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There’s a huge buzz of excitement at Manchester United football club at the moment, and understandably so, given the backing shown by the hierarchy this summer.

The board have already completed the big-money additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, but the attack looks set to have landed another talent during the recent overhaul.

Striker Benjamin Sesko has flown to Manchester for his medical, after he rejected Newcastle United in favour of a £74m switch to Old Trafford ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The trio will add 48 combined goals to the side, that’s based on their league figures from last season, a tally that is four more than the rest of the Red Devils squad managed in the Premier League in 2024/25.

However, now attention must turn to other areas of the pitch if Ruben Amorim is to have the best chance of leading the side back up England’s top-flight next season.

The latest on United’s hunt for new midfielders this summer

Carlos Baleba has emerged as a surprise option for United this summer, after the club’s hierarchy made an approach to land the Brighton and Hove Albion star.

Any deal for the Cameroonian international would be yet another huge investment, with Fabian Hurzeler’s side currently demanding a fee in the region of £100m for the 21-year-old.

However, other options are currently being considered by higher-ups at Old Trafford, leading to Javi Guerra being named as a target once again by TBR Football.

Their latest report claims that the Valencia star remains keen on a move to join Amorim’s side this summer, after previously making their interest known during the summer window.

It also states that the 22-year-old could be available for as little as £25m during this window, with Carlos Corberan’s side needing to raise funds due to their current financial situation.

Why United’s £25m target would be a better signing than Baleba

Over the last couple of months, Brighton star Baleba has been one of the standout talents in the Premier League – with his mammoth price tag no surprise given their previous dealings.

He was brought in from Lille back in 2023 as a replacement for Moises Caicedo, after the Ecuadorian star completed his own £115m move to Chelsea.

Such a move to the AMEX has allowed the youngster to take his career to the next level, featuring in 34 league outings last season as the Seagulls finished the season in 8th place.

His two-year experience in England’s top division would be a massive asset to any move to Old Trafford, but there’s no denying that his current price tag has been put in place to fend off interest.

Undoubtedly, there are cheaper and more effective options out there, with Guerra potentially providing just that for United between now and the closure of the window on September 1st.

When comparing his stats to those of Baleba from the most recent campaign, the Spaniard has managed to outperform him in numerous areas, potentially being a just as effective option for the Red Devils.

Guerra, who’s been dubbed “special” by analyst Ben Mattinson, is much more comfortable in possession, completing more progressive passes per 90, with more of which being made into the final third – aiding the new trio with chances to impress at Old Trafford.

Games played

36

34

Goals & assists

6

4

Progressive passes

4.8

3.9

Progressive carries

1.8

1.4

Passes into final third

4.2

3.6

Interceptions made

1.7

1.5

Clearances made

1.7

1.4

Recoveries made

6.8

6.6

However, he’s also showcased his excellent tallies without the ball, completing more interceptions and making more clearances per 90, able to hand Amorim the deep-lying defensive option he’s hunting for as a result.

The youngster’s dominance over the Cameroonian is further shown in his tally of recoveries made per 90, able to get himself into better defensive positions per 90 – arguably being a more well-rounded option for the Red Devils.

Guerra has constantly shown in LaLiga in recent months that he’s a huge talent with bags of time to improve further on his impressive start to his professional career.

His ability to outperform Baleba further indicates how impressive he’s been, allowing United to land a better talent at a fraction of the price in their hunt for a return to their former glory.

Perfect for Cunha: PL "monster" is now keen to join Man Utd after Sesko

Manchester United have wasted no time in making moves in the market after landing Benjamin Sesko.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 8, 2025

Dimitar Berbatov was a completely unique player during his time at Manchester United, with no player able to emulate such a skillset over the last few years.

He often looked completely uninterested, but would often come alive in and around the 18-yard box, as seen by his tally of 56 goals in his 149 appearances for the Red Devils.

The Bulgarian also had a sensational first touch and close control, as seen by his superb Elastico Spin against West Ham United back in October 2008.

