With just five games remaining and three points standing between themselves and the relegation zone, Portsmouth have been dealt another ill-timed injury blow as they look to confirm their Championship safety.

Portsmouth facing crucial run-in

Having achieved promotion back to the Championship last season, it would be an incredible success if Portsmouth managed to stay afloat at the first time of asking. On that front, John Mousinho’s side have still got a job to finish, however. As things stand, they sit 17th and a precarious three points above the dropzone ahead of a crucial few weeks.

Portsmouth vs Derby County

12/04/2025

Norwich City vs Portsmouth

18/04/2025

Portsmouth vs Watford

21/04/2025

Sheffield Wednesday vs Portsmouth

26/04/2025

Portsmouth vs Hull City

03/05/2025

Squaring off against two of the eight sides currently below them in the Championship standings ahead of their final five games, Portsmouth will hope to get back to winning ways as soon as possible after losing in the 94th minute against Coventry City last time out.

Mousinho had his say on the devastating last-gasp defeat, telling reporters: “It was a really difficult one. I was going to say what a really good point away from home at Coventry, a very, very solid performance, we caused them problems and nearly caught them at the very back end of the game.

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“The difference between that – the positivity – to where we are now. It’s obviously a solid display and then 10 seconds of madness.We have to be realistic about that. We can’t have those moments in games where we make really, really poor decisions because the ball ends up in the back of the net.”

What certainly didn’t help Pompey was the fresh injury news that they suffered in the build-up to the Coventry game, adding to their list of absentees alongside the likes of Connor Shaughnessy, Rob Atkinson and Ibane Bowat.

Milosevic adds to Portsmouth's injury woes

Now without four central defenders, Mousinho confirmed that Alexander Milosevic is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering an injury in the build-up to Portsmouth’s defeat against Coventry. Left to call on Connor Ogilvie, who can play left-back or centre-back, and Regan Poole, Pompey are one more defensive blow away from a makeshift backline.

Mousinho confirmed Milosevic’s injury, telling reporters: “Alex picked up an injury in training so we are going to scan that on Thursday and see how he is.”

Having arrived in March on a free deal, the 33-year-old is yet to make his Portsmouth debut and will now have to wait even longer just when Mousinho may have needed his services most amid an injury crisis.

Those around Fratton Park will simply be hoping to avoid another lengthy absence at a crucial time for the club. With just five games left to play, Portsmouth are so close to Championship safety and confirming that before a nervous game against Hull City on the final day would certainly come as a major relief.

Sheffield United’s place in the Championship Play-Offs was confirmed on Easter Monday after their disappointing 2-1 defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor.

The Blades and Sunderland are the two teams confirmed to be in the four-team post-season tournament to compete for a place in the Premier League next season.

Chris Wilder’s side have lost four of their last five matches and have to find a way to rediscover their form ahead of the play-offs, to avoid their season ending in complete disappointment, which could include putting faith in Tom Cannon.

Why Sheffield United should keep starting Tom Cannon

The Ireland international, who joined from Leicester City in the January transfer window, scored his first goal for the club with a thumping finish in the 2-1 defeat to Burnley.

It was his first goal in 13 matches for the club in the Championship, after a return of nine goals during the first half of the campaign on loan at Stoke, and is hopefully a sign of things to come.

Cannon, who scored four goals in one game earlier this season, has scored 20 goals in 68 matches at Championship level, and should be given the nod over Tyrese Campbell.

The English striker has scored ten goals in 32 league games this term, but is currently on a run of zero goals and zero assists in his last five outings, whilst Cannon has hit form with a goal against Burnley.

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Instead of unleashing Campbell in an attempt to turn the form around to win the Play-Offs, Wilder should bring Jesurun Rak-Sakyi off the bench to be a difference-maker.

Why Jesurun Rak-Sakyi should start for Sheffield United

The Crystal Palace loanee came off the bench in the defeat to Burnley and should, now, be brought into the starting line-up to replace Ben Brereton Diaz.

