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Burnley are back in the promised land of the Premier League and could now look to swoop for two young stars to bolster their hopes for the long term at Turf Moor, according to a report.

Burnley sign Loum Tchaouna to complete fourth summer signing

Scott Parker has begun to make moves in Lancashire ahead of the Clarets’ return to the Premier League, with Axel Tuanzebe, Quilindschy Hartman and Max Weiss joining their fight to stay in the top-flight.

Now, Loum Tchaouna has joined Burnley from Lazio for a fee in the region of £13 million, further illustrating their commitment to strengthening ahead of an exciting campaign for all involved at Turf Moor.

Speaking after his arrival was confirmed, the French talent stated: “I spoke with the manager during the (Under-21) Euros this summer and we had a really good conversation, which made me realise I wanted to be here.”

Financially, Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford’s seemingly inevitable move to Newcastle United could free up £40 million to be invested in further reinforcements, even if losing the England Under-21 international will come as a blow to those within the corridors of power.

With July now upon us, the transfer window never rests and Lee Hendrie believes Norwich City forward Josh Sargent would be a ‘great signing’ for the Clarets in light of links involving the United States international with a switch to the Premier League newcomers.

Burnley now plotting summer move for £90,000-a-week Premier League star

He has scored 36 goals in the top flight.

By
Henry Jackson

Jun 28, 2025

Either way, it feels like several additions will be necessary to help Burnley stand a chance of avoiding the drop, which is becoming an increasingly difficult task year on year due to the financial disparity between newly-promoted sides and the established clubs.

Nevertheless, Parker could now be set to strengthen the ranks further if recent reports are to be believed.

Burnley make advances to land Salford City duo

According to EFL Analysis, Burnley have seen a bid rejected for Salford City forward Kyrell Malcolm and they are also reportedly interested in bringing his teammate Will Wright to Turf Moor.

Intriguingly, Malcolm, 18, is admired by Everton and Blackburn Rovers, while Wright has attracted interest from the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Brentford.

Both players are only in the infancy of their careers, but suitors are beginning to emerge for both strikers in light of their potential to develop into stars of the future.

Previously, Salford City co-owner Ryan Giggs described Malcolm as an “exciting player”, which is quite the compliment given his own standing as one of the Premier League’s finest ever performers at Manchester United.

Neither would be expected to become first-team assets straight away, but the fact Burnley want to add two rising talents to their ranks is an indication that the club are on the correct trajectory.

Liverpool have been busy already in the 2025 summer transfer window. It has been a remarkable show of intent from Arne Slot’s team, who, as defending champions, are making a clear step towards strengthening their side to defend the Premier League next season.

Jeremie Frimpong has already joined the club, and a deal for Florian Wirtz cannot be more than a few days away now. Fabrizio Romano gave the move his famous “here we go” confirmation, citing the price of the move as £128m including add-ons.

With that much money spent on the German star, you might think there is not enough money left for the Reds to spend.

However, a recent report implies they could splash the cash even more.

Liverpool's next big signing earmarked

If Liverpool were to spend big after signing Wirtz, it would be a huge statement to the rest of the Premier League, and arguably make them favourites to retain their crown. There certainly seems to be money left for another marquee addition.

That player could be Alexander Isak of Newcastle United.

Transfer Focus

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

At least, that is according to a recent report from Lewis Steele, the Daily Mail’s Merseyside-based reporter. The journalist explained that a move for Isak could materialise and that he ‘wouldn’t completely rule it out’ this summer.

However, unsurprisingly, this is not a deal that would come cheap for the newly-crowned Premier League champions. Steele explained that ‘Newcastle don’t want to sell him for cheap’, before naming a ‘ballpark figure’ starting at around £130m and reaching as much as £140m.

That makes any move extremely unlikely but TEAMtalk do reveal that the Swede is Liverpool’s number one striker target this summer.

How Wirtz could improve Alexander Isak

There is a very strong case to be made that 25-year-old is the best number nine in the Premier League. He was sensational last season for Eddie Howe’s side, helping claw them into a Champions League spot.

Last season for the Magpies, Isak played 34 Premier League games, scoring 23 goals and registering six assists. No striker managed to find the back of the net more often, and Mohamed Salah, Isak’s teammate if he moves to Anfield, was the only player to bag more.