Given the lack of goalscoring threat currently within Ruben Amorim’s side, as seen by their tally of 44 Premier League goals last season, the supporters must wish they had a player of the 44-year-old’s calibre.

However, the board are clearly trying to resolve such an issue this summer, leading to various top-level talents being linked with a move to Old Trafford ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

The latest on United’s hunt for new attackers this summer

Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have both already completed their big-money moves to join United, costing the hierarchy a staggering £130m to complete both deals.

The likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Dušan Vlahović have also been touted with moves to join Amorim’s side, but it appears they have been sounded out by the hierarchy.

However, the main player currently in their sights for the current window is Aston Villa talisman Ollie Watkins, that’s according to talkSPORT’s latest update.

They claim that Amorim desperately wants a move for the 29-year-old this window, making him his top target for the centre-forward position at the Theatre of Dreams.

Their article also states that Unai Emery’s side are reluctant to lose their main forward, subsequently slapping a £60m price tag to fend off any interest from the Red Devils.

Why United’s latest target would be the next Berbatov

Despite the interest in Watkins’ signature, RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has also been a player United have been making moves to sign this summer.

The Red Devils hierarchy have already held talks with the Bundesliga outfit over a potential move for the 22-year-old, with a real conflict over who the club should target between the boss and the board.

However, given his tally of 21 goals throughout 2024/25, he would cost a pretty penny, leading to his current employers demanding £78m to part ways with the Slovenian international.

Despite the move for Sesko, it’s clear Amorim prefers a move for Watkins, arguably a better choice, given the Englishman’s similarities to former fan-favourite Berbatov.

In the Premier League last season, the Villa forward produced numerous stats and moments that would see him replicate the Bulgarian if he moved to United.

Watkins, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by journalist John Townley, registered 16 league goals last year, with his effort against Everton highlighting his poacher instinct – something which Berbatov also possessed at Old Trafford.

His comparison to the former professional is further reflected in his ability to produce beautiful touches, having the talent to lay off other teammates around him.

The 29-year-old’s underlying stats are just as impressive, registering 1.4 shots on target per 90, at an accuracy rate of 44% last season – having the ability to change the side’s fortunes in attacking areas.

Games played

38

Goals & assists

24

Goals per shot on target

0.4

Progressive passes

1.1

Pass accuracy

72%

Progressive carries

1.9

Carries into final third

1.3

Aerials won

1.9

Fouls won

1.2

He also notched 1.9 progressive carries and 1.1 progressive passes per 90, subsequently able to further showcase his similarities to previous players who have worn the red shirt.

Whilst the debate remains about which striker the club should go for, there’s no denying that Watkins would offer an immediate option in the club’s quest for glory next season.

If he can have as much success in Manchester as Berbatov did, it would be an excellent pickup and one that could finally end the side’s hunt for a new talisman.

Bad news for Onana: Man Utd make contact for "incredible" star after Sesko

Manchester United are making huge moves in the transfer market this summer.

ByEthan Lamb Jul 31, 2025

Aston Villa are now “ready to make a move” for a “special” £60m star, with Unai Emery believed to be a “big fan”, transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke has revealed.

Aston Villa eyeing striker amid Watkins uncertainty

Sky Sports reporter Sacha Tavolieri recently revealed that Villa have held talks over selling Ollie Watkins to Manchester United, and with the Englishman keen on a move to Old Trafford, Emery may need to bring in a replacement this summer.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani is on the shortlist as a potential heir to Watkins, while the Villans have also set their sights on Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, having made initial contact over a deal for the striker earlier this week.

There has now been a new update on Aston Villa’s pursuit of Jackson, with O’Rourke revealing that Emery is a huge admirer of his former player, and the Football Insider report states the ex-Villarreal man could jump at the move.

O’Rourke said: “Unai Emery remains a big fan of Nicolas Jackson, so it’s no surprise that Villa are in the market for him.

“We know Villa need reinforcements in attack – they still haven’t really replaced Jhon Duran – and Jackson’s future’s is up in the air at Chelsea as well.