Sheffield United will need to be ruthless and effective at the top end of the pitch in their Play-Off outings if they want to earn promotion to the Premier League, which is why Rak-Sayki should be given the nod.

The 22-year-old star, once dubbed “remarkable” by Roy Hodgson, could come in to provide more quality than Brereton Diaz in the final third, based on their form in the division this term.

24/25 Championship

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi

Ben Brereton Diaz

Starts

22

13

xG

6.07

4.07

Goals

7

4

Key passes

31

14

xA

3.49

1.13

Assists

2

3

Dribbles completed per game

1.4

0.3

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Rak-Sakyi has been more effective as a finisher and racked up more than three times as much xA, despite only starting nine more games.

Brereton Diaz, who completed 56% of his passes and lost 100% of his duels against Burnley, does not carry as much of a threat from a wide position, which is why he should be dropped from the side in favour of the English winger.

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This change could, then, improve Sheffield United’s chances of winning the Play-Offs in the post-season, because they would have a more effective forward on the pitch by swapping Brereton Diaz for Rak-Sakyi.

This summer is a huge one for Mikel Arteta if he is to be successful at Arsenal, needing to secure key additions to his first-team squad to help take them to the next level.

The Spaniard has been in the role since December 2020, conducting an overhaul of the squad and helping them rise back up the Premier League table over recent years.

However, in the last two years, the Gunners have only been able to finish in second place, unable to make the leap and go one step further and end their two-decade wait for a title triumph.

During his tenure, the 43-year-old has only won one major trophy, claiming the FA Cup back in 2019/20 – with more success needed if he is to maintain his position at the helm.

If he is to do that, he will need to be backed by the board in the transfer market, needing to land various key targets in multiple areas to provide the strength and depth he greatly desires.

An update on Arsenal’s hunt for new signings this summer

Over the last few weeks, a striker has been top of Andrea Berta’s shopping list as Arsenal’s sporting director, with Viktor Gyokeres being his number one option this summer.

The Swede is of huge interest from multiple clubs across Europe after netting 52 goals in his 48 games across all competitions in 2024/25 for Sporting CP.

However, he’s not the only player on their shortlist, with Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz the latest name to emerge on their summer shortlist, according to one Spanish outlet.

The report claims that the Serie A side could entertain offers in the region of €90m (£76m) for the 20-year-old Turkish international in the coming months.

The Gunners are said to be wanting to improve Arteta’s options within the final third, with Yildiz high in their estimations given his versatility and that they could offer the youngster an exciting opportunity in North London.

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Martin Odegaard has been Arsenal’s go-to star in terms of creativity over the last couple of seasons, handing Arteta the platform to succeed in the Premier League.

The Norwegian has been a regular starter in the attacking midfield role for the Gunners since his £30m move from Real Madrid in the summer of 2021.

However, he’s been unable to produce his best performance levels in recent months, with injuries hampering his progress and undoubtedly having an impact on his showings.

The ankle issue he suffered back in September saw him miss six weeks of action, only registering nine combined goals and assists in the league since, highlighting his lack of form at the Emirates.

The summer will give the 26-year-old more time to regain full fitness, but he may not be able to thrive in his regular role in 2025/26 should the hierarchy pull off a deal for Yildiz.

The youngster, who’s primarily a winger, is also capable of operating in a number 10 role, which could end the Norwegian’s time as a regular starter in Arteta’s plans.

When comparing their respective stats from the ongoing campaign, the Turkish star has managed to outperform Odegaard in various key areas – highlighting what a superb addition he would be in North London.

How Yildiz compares to Odegaard in 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Yildiz

Odegaard

Games played

33

27

Goals & assists

8

9

Progressive carries

4.1

3.4

Shot on target accuracy

36%

30%

Take-ons completed

2.3

0.9

Take-on success

56%

51%

Tackles won

1.2

0.4

Stats via FBref

The Juve star, who’s been labelled “spectacular” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has completed more progressive carries per 90, along with more take-ons completed – showcasing the threat he poses with the ball at his feet in attacking areas.

