All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Fresh Tchouameni to Liverpool claim emerges

French commentator Gregoire Margotton has provided a key update regarding Liverpool’s interest in Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.

The Lowdown: Liverpool want Tchouameni

The Reds will be looking to make reinforcements in the summer transfer window, as Jurgen Klopp aims to make his squad even more formidable and rival Manchester City’s own moves in the market – namely Erling Haaland.

Tchouameni is a player who has been linked with a move to Anfield endless times in recent weeks, following some eye-catching displays for Monaco.

The 22-year-old is considered one of the most exciting young midfielders in world football, averaging 2.3 aerial duel wins per game in Ligue 1 this season, as well as enjoying an 87% pass completion rate – he even scored both goals from defensive midfield in a 2-1 win against Lille last week.

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The Latest: Deal close

Taking to Twitter on Monday, Margotton, who is a well-respected TV host in France for major broadcasters like TF1 and Canal+, gave an update on the situation, suggesting he has heard the deal is very close.

“I hear the immense talent on the left could move into the legendary house on the right shortly. Joy. Congratulations. Happiness.”

The tweet included photographs of Tchouameni on the left and Anfield on the right.

The Verdict: No.1 summer target?

With each passing day, the more it looks as though Liverpool are putting all of their midfield eggs in the Tchouameni basket this summer, seeing him as their number one target.

The Reds could certainly do with injecting some more youth into their midfield, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho, Thiago, Jordan Henderson and James Milner all aged 28 or older.

Tchouameni is a player with unbelievable potential, possessing all the attributes to become one of the best in the world in his position – he has been labelled as ‘extraordinary’ by France teammate Paul Pogba – and Liverpool signing him would feel like another significant piece of business.

In other news, Fabrizio Romano has dropped a key Liverpool transfer update. Read more here.

Rangers: Borna Barisic was disappointing

Gio van Bronckhorst secured a place in his second final as manager of Rangers as his side won 3-1 at Ibrox on Thursday night.

The Gers were 1-0 down on aggregate heading into the second leg of their Europa League semi-final in Glasgow but they produced a magical night in front of their home supporters as they put in a brilliant display under the lights.

James Tavernier and Glen Kamara both scored well-worked goals in the first half to put the Light Blues 2-1 up in the tie.

Alarm bells may have been ringing inside Ibrox as Christopher Nkunku levelled the tie with a sublime volleyed finish past Allan McGregor but they were soon silenced by the explosion of noise when John Lundstram made it 3-2 to the Gers on aggregate.

The midfielder reacted first to a loose ball inside the box and placed the ball into an empty net with his weak foot to send the stadium into raptures.

It was a special night for the Gers and a number of heroes on the pitch put in terrific performances to help them on their way. However, one player who failed to step up to the standard set by his team-mates was left-back Borna Barisic, as he put in a disappointing display.

The Croatia international was described as “spooked” against Celtic on Sunday by ex-Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson and that criticism could have been used again last night. The 29-year-old’s play was lacking in quality and consistency as he struggled at the back, with the occasion potentially causing him to lose his cool.

On the ball, he was erratic and unreliable. As per SofaScore, he only completed 44% of his attempted passes and lost possession 14 times. He was successful with two of his five crosses and had a 0% success rate with his five long passes, which shows that he was unable to find his range during the match as he consistently gave the ball back to the opposition.

Out of possession, he was also rather weak. As per SofaScore, he lost four of his six duels and did not make any blocks or interceptions. He did make two tackles but was also dribbled past once as he failed to assert his dominance on the Leipzig forwards, although he did make one fine challenge on the edge of the box in the first half to stop a promising run.

Overall though, the Croatian almost cost Van Bronckhorst the tie as he put in a disappointing performance at both ends of the pitch. The 29-year-old liability was constantly giving the ball back to the visitors and was far from good enough in his individual battles, with his team-mates bailing him out in the end.

AND in other news, Forget Lundstram: Rangers’ £5.4m-rated “absolute baller” got Ibrox “rocking” last night…

Rangers ace Wright slammed v RB Leipzig

Former Glasgow Rangers striker Steven Thompson has been left slamming the display of Scott Wright in their UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday night.

The Lowdown: All to do

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team have it all to do at Ibrox, after former Manchester City left-back Angelino scored with just a few minutes to go to give RB Leipzig the 1-0 win in the first leg.