“If he does become available before the end of the window, there’s no doubt that Aston Villa will be one of those clubs ready to make a move for him, because Unai Emery is a huge fan of his.”

The Chelsea forward is thought to be unsettled by the arrivals of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro, which could open the door for a move to Villa Park.

NSWE now prepared for bidding war to sign "underrated" star for Aston Villa

The Villans could light a fire in the transfer market.

BySean Markus Clifford Jul 18, 2025 Jackson could be "special" signing for Aston Villa

A deal for the Senegalese striker is unlikely to be cheap, with previous reports suggesting the Blues could hold out for £60m, but there are signs he could be an exciting signing for Villa this summer.

While the arrivals of Delap and Pedro suggest Enzo Maresca doesn’t fully trust the 24-year-old, he has maintained a solid goal and assist record since his arrival in the Premier League.

Journalist Rahman Osman was also left impressed by the improvements the Chelsea ace made to his game last season.

Jackson could be an exciting addition to Emery’s squad, but if possible, the manager should also hold onto Watkins, given that the England international has amassed a very impressive 87 goals and 42 assists in 223 games since arriving at Villa Park.

Celtic find themselves linked with several options in the hunt for a striker, but further movement to address their forward line may depend on outgoings, according to a report.

Celtic's mission to retain Daizen Maeda this summer

For the first time in a while, Celtic have an abundance of striking options, albeit it is hard to determine whether they have the quality that Brendan Rodgers requires to navigate another campaign where his side will hope to compete on multiple fronts.

Callum Osmand, Johnny Kenny, Adam Idah, and incoming new boy Shin Yamada have added variety in the final third. Still, there is no doubt that reflections on the summer window would be vastly altered if Daizen Maeda were to depart before the close of play.

Despite operating on the wing for most of his time in Glasgow, the Japan international played centrally on a frequent basis last season and rounded off a magnificent campaign with 33 goals across all competitions.

It always felt unlikely that he would last the duration of the market period without drawing attention, which has been the case amid interest from Leeds United, Brentford and others in his situation, albeit this came earlier on in proceedings.

Fenerbache have also been cited as admirers of Maeda and were known to be in the running. However, like many of Celtic’s high-profile departures, they tend to occur towards the end of the transfer window when clubs begin to realise they need to conduct business fast.

Medical set for "impressive" star to join Celtic after departure announced

The Bhoys are closing in on another signing.

BySean Markus Clifford Jul 17, 2025

The Bhoys generally follow a similar policy regarding new additions. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see this topic of conversation come to life again over the next few weeks, and reports suggest this saga may be far from complete.

Celtic line up potential contingency if Daizen Maeda were to depart

According to TEAMtalk, Celtic have set their sights on Wycombe Wanderers striker Richard Kone as a potential replacement for Maeda, should the latter succumb to interest later in the window.

Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and West Ham United are reportedly monitoring his situation, while Brentford are clued in following their early groundwork on his unique profile.

Daizen Maeda in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

51

Goals

33

Assists

12

Richard Kone in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

52

Goals

21

Assists

5

Turning to the market, Celtic have identified Kone as a potential source of goals to replicate Maeda and scouted him on three occasions last season, even if a deal may prove tricky amid Wycombe’s stance on letting the Ivorian head elsewhere.

Setting out their stall, the third-tier outfit could demand £7 million for the Ivorian striker, which is said to be a figure the Bhoys are unwilling to pay unless they were to utilise funds generated by sales.

Brentford, Crystal Palace, Norwich City, Toulouse and Union Saint-Gilloise have been enticed by Kone, who managed to direct 40 of his 99 shots on target last season in League One.

Plates are beginning to spin for Celtic, but it is fair to say a fair level of complication stands in the way of being able to land the prolific 22-year-old, who has been labelled someone with a ‘huge amount of potential’ by West Ham insider ExWHUEmployee amid the Hammers’ interest in him.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

When Liverpool last won the league, their transfer window was hardly filled with much inspiration. The most notable of arrivals saw Diogo Jota join from Wolves.

This time around, things are vastly different. The Reds are attacking things hard and have already made a seismic statement.