He’s also managed to achieve a higher shot-on-target rate and more tackles won, having the ability to make an impact at both ends of the pitch within Arteta’s system.

Whilst it would be a hefty addition given the price tag that has been mooted, Yildiz has showcased his quality consistently at the top-level despite his tender age.

He has the potential to take his career to the next level in the Premier League, arguably being the club’s shining light in their ambitions of returning to the top of the division in the near future.

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With Leeds United looking to shift their focus away from title celebrations and towards the summer transfer window, the 49ers are now reportedly in active talks to sign an attacking target.

All eyes on the Premier League for Leeds

There will no doubt still be those partying in Yorkshire after Leeds sealed the Championship title ahead of Burnley on goal difference, having both hit the 100-point mark. The open-top bus parade was certainly a spectacle, as the city poured into the streets to make up for lost time in their 2019/20 promotion during the pandemic and the players enjoyed the release that they were desperate for all season.

Daniel Farke spoke of his pride after earning title glory alongside promotion to the Premier League, telling reporters: “I’m happy we won and are allowed to label ourselves as champions and to be the best team through the whole season.

“A proud day, an emotionally moving day because we have invested so much and wanted to crown ourselves with some silverware. For many of my lads it was the first time they’d won any title, I’m very happy for them, my staff, our supporters. It’s a pretty proud day.”

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The celebrations can’t go on forever though, and with their return to the Premier League on the horizon, Leeds are beginning to turn their focus back towards what is a crucial summer transfer window. As the 49ers desperately look to get things right, several names have already threatened to steal the headlines.

Names such as Beto and Archie Brown have both been mentioned in the last week or so and there’s no doubt that both could make an impact. Before either of those two potentially arrive, however, the 49ers have reportedly set their sights on a familiar face.

Leeds in active talks to sign Solomon

According to The Boot Room, the 49ers are in active talks to sign Manor Solomon on a permanent basis from Tottenham Hotspur this summer as they aim to make him their first signing of the summer.

Spurs are reportedly demanding as much as £20m for their winger, amid interest elsewhere from Everton and Marseille, with Leeds willing to offer around £15m. Given that the player reportedly wants to complete a return to Elland Road, it remains to be seen just how much of a problem that difference in valuation proves to be.

The old saying says that you should not fall in love with a loan player, but Solomon did almost everything to win the hearts of Leeds fans following a tough start to life in Yorkshire. Ending the campaign with 10 goals – including the one to win the title late on against Plymouth Argyle – signing Solomon should be top of the 49ers’ wishlist.

A player that Kevin de Bruyne described as “excellent” back in September, a swift reunion between Leeds and Solomon is one that makes sense for all parties this summer.

Already thinking about summer reinforcements, Daniel Levy is now reportedly readying a mega £50m+ bid to sign a key attacking addition for Tottenham Hotspur in the coming months.

Tottenham's crucial transfer window

After lingering in the bottom half of the Premier League this season, Tottenham can ill-afford to get things wrong this summer. Whether Ange Postecoglou is still in charge or not, Levy must ensure that there is a squad capable of breaking back into the top six when the next campaign gets underway. Just who arrives with that in mind remains to be seen, however.

Plenty of names have already threatened to steal the headlines on that front though, including the likes of Eric Garcia and Jonathan Tah. Two defensive additions who would hand Postecoglou an instant boost and two signings who would be cost effective, Spurs should push on in pursuit of both this summer.

That said, it may be easier said than done to attract new talent if the Lilywhites fail to win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League in the process. To that end, they’ve already taken one step into the final after a 3-1 first-leg victory over Bodo/Glimt, but may well find themselves squaring off against Manchester United in an all English final.

Postecoglou was quick to reiterate that he has full belief in his side as they look to get the job done against Bodo/Glimt next week, telling reporters in midweek: “It is not about feeling calm, like I said you just get belief (from the performance). I get that Bodo away is a difficult fixture, but so was Frankfurt away and we went there knowing we had to win to get through and I thought the lads handled it really well.