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It will be interesting to see whether the Dutch manager changes any tactics or personnel for the second leg of the tie, as they will no doubt need to for it to turn the scoreline around.

The Latest: Wright slammed

Speaking on BBC Sportsound (via BBC Sport, 21:26pm), Thompson slammed Wright’s performance after he was taken off for Fashion Sakala just shy of the 70-minute mark, claiming that he was ‘quiet’ and failed to make a real impact on the game:

“Scott Wright has been quiet. In this second half he’s moved out to a more familiar right wing position but hasn’t made much of an impact.”

The Verdict: Anonymous

The fact that Wright was taken off for Sakala with the score at 0-0 is testament to how much he seemed to struggle in the match.

The Scotsman actually ended up recording fewer touches than goalkeeper Allan McGregor, the only Gers starter to do so, while he also had no shots on target and made no key passes, crosses or long balls, losing possession a total of 15 times (SofaScore).

Scottish football journalist Bill Young suggested that the occasion of a semi-final overwhelmed him, and that definitely seemed to be the case.

In other news, find out what ‘monumental blow’ for the Teddy Bears has emerged here!

West Ham preparing bid to sign “relentless” star after entering pole position

West Ham United are now preparing a January offer to sign an impressive midfielder for Nuno Espirito Santo after entering pole position, according to reports.

West Ham plotting January striker move

Despite their improved form under Nuno Espirito Santo, West Ham remain in the Premier League’s relegation zone and two points adrift of safety. It’s a major concern for the Hammers with Christmas approaching and there’s simply no denying that they must enjoy a busy January transfer window if they are to avoid what would be a disastrous relegation.

Adding another clinical goalscorer to their ranks should sit top of their priority list on that front. Whilst Callum Wilson has shown plenty of quality, there remain plenty of questions over his ability to stay fit and firing for a full campaign.

If it’s not the former Newcastle man, however, then it becomes tough for Nuno to select a reliable, natural striker without sacrificing Jarrod Bowen’s work out wide. That has to change in January.

As for potential targets, names like Santiago Gimenez have been mentioned ahead of next month in a deal which could kill two birds with one stone. Reports have claimed that West Ham could strike a swap deal with AC Milan which would see Niclas Fullkrug head in the opposite direction.

Those at the London Stadium could also add to their midfield after they welcome a new No.9, with midfield star Tochukwu Nnadi quickly becoming a serious option.

West Ham now preparing Tochukwu Nnadi offer

According to TeamTalk, West Ham are now preparing a bid to sign Nnadi after entering pole position for his signature and sending scouts to watch the Zulte Waregem midfielder.

The Hammers are preparing a €4m (£3.5m) move to sign the Nigerian, who scouts described as “relentless” when speaking to TeamTalk ahead of the January transfer window.

At 5’7, Nnadi makes up for his smaller stature with his ability to win duels, break up play and drive his team forward – all traits that West Ham’s midfield has been lacking at times this season.

Before Lucas Paqueta: Nuno must finally cash in on "shocking" West Ham star

The big-money flop has to be a part of a clean-out at West Ham United next month.

ByJack Salveson Holmes 4 days ago

With the future of Guido Rodriguez still in doubt at West Ham, a move for Nnadi would make perfect sense next month. In one move, Nuno could bid farewell to a transfer flop and welcome a much-needed upgrade.

Striker greenlights January exit with West Ham bid expected ahead of immediate move

Jamie Carragher admits he was wrong about Arsenal star who's "becoming a real leader"

Arsenal are braced for another Premier League title challenge with Liverpool, and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher suggests an emerging leader in their squad could be crucial.

Arsenal agree William Saliba deal in huge boost for Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta was boosted by the official announcement of a new deal for star defender William Saliba earlier this week.

The Frenchman, who’s been a vital component of Arsenal’s title-chasing side since the beginning of 2022/2023, was attracting serious interest from Real Madrid. Los Blancos even approached him in the summer window, but Saliba was clear that he wanted to remain at the Emirates Stadium (HandOfArsenal).

Appearances

5

Minutes played

319

Clean sheets

2

Tackles made

8

Interceptions

3

Ground duels won

24/34

Aerial duels won

12

Clearances

20

via Footy Stats

Saliba’s contract was due to expire in 2027, and sporting director Andrea Berta took a hands-on role in new contract negotiations as he eventually convinced the 24-year-old to agree fresh terms (Charles Watts).