Liverpool summer transfer window in 2020

In 2025, Liverpool have already spent more than that aforementioned window, firstly bringing in Jeremie Frimpong to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold and then signing £116m man Florian Wirtz.

There’s more to come in the form of Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, while Alexander Isak continues to be linked with a move to Anfield. Just imagine that.

Once the Kerkez move is completed, the Reds could turn their attention towards another Premier League defender.

Liverpool seeking to bolster their defence

Frimpong has arrived to strengthen the right-hand side and before too long, Kerkez will come in to bolster the left.

The latest on that move is that Liverpool have now agreed a £40m deal to bring the Hungarian full-back to Merseyside.

Reports suggest that the player has already undergone his medical with the club and has been spotted at the training ground.

So, with that move wrapped up, Liverpool could now look at getting a move over the line for Crystal Palace defender, Marc Guehi.

Transfer Focus

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

A few days ago now it was reported that Richard Hughes and Co were preparing an offer to sign the England centre-back and a deal is now said to be moving in the right direction on the player side.

According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are now ‘very close’ to reaching an agreement with the player on personal terms.

It’s widely thought that Guehi will be allowed to leave Selhurst Park this summer with only one year remaining on his current deal. The Eagles value him at £70m but due to his contract situation, they may be forced to sell for around £45m.

Liverpool face plenty of competition for the defender’s signature, notably from Newcastle United.

How Guehi could emulate Mac Allister at Anfield

Liverpool have had great success at signing players from fellow Premier League clubs. The aforementioned Jota, despite his injury history, has done a sterling job, scoring 65 goals in 182 matches.

In recent years, Alexis Mac Allister stands proud as one of their finest investments.

In the summer of 2023, the Reds needed to strengthen in the middle of the park following the exits of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho. They did so by bringing in Mac Allister, a World Cup winner, from Brighton in a deal worth £35m.

That fee has turned out to be a bargain. The Argentine is not just one of the most consistent players in the Liverpool team but he’s also one of the most consistent figures in the entire Premier League.

His peers think so as well, with the midfielder nominated for the PFA’s Player of the Season award alongside Mohammed Salah.

That is a fine reward for the South American who enjoyed a fabulous campaign in the engine room. A natural leader, he certainly led by example with his performances, scoring seven goals and registering six assists in 49 matches across all competitions.

Vitally, Mac Allister didn’t need much time to adapt to Liverpool, largely because he’d already had great success in England with Brighton.

Guehi is a similar situation. Of course, he’s English, which will certainly help the adaptation period, but the fact he’s already starred in the Premier League will no doubt make this a truly risk-free signing for Slot and Co.

It’s in the last year that the Eagles star has really started to make a statement with his performances.

Since coming through at Chelsea, many have tipped the defender for big things and he could realise that by making a move to Anfield this summer. He’s deserving of a move, notably heralded as “England’s best centre-back” by one content creator following his displays at last summer’s European Championships.

Since then, he’s only gone from strength to strength. Guehi, the current captain at Palace, was one of the main factors behind their recent FA Cup success, famously beating Manchester City in the final.

Key passes

Top 11%

Progressive passes

Top 31%

Through balls

Top 9%

Tackles

Top 22%

Blocks

Top 20%

Ball recoveries

Top 29%

In doing so, he kept a clean sheet, showing his ability to perform in the big games. Like Mac Allister, he’s incredibly consistent. He didn’t make a single error leading to a goal all season in the Premier League and only made two errors leading to a shot.

In fact, since he signed for Palace, he’s only made two errors leading to a goal and four errors leading to a shot in the league. In the words of football writer Stuart James, he is an “incredible” defender.

For added context, Ibrahima Konate made one error leading to a goal last season and two leading to a shot. Since moving to Liverpool, he’s made five errors leading to a goal in the top-flight. On that evidence, Guehi is a little smarter, certainly more consistent.

Like Mac Allister, he could be the risk-free bargain signing that would make Liverpool even better. If a deal can be done for £45m, it’s a no-brainer.