Of course, Liverpool know all too well the dangers that Isak has to offer, having been on the receiving end of his goal threat plenty.

In six matches against the Reds in his career, the Sweden international has scored four goals and grabbed an assist. One of those strikes came in the Carabao Cup final in 2025.

The Anfield faithful could be in dreamland if they get to see Wirtz and Isak link up next season. The Bayer Leverkusen star has been in sensational form in 2024/25, with 16 goals and 15 assists in 45 games for the German side.

The crucial thing there is the assist number. At just 22 years of age, Wirtz is already a player who creates an obscene number of goals for his side. However, if you combine him with a player as good as Isak, who is a natural killer in front of goal, he may only get better.

The assist below is an excellent example of how the two new potential Liverpool recruits can combine.

With Wirtz receiving the ball out on the left, he is able to beat the defender and play a perfectly weighted pass to Patrick Schick, who scores.

Now, imagine the passage of play takes place in Liverpool colours at Anfield, with Wirtz’s pass going to Isak, and it is not hard to see why the pair could become unstoppable. The deadly striker could turn his potential new teammate into an even better creative force in the final third.

Isak’s stats from the Premier League last term via FBRef are exceptional, too. The Sweden international ranks highly for most metrics, including goals per shot on target, which was 0.46 each game, showing just how efficient he is with his shooting.

There is no doubt that £140m is a huge investment for Liverpool, on top of the money they already spent on Wirtz. However, Isak is an “elite” striker, as Statman Dave said, and he could make this Liverpool side virtually unbeatable.

If this is a deal they get over the line, it would be a huge statement of intent, and a signing that could make Wirtz even better, too.

He'd be incredible with Wirtz: Liverpool make approach to sign £43m winger

Liverpool will need to replace Luis Diaz if he is sold this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 17, 2025

Burnley’s intimidating defence last season in the Championship was one major factor behind why Scott Parker’s men sealed automatic promotion on 100 points.

Whilst the Clarets did score a reasonable 69 strikes across the 46-game marathon, they amazingly only gave up 16 goals across that same period, culminating in the Lancashire outfit losing just two second-tier contests all season long.

Burnley have been known to be a well-drilled machine in this regard for many a year, with Sean Dyche the first notable manager to make the Clarets a hard-to-beat unit when he was situated in the Turf Moor dug-out.

Throughout his well-known stint at the Clarets, Dyche regularly called upon the likes of James Tarkowski to ensure opposition attackers knew they were in for a tough fight when attempting to break down Burnley’s rock-solid defence.

Tarkowski's defensive heroics at Burnley

Now lining up for Everton at 32 years of age, Tarkowski has Burnley to thank for initially kickstarting his career at the very top.

In total, the imposing veteran would go on to make 219 appearances for the Clarets, with his reputation throughout his stay at the club centring on his no-nonsense approach aerially.

His breakout season in the Premier League for Burnley would come about during the 2018/19 campaign, with the centre-back scoring three goals when putting his towering 6-foot-1 frame to good use, alongside winning a ridiculous 7.8 duels per league clash.

No longer at Turf Moor, he is certainly ageing like a fine wine. He secured ten clean sheets in league action across 2024/25 and most famously scored that thunderbolt of a goal in the dying embers of Goodison Park’s last Merseyside derby.

He’s a man for the big occasion and as Parker and Co go about strengthening their ranks, they’ll certainly be hoping to find their next Tarkowski.

Burnley's "outstanding" new Tarkowski

Unfortunately, it looks unlikely that Burnley will be able to keep all the components of their robust defence together past this transfer window, with CJ Egan-Riley and Maxime Esteve both reportedly heading for the exit door.

Therefore, a new, strong defender will surely be high up the Clarets’ shopping list, with rumours coming to the surface now from journalist Graeme Bailey suggesting 6-foot-4 brute Chris Mepham be on Parker’s radar as they aim to add numbers at the back.

Burnley are already well aware of how tricky a defender Mepham can be to get the better of, having clashed with him last season when he was out on loan with eventual playoff winners Sunderland.

The Welshman stood out as a powerful centre-back throughout that loan spell, and with plenty of Premier League experience in the tank at 61 top-flight games and counting, he could be just what Burnley desire in trying to land an up-to-date Tarkowski.