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“I think in Europe this year we’ve been really good at managing whatever situation we’re in. We’ve had some games where AZ we lost away from home, but had to come back and showed real calm and composure to win to get through here. I think all those experiences give me the belief we can go there and get the job done.”

Levy readying £50m+ bid to sign Semenyo for Tottenham

Away from the action on the pitch, meanwhile, those in North London have already seemingly set their sights on an attacking upgrade. According to reports in Spain, Levy is now readying a bid worth €60m (£52m) to sign Antoine Semenyo for Tottenham this summer following his fantastic season at Bournemouth, a fee which ‘would be enough to convince his current club’ to sell.

At 25 years old, unlike Heung-min Son, Semenyo is at the peak of his powers and could take the Spurs captain’s place with the report saying he is seen as a player perfect for Spurs and Postecoglou, given his physical strength, ability in the press and output of 11 goals and seven assists this season.

Praised for his “powerful ambipedal ball striking” by analyst Ben Mattinson, Semenyo has certainly earned a move this summer and Spurs could offer him exactly that.

Liverpool are cruising toward the Premier League title, with a variety of scenarios meaning that Arne Slot’s side could have the quest wrapped up before the end of the week.

However, FSG and sporting director Richard Hughes will be hard at work on the transfer front, getting everything in order ahead of the summer window.

Although Liverpool have exceeded expectations this term, there’s a sense that the Reds carry a number of weaknesses that need to be ironed out ahead of Slot’s second season at the helm, with Mohamed Salah the architect of most of Liverpool’s success in and around the final third.

His contract has been renewed, but the 32-year-old’s form has also dipped, and it’s clear that work needs to be done in order to bring him back to his A-game ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Mohamed Salah's dip in form

Salah has gone six games without a goal in all competitions, with his performances in particular against Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United drawing criticism from some onlookers.

However, it’s hardly surprising that he’s plateaued of late, having carried the weight of a multi-title-challenging football club on his back for the lion’s share of the season.

Salah, for what it’s worth, has posted 32 goals and 23 assists across all competitions this season, with Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher saying he’s “one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen in the Premier League.”

And anyway, it’s not as if he’s been dismal of late. As per Sofascore, the 32-year-old has created seven big chances since last scoring in the Premier League four games ago, hitting the woodwork twice during the recent victory over Leicester.

Salah remains head and shoulders ahead of his goalscoring rivals in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot, even though it’s been four fixtures since he last made the net bulge.

1.

Mohamed Salah

33

27

2.

Erling Haaland

28

21

2=

Alexander Isak

30

21

4.

Chris Wood

30

18

4=

Bryan Mbeumo

33

18

His Liverpool teammates haven’t been the most helpful in front of goal, with FSG set to bring in some fresh firepower this summer.

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Set to win the English title, Liverpool are gearing up to aim big, with one of Europe’s foremost players on the club’s radar.

Liverpool learn conditions for world-class forward

According to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Liverpool have learned that they could potentially sign Raphinha this summer, with financially-troubled Barcelona not against selling their most valuable asset.

With a vested long-term interest in the winger, Arsenal and Chelsea are both keen too and intermediaries have informed Premier League suitors that he could be available for around an £80m transfer fee.

Raphinha, 28, has indeed been one of the best players in the world this season and would significantly strengthen Liverpool’s robust attacking line, perhaps even restoring Salah to his absolute best.

Why Liverpool should sign Raphinha

If the money is indeed there to be spent on a rising sensation such as Raphinha, it feels like something of a no-brainer for a Liverpool side that will be desperate to consolidate its place at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool have dipped in form and fluency over the past several months, with Slot unwilling to utilise his wider first-team squad with the rotation that perhaps some fans have hoped for. But with a player like Raphinha, Liverpool’s frontline would only go from strength to strength, actually restoring talisman Salah to full strength.