Saliba’s new deal expires in 2030, committing him to Arsenal for another five years, with Berta praising the “incredible” defender after the Gunners confirmed his extension.

Arteta’s side take on Olympiacos in the Champions League tonight, with the Greek Super League champions travelling to North London and could face off against Arsenal’s newly-committed star in Saliba.

The France international is slowly being reintegrated into the starting eleven after recovering from an ankle injury, having started their 1-1 draw with Man City and Carabao Cup win over Port Vale, but was dropped to the bench for Arsenal’s dramatic victory at Newcastle.

Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera has seriously impressed whenever he’s asked to fill in for Saliba, and that is an avenue Arteta may well go down again in Europe tonight as he looks to avoid any more fitness issues with his star man.

Alongside Saliba, another defender has been vital to Arsenal’s success in recent years.

That man is, of course, Gabriel.

According to some reports, Saliba and Gabriel made a pact to remain at Arsenal and challenge for major silverware, with the Brazilian also signing a contract extension earlier this year.

Jamie Carragher admits he was wrong about Arsenal star Gabriel

He’s been just as crucial to Arsenal’s defensive prowess as Saliba, and their partnership is widely viewed as one of Europe’s best.

Largely thanks to the duo, Arteta’s men have conceded the fewest goals of any Premier League side in each of the last two seasons.

Gabriel’s threat from set pieces has also got Arsenal out of jail on numerous occasions, with the 27-year-old — after his winner against Newcastle — bagging more goals than any other defender in the Premier League since he made his debut in 2020 (18).

Speaking to Sky Sports (via The Metro), Carragher has made an admission about Gabriel in praise of the ex-Lille star — claiming he was wrong about Saliba being on another level to his centre-back partner.

The ex-Liverpool defender also praised Gabriel as an emerging leader in Arsenal’s side.

While Carragher has taken more time to hand Gabriel his well-deserved praise, the South American’s quality has never been lost on Arteta, who called the defender’s performances “undeniable” as far back as September last year.

Chelsea let another Palmer go for £175k, now he's "one of the best No 10s"

Chelsea’s approach to recruitment has long revolved around stacking their squad with some of the brightest young prospects in world football.

In the past few years, they have paid significant sums to secure teenagers such as Estevão, Kendry Páez and Mamadou Sarr.

This summer alone, they have added some of the most exciting youth prospects in Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund, Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United and Jorrel Hato from Ajax.

The logic is simple: bring in rising stars before their price goes up and commit them to long contracts, typically seven years or more.

By doing so, Chelsea not only protect themselves against paying premiums later – as they did with Enzo Fernández’s £107m transfer in 2023 – but also keep themselves compliant with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) by spreading transfer fees across the length of those deals.

The result is the youngest squad in the Premier League, with an average age of just 23 years and five months.

Not all of these gambles work out, however. A number of players have grown frustrated at limited minutes and moved on.

This summer alone saw exits for Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Christopher Nkunku.

And in previous years, Chelsea have made high-profile misjudgements by letting go of talents like Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, Declan Rice and Romelu Lukaku too early.

Yet there are also success stories that show the model can deliver.

Nowhere is that clearer than with Cole Palmer.

Cole Palmer's stunning Chelsea stint so far

When Chelsea paid Manchester City £40m for Palmer in 2023, the deal was met with scepticism.

Could a player who had mostly been used sparingly by Pep Guardiola truly justify such a fee?

Two years on, the answer is an emphatic yes. Palmer is now the beating heart of Enzo Maresca’s side and widely regarded as the club’s most important player.

Since his arrival, Palmer’s market value has soared from €32m (£28m) to €120m (£110m), as per Transfermarkt.

He was central to Chelsea’s resurgence last season, guiding them to a fourth-place finish, a UEFA Conference League triumph and a Club World Cup title.

His influence was decisive in both finals, scoring twice against PSG in the Club World Cup and picking up man of the match awards in each.

Palmer’s output has been remarkable: 45 goals and 29 assists in his first 100 appearances for the club.

Beyond numbers, his creativity and ability to dictate games in the final third have been transformative.

It is no surprise he won the PFA Young Player of the Season award, or that he broke into the England team in 2023, scoring in the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

Statistically, Palmer excels across multiple areas.