His similarities to Tarkowski are even more striking when glancing at the table above, with Mepham both a defensive option that is comfortable with the ball at his feet and joining in with attacks, but also a figure who will valiantly throw himself into duels for the cause, like the ex-Burnley captain.

Black Cats skipper Dan Neil would even herald Mepham as “outstanding” for his brave efforts during Sunderland’s promotion story, with Parker hopeful he could make a similarly quick impact at the heart of the Clarets’ defence if signed.

Burnley won’t want to just roll back the years in winning themselves a gritty defender like Tarkowski, however.

Even more so, the Lancashire underdogs will pray they can become a Premier League regular again, with Mepham joining potentially strengthening their chances of immediately staving off the drop.

Burnley can land dream Esteve replacement by signing £12m "warrior"

Burnley would immediately bounce back from Maxime Esteve’s potential departure by snapping up this Premier League-calibre warrior.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 8, 2025

Birmingham City supporters will already be excited about the 2025/26 campaign getting underway as they aim to become a top-end Championship side.

Chris Davies’ men haven’t actually finished in the top half of the second-tier since their tenth place finish at the close of the 2015/16 season, with their last adventure in the Premier League coming all the way back in 2011 before they tumbled down to League One.

But, there is a positive, new dawn at St. Andrew’s after the Blues accumulated a mighty 111 points to lift the third-tier title, meaning they will re-enter the Championship raring to succeed.

Plenty of new signings will soon come into the building to help Birmingham try and push on up a level too, but promotion hero Jay Stansfield will surely have a huge role to play in the West Midlands giants leaping up a division and taking it in their stride after setting League One alight.

Stansfield's goalscoring heroics in 2024/25

The former Fulham striker entering Davies’ ranks last summer was seen as somewhat of a coup, considering he was pushing for some senior opportunities at Craven Cottage before calling St. Andrew’s his fixed home.

He wouldn’t dwell on his Cottagers exit for long, though, with the 22-year-old going on to fire home a mightily impressive 19 strikes in league action from 31 starts as Birmingham’s main leading man in attack.

There will be a hope now that Stansfield can kick on and cause Championship defences the same amount of bother.

After all, he has already tallied up 12 goals at the daunting level when previously on loan with the Blues, before joining permanently.

The ambitious outfit could even be about to sign their next iteration of Stansfield with Birmingham’s latest target also on the periphery of their Premier League employers but a more than capable player in the EFL.

Birmingham's "incredible" new Stansfield

Despite already possessing Stansfield’s firepower, the Blues will be looking to make their attack even more deadly in the Championship, as seen in Davies’ men being linked with Kwame Poku and Che Adams.

Their latest target is Aston Villa forward Louie Barry, with GIVEMESPORT reporting that he is likely to be allowed to leave on loan. As a result, his name has allegedly been mentioned ‘internally’ at St Andrew’s by Tom Wagner and Co ahead of a summer move.

This would undoubtedly be a controversial move to seal, considering he would be crossing enemy lines from his parent employers Villa to the blue side of the Midlands.

But, controversy aside, adding Barry would definitely boost Birmingham’s attacking output when taking into account his whirlwind Stockport County loan stint.

Described as “incredible” by Declan Rice, the entertaining 21-year-old picking up a bumper 15 goals from just 22 league appearances for the Hatters this season, proving, that like Stansfield, he knows how to find the back of the net away from the top-flight.

Sadly, despite tearing League One to shreds with Dave Challinor’s side, no real meaningful senior opportunities have come the attacker’s way at Villa Park, as seen in him picking up just one solitary first-team chance.

Therefore, much like Stansfield’s journey, Barry might well view Birmingham as the next best choice for his development, regardless of any heated rivalries between Villa and the Blues.

Down the line, he might even view St. Andrew’s as a place where he could permanently reside, especially if his new potential team soar to some great heights making the step back up to the challenging Championship.

Dream Birmingham XI after promotion: Adams returns, "unplayable" star signs

Birmingham City could soon welcome in a whole host of new faces as they attempt to take the Championship by storm.

By
Kelan Sarson

May 30, 2025

With Liam Delap heading for the exit door, Ipswich Town have reportedly made their first move in an attempt to replace their star man with a Manchester City gem this summer.