Like Salah, Raphinha has adjusted his tactical approach to suit his burgeoning prolific ability. There’s no denying he’s a high-level athlete, with a powerful gait and fleet-footedness that once led his former Leeds United teammate Dan James to hail him as a “magician” of a footballer.

On that note, Raphinha is also Prem-proven, which is always a bonus. Littered with flops is the road toward superstardom on English shores.

But he’s never played as well as he is right now, within Hansi Flick’s attack-centric La Blaugrana set-up.

As per FBref, the Brazilian ranks among the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goal contributions and the top 9% for shot-creating actions per 90, perfectly illustrating his newfound place among the game’s top brass.

There’s also the matter of Raphinha’s Champions League campaign. With 12 goals and seven assists from 12 matches on the continental front, it’s clear why he’s among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or, something Liverpool fans will hold onto hopes that Salah will claim.

But with Barca challenging for a treble, there’s every chance that “Europe’s best player in 2024/25,” as he has been called by Sky Sports’ Dougie Critchley, will swipe the crown.

Hypothetically, if Slot could succeed in capturing and preserving Raphinha’s ridiculous output, unleashing it on the left flank at Liverpool, then there’s no telling how dynamic and deadly his title-defending frontline might be next season.

Right winger

70

19

21

0.57

Left winger

54

30

20

0.93

Attacking midfield

8

1

7

1.00

Central midfield

1

0

0

0.00

Such a balanced attacking force could be exactly what Salah needs to stay firing next season, with the in-form Luis Diaz potentially playing in a centre-forward role to accommodate both players.

Salah’s multi-dimensional output would only be reinforced by Raphinha’s arrival, and even though £80m would make him one of the most expensive players in the club’s history, it’s something FSG will want to consider.

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1 ByAngus Sinclair Apr 20, 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.

Romero’s game in numbers
Minutes	97′
Expected Goals	0.15
Expected Assists	0.29
Clearances	10
Blocked Shots	1
Interceptions	4
Tackles	2
Dribbled Past	0
Ground Duels (Won)	6 (5)
Aerial Duels (Won)	6 (4)
Lost Possession	7
Touches	71
Fouls Won	1
Key Passes	1
Big Chances Created	1
Dribbles (Successful)	2 (2)
All Stats via Sofascore

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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2

By
Ethan Lamb

Apr 18, 2025

As Manchester United prepare to head into the defining game of their season on Wednesday night, a key dilemma for manager Ruben Amorim to contemplate is the centre-forward berth, amid the continued woes of young Rasmus Hojlund.

Despite showcasing flickers of life with goals against Bournemouth and Athletic Club in recent weeks, the 22-year-old has still scored just ten goals in all competitions this season, with just four of those coming in the Premier League.

The Europa League – or European competition in general – has been a welcome solace for the Dane following his £64m switch in 2023, although even his 11 goals on the continent to date should not cloud Amorim’s judgement considering the wretched campaign that the former Atalanta man has endured.

Against Chelsea on Friday night, for instance, the struggling striker won just two of 11 duels and lost the ball on 13 occasions, with there a very real debate to be had over whether the former Sporting CP boss can find a wildcard solution to replace the club’s number nine in Bilbao.

As for the long-term, meanwhile, Hojlund’s woes have indicated that signing an upgrade is essential this summer. On the evidence of recent reports, that work has already begin, amid the speculation surrounding Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.

Latest on Man Utd's interest in Liam Delap

While a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers man Matheus Cunha appears to be edging ever closer to an agreement, the suggestion is that United are also looking to raid the Premier League for young Delap, following an encouraging first campaign in the top-flight.

Despite playing his part in a side that has slipped back into the Championship under Kieran McKenna, the 22-year-old has still managed to rack up 12 league goals thus far, with no player back at Old Trafford even reaching double figures, by contrast.

Reportedly available for just £30m this summer amid the presence of a relegation clause in his contract, the England U21 star represents an affordable option ahead of next term, with The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell outlining that talks have already been held with the player regarding a move.