He could surpass Salah: Liverpool now prepared to sign another £100m star

Liverpool are in the market for a centre-forward this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 19, 2025

It’s been a non-stop summer for those at the Stadium of Light as the reality of the Premier League begins to dawn on Sunderland.

By the time Sunderland’s opener comes around versus West Ham United, the complexion of Regis Le Bris’ starting lineup could look very different from the playoff final success against Sheffield United, with both Jobe Bellingham and Tommy Watson already nowhere to be seen.

Moreover, there will no doubt be a lot of new faces vying for game-time after joining the newly promoted club, with Marcin Bulka perhaps taking over first-team goalkeeper duties from Anthony Patterson if he does join from OGC Nice.

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday that the Black Cats have opened talks regarding a potential move for the Polish stopper, as they seek to win the race ahead of a long list of other suitors.

He might not be the only defensive addition coming in this summer to bring extra competition, however, as Sunderland now find themselves locked in a race to sign a promising centre-back.

Sunderland in the race to sign £7m defender

As per a report by OnTheMinute, Sunderland remain in the race to land 21-year-old defender Saba Goglichidze.

Transfer Focus

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

The Empoli centre-back is attracting lots of interest despite his current employers’ recent relegation from the Serie A, with the report adding that the Black Cats’ fiercest rivals in Newcastle United are now keen on the Georgian as well, alongside fellow Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest.

It’s even been speculated that the Tricky Trees are now ready to place a £7m bid for the 6-foot-4 colossus, with OnTheMinute stating that a bid around this region could be enough for Empoli to part ways with their main asset.

Sunderland will hope they can gain an advantage in this race somehow, with Goglichidze’s potential arrival – on top of Bulka walking through the door – undoubtedly strengthening Le Bris and Co. at the back ahead of their uphill Premier League climb.

How Goglichidze could shine with Bulka

After all, when assessing Goglichidze’s stay at Empoli up to this point, it’s clear he isn’t fazed by the bright lights of a top division.

Indeed, the up-and-coming 21-year-old has even had suitors from AC Milan and Juventus look at him, with his sparkling form in Italy seeing him pick up a solitary assist from his 33 league encounters last season, on top of also bravely battling away for his basement side with 3.9 duels won on average.

With four clean sheets in league action next to his name, too, it’s clear that Goglichidze is destined for bigger and better things than slumping down to the Italian second division, and with Bulka behind in him the sticks, he could go on to look even more confident and assured knowing he has a top-drawer shot-stopper by his side.

Across his four seasons in between the sticks for Nice, the reliable Pole has managed to collect 30 clean sheets, with a hefty 18 of those coming just last campaign. To add context, Patterson would finish his own individual season with a lesser 14 next to his name, even from 45 games overall.

Games played

38

Goals scored

26

Goals conceded

69

Goal difference

-40

That is still a respectable tally, but there will be a real worry in the air about the intense jump-up in quality, considering Southampton – who were the reigning playoff champions before Sunderland’s big moment at Wembley – are just fresh off leaking a dire 86 strikes stuck at the bottom of the division, which is 17 more than the Black Cats gave up during their last relegation horror-show in the top-flight.

The Saints looking so porous could be sounding the alarm bells for Le Bris and Co. as we speak, with the Black Cats giving up a high 44 strikes last season themselves. Amazingly, both Leeds United and Burnley only gave up 46 goals combined.

The arrival of fresh blood in the form of Saba Goglichidze and his potential new Polish teammate might be just what the newly promoted side needs, therefore, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig even going as far as to declare the 21-year-old a “wonderful” talent.

It will be a turbulent ride ahead for Sunderland, but if Le Bris can work his magic on this fresh defensive pairing, survival might be reached.

Romano: Sunderland in talks to sign "superb" player loved by Luis Enrique

The Black Cats are in the hunt for a new stopper.

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 26, 2025

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.

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

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.

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 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.

Tottenham submit bid for Kompany-esque defender to replace Cristian Romero

He’s been likened to the former Man City captain and Bayern Munich manager.

ByEmilio Galantini May 24, 2025

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.