Chelsea closing in on Delap move

Whilst it seemed as though it was Manchester United in the driving seat in the race for his signature, Delap has handed the Red Devils an unexpected rejection and is reportedly heading to West London. As revealed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have even already booked a medical to sign the Ipswich star after triggering his bargain £30m release clause.

Although Delap’s pending departure is an undeniable blow, it’s one that Ipswich would have been expecting ever since their Premier League relegation was confirmed and the forward’s cheap release clause was revealed.

Manager Kieran McKenna, perhaps more than most, will be well aware of the impact that Delap’s exit could have. The Ipswich boss was as honest as ever when speaking about the rumours linking the former Manchester City gem with a move away from Portman Road, recently telling reporters: “Liam’s looking at his options for next year, which I think he is entitled to do and we support him with that.

“I think we have given him permission to do that this week. It’s a very important decision for his future. Of course there is a lot of interest – and rightly so. I think part of his week has been having some of those conversations.”

As frustrating as his departure will be, Ipswich have already moved on quickly this summer with reports now suggesting that they’ve made their first approach to sign a potential replacement.

Ipswich make first approach to sign £10m Mubama

According to Romano, Ipswich have now made their first approach to sign Divin Mubama from Manchester City this summer. The 20-year-old forward is a player with plenty of promise and showcased his potential for City’s youth side by scoring an impressive 17 goals in 15 games throughout the campaign.

Now, he could ready for first-team football and will cost Ipswich £10m if they push on with their move this summer.

It should come as no shock to see those at Portman Road turning their attention towards Manchester City’s academy for a second time. Their move for Delap, despite their relegation, remains impressive and one year on they could repeat that stroke of genius by signing Mubama.

If "sensational" Ipswich star leaves, it would be as disastrous as Delap

Ipswich Town could also lose this sensational star away from just Liam Delap leaving Portman Road.

By
Kelan Sarson

May 23, 2025

Described as “strong aerially” by analyst Ben Mattinson, the Manchester City talent could replace both the goals and physical presence that Delap often offered McKenna’s side across the last 12 months. For £10m, all signs are pointing towards a player full of promise.

Glasgow Rangers search for a new manager might well stretch into June as the Ibrox side are not any further forward after the end of the 2024/25 campaign last week.

The longer the club waits, the harder it will be for the new manager to integrate smoothly, thus wasting precious preparation time.

Celtic are on course to win yet another domestic treble, their sixth in the previous nine seasons. If the wrong man is appointed this summer, Brendan Rodgers will only continue to motor his side further and further away from Rangers.

It is no exaggeration to say that this is perhaps the most important summer in the club’s recent history. Get the right manager in, and the Light Blues could enjoy their own Martin O’Neil or Ange Postecoglou, a force which stops the opposition juggernaut.

If not, the consequences could prove to be catastrophic, no doubt about that.

The latest on Steven Gerrard and Davide Ancelotti

The two names that have been routinely linked to taking over the vacant role at Ibrox are Steven Gerrard and Davide Ancelotti.

Gerrard has plenty of history with the Gers. His first senior managerial role came in Glasgow, arriving in the summer of 2018 to try and restore the club to the summit of Scottish football.

His first two seasons saw plenty of progress, including three victories over Celtic, with a win at Parkhead for the first time since 2010, but no trophies were won.

The 2020/21 season changed all that. After some smart recruitment in the summer of 2020, signing players such as Kemar Roofe, Ianis Hagi, and Calvin Bassey, the Light Blues won their first Premiership title in a decade.

Not only that, they went through the league season undefeated, and it looked as though this was just the start of another era of dominance.

For Gerrard, however, a lack of backing in the transfer market ahead of the 2021/22 campaign saw him doubt his future at Ibrox. When Aston Villa came calling, he jumped ship to the riches of the Premier League.

Now, it looks as though the Englishman is ready for a return to the club where he began his managerial career. He knows the club inside out, that’s a certainty, but will a return be the right thing for Rangers?

Elsewhere, Ancelotti has been linked with a surprise move to the Gers to become their new head coach. It was then revealed that the Italian was going to join his dad, Carlo, as Brazil assistant in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup. This meant he was out of the running.