Matches Played

37

Goals

15

Assists

8

Progressive Carries

120

Progressive Passes

214

Source: FBref

His 2024/25 season included 37 appearances with 23 goal involvements, averaging 6.03 progressive passes per 90 and 5.70 shot-creating actions.

He is not just scoring and assisting, but consistently advancing Chelsea’s play in possession.

For all the criticism of the club’s scattergun transfer policy, Palmer stands as proof that sometimes they get it spectacularly right.

How Jamal Musiala compares to Palmer

For every Palmer success story, there is a cautionary tale.

Jamal Musiala’s departure is one Chelsea fans continue to regret.

Having been part of the Blues’ youth system, he left for Bayern Munich in 2019 for just €200k (£175k).

Today his market value is estimated at €140m (£130m), and he is widely considered among the best attacking midfielders in world football.

At Bayern, Musiala has blossomed into a superstar.

In 207 matches, he has scored 64 goals and provided 39 assists, while also cementing his place in the German national team with 40 caps and eight goals.

Former England youth teammate Jude Bellingham once roomed with him, and Musiala’s decision to represent Germany over England has only heightened the sense of loss.

Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes summed it up simply: Musiala is “one of the best number 10s in the world.” The statistics underline his world-class profile.

In 2024/25, he managed 14 goal involvements in 25 Bundesliga matches, with 1.55 shots on target per 90 and an outstanding 45.6% accuracy, as per FBref.

He edges Palmer in dribbling influence too, recording 39.6 carries per 90 compared to Palmer’s 33.0.

While Palmer is the superior progressive passer (6.03 per 90 to Musiala’s 5.35), Musiala’s ability to destabilise defenders with his direct running offers a complementary, if different, threat.

The irony is stark: Chelsea now pay premiums to secure players like Palmer, while having allowed Musiala to leave for a fraction of his current worth.

Injuries have unfortunately stalled his 2025/26 campaign – a broken leg at the Club World Cup means he will miss large portions of the season – but his trajectory remains upwards.

The Palmer-Musiala contrast highlights the dual nature of Chelsea’s youth model.

They are capable of landing gems that transform the team, but just as easily let diamonds slip through their fingers.

Maresca must drop Chelsea dud who was as bad as Chalobah vs Bayern

Chelsea lost to Bayern Munich in their first Champions League game of the season.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 18, 2025

Slot's answer to Gyokeres: Hughes lines up Liverpool move for "crazy" CF

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot proved everyone wrong when he successfully replaced Jurgen Klopp at Anfield one year ago and guided the Reds to the Premier League title.

The 2025/26 campaign will present new challenges, with all at Liverpool, both as a club and a city, mourning the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, but Anfield have proved time and time again their ability to come together and embrace the support of their fanbase, and vice versa.

Sporting director Richard Hughes is currently faced with an imminent approach from Barcelona for versatile forward Luis Diaz, 28, having rejected the La Liga champions’ advances last month.

Luis Diaz

But La Blaugrana have not been deterred, and having missed out on top target Nico Williams after the winger signed a new contract with Athletic Bilbao, efforts have been redoubled, Diaz moving ahead of Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford on the list.

With Diaz having spent so much of the recent campaign filling in as Liverpool’s central striker, his sale would call for a new centre-forward, as has been a Reds priority for several months.

Especially with Darwin Nunez in the process of signing for Napoli.

The latest on Darwin Nunez to Napoli

Nunez joined Liverpool in 2022, arriving from SL Benfica in a deal billed as a club record at £85m. However, the Uruguayan’s struggles in England have seen a series of clauses left hanging, with the actual fee coming in at £71m.

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez

He has obvious qualities: Nunez is tenacious, a maverick and, on occasion, jaw-droppingly ambitious in the final third. However, the 25-year-old has only scored 25 Premier League goals across his three terms, with just seven goals across all competitions coming last season under Slot’s wing.

Moreover, Slot remarked earlier in 2025 that he “can’t accept” the Uruguayan’s work rate, typically a staple, after a string of disappointing appearances.

Napoli, thus, projected confidence when sauntering over to make their move, but negotiations have since left a gap between the respective clubs’ valuation of the striker.

Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez

A fee is still to be agreed, but if and when this does happen – Nunez also has admirers in the Saudi Pro League – a replacement will be needed.

Liverpool in the race for new centre-forward

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Liverpool and Manchester United have registered their interest in Almeria striker Luis Suarez this summer.

