in, it is the Champions League. Rodrygo has a strong record in the competition, with 39 goals and assists in 64 games. Football talent scout Jacek Kulig rightly pointed out that he “loves the UCL”.

It is a competition that Chelsea are hoping to be in next term, and they will hope Rodrygo can turn up on the biggest stage again.

Should the West London side bring Rodrygo to the club, he could be the second coming of Diego Costa. Not in the sense of how he was as a player, of course, given the former Atletico Madrid star was a striker and Rodrygo is a winger.

Instead, the similarities between the two are the fact that they are both Brazil-born, high-profile La Liga stars, who were expensive, too. Sky Sports reported that the then-25-year-old striker cost Chelsea £32m, which in today’s money, according to The Transfer Index, would be £61.5m, a steep fee indeed.

Costa was sensational for the Blues. The Spain international, who has not yet retired but is currently without a club, scored 59 goals and registered 21 assists in 120 games.

Across three Premier League seasons, they won two titles, and Costa scored 20 league goals in both of those.

If Rodrygo can have anywhere near the impact at Chelsea that Costa managed, then it would be an excellent piece of business. Of course, the fee is expensive, but to acquire a player of his talent, you have to pay that kind of money.

Costa joined the Blues from La Liga and became a club legend, taking the West Londoners to astronomical heights. They will surely want Rodrygo to do the exact same thing if he moves to Stamford Bridge.

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ByJoe Nuttall May 22, 2025