Recent news suggests that Ancelotti is set to make a name for himself as a manager this summer, which puts a move to Rangers back on.

He has worked with his father at clubs such as Madrid, Bayern Munich and Napoli over the years, but is he ready for the step-up to a managerial role?

There has been another name surprisingly, linked with a move to Ibrox. And he also has a previous history with the club…

Rangers considering move for Gennaro Gattuso

While all the talk has surrounded Gerrard and Ancelotti, names such as Russell Martin, Rob Edwards and Gary O’Neil have also been considered by the board for the role, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

One name stands out among the noise, however, and that is Gennaro Gattuso. Bailey mentions the Italian as a manager the club are also considering, but unlike the rest of those linked, Gattuso is currently in charge of a club.

Indeed, he could lead Hajduk Split to their first domestic title since 2005, although it will be a long shot after their collapse over the previous few weeks.

Reports state that he could leave the Croatian side, even if he somehow leads them to the title, which means he would be available this summer.

Manager Focus

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Would Rangers take a chance on their former player? That much remains to be seen.

Gennaro Gattuso could be a perfect left-field choice for Rangers

The 2006 World Cup winner has managed nine clubs since hanging up his boots, winning the Coppa Italia with Napoli in 2020, which is his only trophy in management thus far.

Truth be told, he hasn’t been a major success at any of the clubs that he has taken over in the past. He spent nearly two years in charge of AC Milan between November 2017 and May 2019, but he failed to return them to the top of Serie A.

Utilising a 4-2-3-1 system throughout his career in the dugout, this could work well with the players he would have at his disposal should he surprisingly take the reins at Ibrox.

After his cup glory with Napoli five years ago, journalist Anthony Lopopolo lavished praise on the former midfielder, saying:

“Gattuso is one of the best men in football. He deserves the Coppa Italia and so much more. He’s had some odd jobs in his coaching career, and he’s faced a lot of criticism, but he’s a winner because he has principles.”

These sorts of qualities would work in Glasgow. He knows what it is to win, having led AC Milan to two Serie A titles and two Champions League trophies between 2003 and 2011.

He spent a single season at Rangers during 1997/98. Although they failed to win their tenth league title in a row, Gattuso’s early abilities were on show, and it was clear he would have an excellent career in the game.

It would be taking a big gamble in appointing Gattuso, but is it any bigger than making a move for Ancelotti?

The hot-headed coach may not be perfect, but the Light Blues need someone with that winning mentality. The former Italy international knows plenty about that. That’s for certain.

Whoever is appointed faces a busy summer transfer window indeed.

After Hagi & Balogun: 49ers must ruthlessly axe "struggling" Rangers flop

Rangers must move on from this flop after they released Ianis Hagi and Leon Balogun.

By
Dan Emery

May 22, 2025

Glasgow Rangers will need a new manager in the dugout at Ibrox when the 2025/26 campaign gets underway later this year, having relieved Philippe Clement of his duties in February.

Barry Ferguson came in to replace the Belgian head coach as an interim manager until the end of the season, and his side did beat Aberdeen 4-0 last time out in the league.

However, the former Rangers central midfielder has only won five of his 13 matches in charge of the club in all competitions, losing four of those games.

Ferguson’s most recent managerial experience before his current stint at Ibrox came at Alloa Athletic in the 2021/22 campaign, when he lost 17 of his 33 games at the helm.

These statistics do not suggest that the former Scotland international is the right man to lead the Light Blues back to glory in the Scottish Premiership moving forward, which is why he should not be a contender for the job.

It does appear as though Rangers are set to look externally for their new head coach this summer, as they have been linked with a move for Davide Ancelotti.

Why Davide Ancelotti could be exciting for Rangers

It was recently reported that the son of Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently part of his father’s coaching staff at Real Madrid, is closing in on the Rangers job.

The Light Blues were reported to be pushing to bring him to Ibrox to convince him to take his first role as a senior head coach, rather than going to join his dad when he becomes the Brazil manager later this year.

The Rangers-linked coach has worked with his father at Real Madrid, Everton, and Bayern Munich, and has been described as an influential figure behind the scenes.

Former Bayern midfielder Javi Martinez, as quoted by the BBC, hailed Davide’s influence on Carlo: “The evolution process never stops and it is more difficult to adapt for older coaches. Davide completes Carlo and helps him understand the evolution of football. Davide is incredible: prepared, serious, a great person, like his father.”