This is not the famed Suarez of old, but his namesake, a 27-year-old Colombian, who has been priced at €25m (£21m) after his prolific campaign in Spain’s second division.

Luis Suarez facing Real Madrid with Almeria.

The one-time Watford prospect is also on Sporting Lisbon’s transfer list as they prepare to sell Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal, and it’s for this reason that the Liga Portugal’s two-in-a-row champions are felt to have the advantage in the race as things stand.

Why Liverpool want Luis Suarez

Suarez isn’t the youngest number nine on the block, but he’s certainly shown that he knows where the back of the net is, having scored 41 goals and provided 13 assists across 79 fixtures for Almeria.

Almeria's Luis Suarez

And a good haul of that came last term, in the Segunda Division. Indeed, Suarez scored 31 goals across 43 matches in all competitions, albeit with 27 goals arriving in Spain’s second tier.

Although saying that, Suarez’s hat-trick over Sevilla in the Copa del Rey emphasised his natural prolificness, something which could serve Liverpool well over the season to come.

His completeness and physicality could even see him prove to be Liverpool’s own version of Gyokeres, who indeed looks set to sign for Arsenal in a deal worth less than Sporting’s original £68m asking price.

Sporting CP's ViktorGyokereskisses the trophy as he celebrate after winning the Taca de Portugal

Gyokeres is one of the most dangerous goalscorers in Europe, having scored 97 goals across 102 matches in two years with Sporting. His physicality and powerful performances are rare attributes, applied as well as they are, but Liverpool could sign someone similar in Almeria’s frontman, who has been praised for his “crazy” quality by talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Sporting have identified the Colombian as the perfect replacement, after all, with Gyokeres also 27 years old.

Suarez has his similarities; he’s prolific, but he’s also a veritable machine when it comes to ball-striking. As you can see below, Suarez is one of the most relentless shooters in the trade, hitting the target more times than Mohamed Salah, behind only Gyokeres and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe.

Suarez played the 2024/25 campaign in Spain’s Segunda division, but he’s an experienced and well-oiled player whose goalscoring ability was well received by an Almeria side who finished the term with the highest goal tally in the division (72).

Though Suarez is, of course, not on Gyokeres’ level, Liverpool could bolster their ranks with a shrewd attacking option this summer, one whose clinical nature has been underscored over the past year.

Matches (starts)

41 (41)

33 (31)

Goals

27

39

Assists

8

7

Shots (on target)*

4.1 (1.6)

4.2 (2.4)

Big chances missed

27

23

Pass completion

74%

73%

Big chances created

10

11

Key passes*

1.4

1.9

Dribbles*

1.2

1.8

Ball recoveries*

2.0

2.3

Duels won*

4.5

5.5

As you can see from the collated statistics above, Suarez’s sucess in duel, partnered with his dribbling ability and natural creativity, provide him with the dynamism and roundedness that aligns with Sweden striker Gyokeres’ own skill set.

The hunt for a player of Hugo Ekitike or Victor Osimhen’s standing continues, but if Liverpool and enrich their ranks with this shrewd signing, Slot will likely find that the price tag is repaid on the pitch.

Slot's own Zubimendi: Liverpool submit bid to sign "incredible" £35m star

Liverpool could sign a new centre-midfielder this summer.

2 ByAngus Sinclair Jul 4, 2025

He could be Raphinha 2.0: Leeds eyeing "one of the best CMs in the world"

Leeds United are ramping up their transfer activity as the new Premier League season edges ever closer.

Former Manchester City youth starlet Lucas Nmecha has now joined the ranks from Wolfsburg to enhance the Whites’ attacking options. It’s surely only a matter of time before Jaka Bijol is announced too, after he has allegedly undergone a medical at Elland Road.

Jaka Bijol in action for Udinese.

The next logical step would be to add some reinforcements in the middle of the park, therefore, and Leeds’ wish could be granted if they were to land a former Premier League ace.

Leeds interested in deal for £25m star

Strengthening the midfield ranks is evidently a key priority for Leeds this summer with moves for the likes of Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki reportedly lined up.

Diarra seems to be a more concrete target at the moment with fresh claims suggesting that they made a bid worth £21m.

Transfer Focus

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

Slow progress is being made on that deal, so the Whites are seeking alternatives. Well, according to a new report from Italian outlet Tuttosport, via Sport Witness, Leeds are in the picture to land former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz this summer.