As you can see in the graphic above, he has learned from one of the best managers around, given the incredible number of trophies his father has won, and that illustrates why him being an influential figure on his coaching staff is a big positive ahead of a possible move to Rangers.

This is why, despite his lack of outright managerial experience, Ancelotti could be an exciting appointment for the Gers and a chance to get behind a new era at Ibrox, which could be kickstarted with an excellent signing.

Rangers make contact to sign English forward

According to The Herald, Rangers have made contact with Blackburn Rovers forward Tyrhys Dolan to remain informed on his situation ahead of the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Gers want to keep tabs on the English attacker, who could become a free agent this summer if he does not extend his contract with the Championship side.

Transfer Focus

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

It reveals that Blackburn would value Dolan between £5m and £10m but they could lose him for a nominal compensation fee if he runs down his contract to sign for the Light Blues.

The report, however, adds that Premiership rivals Celtic are also monitoring the winger ahead of a possible swoop for his services in the summer window, which shows that there will be competition for the 23-year-old dynamo’s services.

This means that Rangers may have to act fast once it becomes clear that Dolan will be available to sign when his contract at Ewood Park expires at the end of June, as they will have to beat other teams to his signature.

The board should push to get a deal over the line for the Blackburn star because he could be an excellent signing to kick the Ancelotti era off with a bang, should a move to appoint the Real Madrid coach go through.

Why Rangers should sign Tyrhys Dolan

The Light Blues could kickstart the Ancelotti era in exciting fashion by signing Dolan because he is a promising young talent with the potential to make a big impact at the top end of the pitch in Scottish football.

At the age of 23, the Blackburn star would arrive with plenty of time left ahead of him to develop and improve as a player, which means that he could be a long-term addition to the side as well as having the quality to make an instant impact.

As you can see in the clip above, Dolan is also a player who has showcased his quality in the final third in the Championship for the English side this season.

The incredibly versatile attacker, who can play on the left, on the right, as an attacking midfielder, or as a striker, has shown that he has the potential to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis if put in the right environment.

Dolan has only averaged 38.1 touches per game in a Blackburn team that ranked 16th in the league for xG, with 51.6 xG in 46 matches, which shows that he was not getting loads of touches in a well-coached attacking side.

Vaclav Cerny, meanwhile, has delivered 12 goals and three assists with 50.7 touches per game for Rangers on the right flank in the Premiership this season.

As you can see in the table above, Dolan enjoyed a better conversion rate of shots to goals than Cerny has managed so far this season in the Premiership, and created more ‘big chances’ for his side with roughly 12 fewer touches per game on average.

These statistics suggest that the English star’s output at the top end of the pitch could soar if he was put in a Rangers team that gives him plenty of touches in the final third, with more chances to take shots and create chances as an exciting wide player.

Dolan, once hailed as “outstanding” by former boss John Eustace, would also provide an exciting celebration for supporters when he scores, as shown in the clip above.

In all seriousness, though, he could be the perfect first signing of the Ancelotti era as a superb young talent who has the quality and the potential to be a star at Ibrox, with the chance to be more influential in the final third as part of a more dominant and attacking team than he has been at Blackburn.

Rangers: 49ers plotting statement signing of "very talented" £4m Brazilian

The Gers’ prospective new owners have set their sights on a midfielder.

By
Dominic Lund

May 13, 2025

With the summer transfer window approaching, Everton are reportedly among those racing to sign a relegated Premier League star, who is available at a bargain price.

Friedkin need statement Everton summer

So far, it’s been so good from The Friedkin Group. Everton are about to bid an emotional farewell to Goodison Park ahead of moving into their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium next season and the appointment of David Moyes has ensured that a new era will commence in the Premier League. The veteran manager returned to a number of doubters but has steered the club to safety with great comfort.

The Everton boss will have his eye on more than just surviving next season, however, as will Friedkin. The new owners have the chance to make their mark for the first time in a summer transfer window in Merseyside and rumours suggest that they’re planning to do exactly that.

Recent links have even suggested that the Toffees are interested in re-signing Richarlison from Tottenham Hotspur. The Brazilian has struggled ever since swapping Merseyside for North London and may yet be heading back in the opposite direction this summer.

It’s a reunion that would see a club hero return to commence a new era and one which could be spent away from the dangers of the dropzone. That said, Richarlison isn’t the only name who reportedly finds himself on Everton’s radar.

In talks to stay: Everton star is becoming more important than Branthwaite

Not all of Everton’s veterans are going to be part of the exodus this summer.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Apr 30, 2025

Those in Merseyside have also reportedly set their sights on taking full advantage of the Premier League’s relegated trio and potentially landing one particular bargain deal when the summer arrives.

Everton racing to sign Wilfred Ndidi

According to The Boot Room, Everton are now racing to sign Wilfred Ndidi from Leicester City this summer, triggering his £9m relegation release clause in the process. Friedkin are reportedly admirers of the experienced midfielder and are set to do battle with both Sheffield United and Burnley in pursuit of his signature at a bargain price in the coming months.

It becomes clear why Friedkin are admirers of Ndidi when comparing his talent to that of Abdoulaye Doucoure’s, who is on course to depart as a free agent at the end of the season. In comparison, as impressive as Doucoure has been at times, it is Ndidi who stands out for his work off the ball – work which deserves to stay in the Premier League.

Once described as an “incredible player” by former Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers, Ndidi will be one to watch this summer, especially amid his reported £9m release clause.

It’s a price that Everton should take full advantage of to not only land a replacement for Doucoure, but arguably an upgrade.

It may have come all too late with regard to Manchester United’s Premier League fortunes, although Ruben Amorim’s first-team squad is beginning to look far stronger, ahead of a pivotal last few weeks of the campaign.

Against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday night, the dominant visitors showcased the growing depth to their ranks, with the former Sporting CP boss able to call upon the likes of Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Matthijs de Ligt and, of course, Amad Diallo from the bench.

At one stage looking set to miss the remainder of the season, after being struck down with an ankle injury back in mid-February, the diminutive Ivorian has beaten the odds to seal a swift return to action.

Previously the shining light of 2024/25, prior to being overtaken by Bruno Fernandes in his absence, the 22-year-old has chalked up 12 goals and assists in just 21 games under Amorim’s watch, having even looked lively during his brief cameo in midweek.

The former Atalanta starlet notably evaded his man down the right flank with a breathtaking piece of skill and trickery late on, with that moment alone signifying just what United have been missing in recent months.

Capable of operating at wing-back or in a number ten berth, the £120k-per-week wizard – who recently signed a new long-term deal – looks set to be a mainstay at Old Trafford for years to come. Now it’s time to start building a team around him…

Latest on Man Utd's transfer search

If Amad’s future is to lie as a number ten, then the role on the opposite side – should Fernandes slot into a deep-lying berth – could be taken up by Matheus Cunha, with the Wolverhampton Wanderers star seemingly edging closer to a £62.5m move to Old Trafford.

That new-look frontline could then be strengthened even further with the presence of a new centre-forward, with recent reports indicating that the Red Devils remain “in the race” for Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres.

As per Sky Sports Germany reporter, Florian Plettenberg, while it is Arsenal who are “pushing” to sign the prolific Swede, United are among the clubs also battling for his signature, alongside Chelsea and Real Madrid.

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According to Plettenberg, the 26-year-old is able to leave Portugal this summer for a fee between €60-€70m (£51m – £63m), having struck a “verbal agreement” with the Lisbon-based side already.

Previously signed by Amorim from Coventry City on a £17m deal back in 2023, Gyokeres could represent the key to truly kickstarting the new regime in Manchester.

Why Man Utd need to sign the "hottest striker in Europe"

It remains remarkable that the Sweden international was once on the books at Brighton and Hove Albion, yet never actually managed to make a league appearance for the Seagulls, having been sent out on a handful of loan moves during his time at the Amex.

As noted by ESPN’s Mark Ogden, it was actually one-time United director, Dan Ashworth, who oversaw the measly £1m sale of Gyokeres to Coventry in 2021, with the player having since gone on to become the “hottest striker in Europe”.

The in-demand marksman had actually only scored four goals during his initial loan move with the Sky Blues, although as his former teammate Jake Bidwell revealed, he seemingly returned a “different animal” following the completion of his permanent switch.