The report states that Luiz will be allowed to leave Juventus this off-season after a mediocre stint in Turin, but Leeds could well be put off by the Serie A giants and their asking price, with Igor Tudor’s men having purchased the Brazilian for a bumper £42m fee.

The move could still have legs on a loan-to-buy basis, however, with the report clarifying that such a deal would only cost Daniel Farke’s men £25m down the line. That marks a sharp decrease from Luiz’s staggering £100m valuation back in 2023.

Thus, that £25m fee feels like a reasonable fee to pay for the South American, with his reputation needing to be repaired, and that could occur back in England, where he once starred for Unai Emery’s men regularly.

Why Luiz could become Leeds' new Raphinha-like star

Luiz could come in and seriously improve Farke’s midfield options, with this deal having a similar feel to when Leeds purchased another Brazilian from Europe in the form of Raphinha for a bargain £16m, with the rest now history on the end of the Barcelona superstar.

Obviously, Raphinha didn’t have the backdrop of flopping at Rennes before he relocated to West Yorkshire, but it would have been seen as a savvy deal at the time, with Leeds only having to fork out a modest fee to win the slick winger.

The 34-time Brazil international would go on to cement himself in Leeds hearts everywhere with his skilful performances throughout his short stay, leading to the now Barca number 11 collecting 17 goals and 12 assists from 67 appearances, with his efforts as the Whites’ top goalscorer during his swansong season at Elland Road helping Leeds to just about beat the drop.

Luiz might well follow in Raphinha’s footsteps and be the energetic presence Leeds need to secure their Premier League status this coming season, with the Rio De Janeiro-born midfielder a proven top-flight performer.

Farke would love to call upon Luiz as an additional central body, therefore, with the vibrant Brazilian capable of getting stuck in when needed. Like Raphinha, who’s now a firm Ballon d’Or contender, he’s got fine pedigree, notably hailed as “one of the best 6s in the Premier League” and “one of the best [midfielders] in the world” by Sky Italia.

That’s showcased perfectly by his numbers for the Villans, where he ranked within the top 7% of midfielders in the Premier League in 2023/24 for goals, demonstrating his attacking flair to go alongside his defensive qualities.

Games played

36

33

34

37

35

Goals scored

3

0

2

6

9

Assists

2

2

3

6

5

Touches*

46.1

55.6

56.9

60.6

70.1

Accurate passes*

27.7 (83%)

36.8 (86%)

37.1 (87%)

39.6 (86%)

50.4 (89%)

Big chances created

3

4

2

7

10

Tackles*

1.3

1.5

1.7

2.0

1.7

Clearances*

1.3

1.2

0.6

0.6

0.5

Total duels won*

4.1

4.9

4.4

4.4

4.2

Luiz only got better and better the more his Premier League journey at Villa Park went on, culminating in him firing home a ridiculous nine Premier League strikes during his final season in the West Midlands.

He would even be labelled as “world-class” during his celebrated stay with the Villans by teammate John McGinn, with Raphinha once also talked about in the same glowing manner in West Yorkshire when heralded as “special” by Marcelo Bielsa.

Everything is pointing in the direction of this being a superb deal, with Luiz potentially going on to be their new Premier League saviour, just as Raphinha was once upon a time.

He's better than Diarra: Leeds now looking at deal to sign £26m "threat"

Leeds United are eyeing up a midfield star who could be even better than Habib Diarra.

1 ByDan Emery Jun 19, 2025

Wrexham in talks to sign former Liverpool striker on a free transfer

Preparing for life in the Championship, Wrexham are now reportedly pushing to seal a bargain deal to sign a Premier League veteran who’s scored over 70 goals in England’s top flight.

Reynolds: Wrexham ready to be "aggressive"

After a third-straight promotion created history, anything is possible for Wrexham. The Hollywood show has become better by the season, but now the Welsh club are in need of their best characters yet as they aim to cause further shocks in the Championship.

Up into England’s second tier and just one step away from the Premier League, whilst owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney will be in dreamland, they won’t want to stop here.

Reynolds and McElhenney now lead race to sign 22 y/o MLS ace for Wrexham

The Welsh club are preparing for life in the Championship.