38 Championship strikes followed over the next two seasons, while Gyokeres has since chalked up a breathtaking total of 95 goals in just 98 games in his current home, including seven across his last two Liga Portugal outings.

A monster. A machine. Whatever you want to call him, the rampaging number nine – who also boasts 15 goals in 26 senior games for his country – is simply devastating right now in front of goal, with it no surprise that Amorim might well be keen on a reunion.

What Gyokeres will need is quality service if he is potentially flourish at the Theatre of Dreams, with Amad – as well as Fernandes – potentially set to prove key in that regard, considering he has averaged 1.8 key passes per game in the league this season, while chalking up six assists, as per Sofascore.

Equally, the one-time Sunderland loanee also has that knack of driving at a defence in order to create space for his teammates, something which could certainly benefit Gyokeres, as he ranks in the top 9% among his European peers for progressive carries per 90.

That desire to make things happen in the final third also ensures that Amad ranks in the top 18% for touches in the opposition penalty box, again ensuring opportunities should arise for those alongside him.

A player who can press from the front with lightning speed, as indicated with his goal against Spurs after charging down Fraser Forster, Amad is simply a player who causes havoc. Someone who sucks defenders toward him.

In truth, having scored just 39 league goals in 2024/25, the Red Devils are crying out for similar talents who can win games on their own. Judging by Gyokeres’ heroics in Lisbon, he certainly fits the bill…

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By
Ethan Lamb

May 3, 2025

Well, it would be fair to say that Tottenham Hotspur surpassed most people’s expectations last night.

Ange Postecoglou’s side went into the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final away to Eintracht Frankfurt off the back of a dire 4-2 defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, so plenty of fans and pundits alike feared the worst.

However, the North Londoners put in a superb performance on the night, demonstrating that, when near their best, they can be a real force to be reckoned with.

In fact, there were brilliant displays across the pitch from the visitors, but a couple really stood out and are now undroppable, including Dominic Solanke.

Solanke's game vs Frankfurt

It’s been a challenging couple of months for Spurs’ record-signing, as, since returning from his knee injury towards the end of February, he failed to score in eight games across the league and Europa League until his ninth appearance last night, that is.

After James Maddison won the Lilywhites a penalty in the 38th minute, it was up to the former Bournemouth star to put it away, and with a well-placed shot down the middle, he did just that.

However, it wasn’t just the goal that made his performance such an impressive one, as the Englishman ran himself into the ground all game, be that to help craft chances for his teammates or to pressure the hosts’ backline and stop them from gaining any sort of foothold in the game.

Unsurprisingly, the watching press was equally impressed, with Alasdair Gold awarding the poacher an 8/10 match rating at full-time and writing that he ‘gave everything’ and that Frankfurt ‘never had a moment of quiet with him.’

In short, it was the sort of display that makes him undroppable for the semi-finals, which could also be said for one of his fellow starters.

The Spurs star who is now undroppable

So, there were a few other starters from last night that put in a solid showing, from Lucas Bergvall and Rodrigo Bentancur to Mathys Tel and Destiny Udogie, but when it comes to the other star of the night, it has to be Cristian Romero.

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As one of the club’s co-vice-captains, the World Cup winner led by example last night, and while he may have had one of his trademark moments of madness towards the end of the match, he was simply superb for the rest of the game.

Alongside centre-back partner Micky van de Ven, the Argentine restricted the hosts from gaining any serious chances at goal and then, on top of that, he also played the ball into Maddison, which won the side their game-winning penalty.

Like Solanke, the former Juventus gem left quite the impression on Gold, who awarded him a 9/10 match rating and wrote that he ‘defended well’ and put in ‘one of his best displays of the season’.

It might sound like hyperbole, but it’s really not, and the defender’s statistics help further illustrate how good he was.

For example, in his 97 minutes of action, he amassed a combined expected goal and assists figure of 0.44, made ten clearances, blocked one shot, made four interceptions and two tackles, won nine of 12 duels, lost the ball just seven times, took 71 touches, played one key pass, created one big chance and completed 100% of his dribbles.

Ultimately, it was a brilliant performance by Spurs last night and an even better individual performance by Romero, which makes him simply undroppable for the rest of the campaign.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 18, 2025