ByTom Cunningham May 28, 2025

Speaking on the RobRyanRed fan podcast recently, Reynolds claimed that Wrexham are ready to be “aggressive” in the market this summer, saying: “We’re coming to win. I can’t give you a dollar figure, but I can tell you that we are going to be as aggressive as we can possibly be while being mindful of sustainability. We have a stadium to revamp, but will still maintain its character and culture.”

On that front, there have already been several rumours as to who could arrive at Wrexham this summer with Tom Cairney among those rumours. The experienced Fulham midfielder has been offered a new contract at Craven Cottage, but it remains to be seen whether he decides to put pen to paper or join up with Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham side this summer.

Tom Cairney

The Premier League midfielder isn’t the only name on The Red Dragons’ radar though. Rangers’ Tom Lawrence has also been the subject of reported interest in recent months, whilst another top-flight veteran could also arrive.

Escaping the Championship will be Wrexham’s toughest challenge yet but if the reports are anything to go by, Reynolds and McElhenney are once again ready to back the Welsh side.

Wrexham pushing to sign Danny Ings

According to Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph, Wrexham are now pushing to sign Danny Ings, who is set to become a free agent at the end of his West Ham United contract this month.

It’s reported that talks have already been held with the player’s representatives ahead of a summer switch.

The veteran striker has played for the likes of Liverpool, Southampton and Aston Villa, but could now be on his way to Wrexham at 32 years old.

Appearances

240

Goals

72

Assists

24

Whilst many will be quick to point out his injury record, there’s no denying that Ings knows exactly how to find the back of the net at the top level. If Wrexham not only secure his signature but also keep him fit, then the former Liverpool man could spearhead their biggest shock yet.

Ings has earned plenty of praise during his time in the Premier League, including from former Aston Villa boss and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard who described the striker as “selfless” during his time at Villa Park.

In what could be one of his last moves in English football, Wrexham should roll out the red carpet for Ings this summer and welcome an experienced, talented goalscorer.

Tottenham now "have money available" and hold interest in £25m Brazilian

Tottenham Hotspur will now “have money available” to strengthen their squad in the summer, and they hold an interest in a “world-class” Brazilian as a potential replacement for a first-team star, according to a report.

Tottenham's summer transfer plans after Europa League triumph

Having secured qualification for next season’s Champions League via their Europa League triumph, Tottenham should be well-positioned to compete for the signatures of some top players this summer, and their transfer plans are now starting to take shape.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have struggled defensively for much of the 2025-26 campaign, and it looks as though the manager may have to reshape his backline this summer, amid reports suggesting Cristian Romero has expressed his desire to leave at the end of the campaign.

Whether the Europa League victory tempts him to stay remains to be seen, but Pedro Porro has also been linked with a move away this summer, with Manchester City believed to be keen on their former player, and journalist Pete O’Rourke has named a Brazil international as a potential replacement.

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Speaking to Football Insider about Tottenham’s summer transfer plans, O’Rourke named Vanderson as a potential signing for Spurs in the upcoming window, saying: “He’s impressed at Monaco, a Brazil international, and a number of Premier League clubs have been looking at him over the years.

“He’s still got three years left on his contract at Monaco, and Monaco will be demanding a decent fee of probably £25million to let him go.

“Tottenham, now with Champions League football, will be looking to strengthen their squad and will have money available. So I’m sure he is somebody who is still on their list, but I don’t think he’s a priority right now.”

Vanderson could be "world-class" addition for Tottenham

Lauded as “world-class” by one scout, the Brazil international was a key player for Monaco throughout the 2024-25 campaign, making 41 appearances in all competitions and displaying his attacking prowess by picking up seven goal contributions.

Of course, Porro is also known for his attacking intent, but there are signs the Monaco full-back could be an upgrade from a defensive point of view, having outperformed the Spaniard on several key metrics over the course of the past year.

Average per 90

Pedro Porro

Vanderson

Tackles

2.11

3.14

Interceptions

1.24

1.71

Aerials won

0.47

0.92

Not only that, but the 23-year-old is also accustomed to playing in a slightly more advanced role, having done so regularly throughout his career, which could make him a good fit for Postecoglou, given the Australian likes to play an attacking brand of football.

At just £25m, Vanderson could be a bargain signing for Tottenham this summer, but the hope will be that they can retain Porro, considering the 25-year-old is already proven in the Premier League, ranking among their best performers in the competition during the 2024-25 campaign.