As per Whitwell, however, the Red Devils are set to face competition from the likes of Chelsea, with Delap set to engage in negotiations with a number of suitors before making his decision.

The suggestion is that the club could afford to sign both Cunha and the former Manchester City starlet, even if Champions League qualification is not secured. That said, might it be worth stretching the budget just a little further?

Man Utd chasing Delap alternative

Having signed Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in successive summers, the decision to plump for another young striker like Delap could prove another mistake for those at Old Trafford, with the club simply needing to get it right in the centre-forward department.

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According to reports in Spain, the Red Devils are seemingly in the mix for a prolific alternative, amid claims that they are among the Premier League clubs to have made an approach for Sporting sensation, Viktor Gyokeres.

As per the report, while it is Arsenal who remain in the ‘best position’ to sign the 26-year-old, United are said to have emerged as a ‘strong competitor’ of late, amid the forward’s prior relationship with Amorim.

The suggestion is that the former Coventry City man will end up back in England this summer, with Fabrizio Romano having outlined in recent days that he could be available for around €65m (£55m),

That extra £25m, in relation to Delap, would prove worth the investment for a player who could prove to be the next Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Why Gyokeres could be the new Van Nistelrooy

It is not too difficult to argue that not since the days of Van Nistelrooy have United truly had a reliable goalscoring presence at the club, with the clinical Dutchman chalking up 150 goals in 219 games in all competitions, including 95 in just 150 Premier League outings.

Signed from PSV Eindhoven in 2001 for a then British-record fee of around £19m, having seen a deal collapse a year earlier due to injury, the beloved striker hit the ground running in a United shirt, having scored twice on debut against Fulham.

In truth, the then-24-year-old had picked up where he left off in his homeland, having netted 77 times in just 90 games for PSV, after previous stints with Den Bosch and Heerenveen.

Any fears over whether he could cut it in English football were swiftly eased, with Van Nistelrooy proving that a goalscorer of that ilk can deliver the goods wherever they are plying their trade.

Hopefully, the same can be true of Gyokeres, with the “ball-striking monster” – as hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson – enjoying a similar record to what Ruud recorded at PSV, having netted 96 times in just 101 appearances in Lisbon.

Viktor Gyokeres’ record for Sporting CP

2024/25

Competition

Games

Goals

Assists

Liga Portugal

33

39

8

Taca de Portugal

6

4

3

Champions League

8

6

0

Allianz Cup

3

4

0

Supertaca

1

0

2

2023/24

Competition

Games

Goals

Assists

Liga Portugal

33

29

9

Taca de Portugal

6

6

4

Europa League

9

5

2

Allianz Cup

2

3

0

Stats via Transfermarkt

Like Van Nistrelrooy too – who provided 20 assists in Eindhoven, as per Transfermarkt – the former Coventry hero can also create chances for others too when leading the line, having chipped in with 28 assists of his own.

In essence, Gyokeres is the complete striker, possessing that ability to lead the line on his own in impressive fashion, much like Van Nistelrooy was able to do in Sir Alex Ferguson’s 4-5-1 formation in the early 2000s.

The “hottest striker in Europe” right now, as per ESPN’s Mark Ogden, the one-time Brighton and Hove Albion asset is in simply blistering form. A reunion with Amorim could represent the dream alternative to chasing Delap, even if it comes at a greater cost.

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An “unbelievable” Premier League star is now emerging as a key summer target for David Moyes and Everton, according to a report.

Moyes eyeing major summer rebuild

Much to the fans’ dismay, the Toffees have regularly been drawn into relegation battles over the past few years, narrowly avoiding the drop under the helm of Frank Lampard, before being led to safety by Sean Dyche the following season.

Dyche was ultimately dimissed earlier in the current campaign, with Moyes being brought in to steady the ship ahead of the move to Bramley-Moore Dock this summer, which marks the start of an exciting new era for the Blues.

The hope will be the move to the new stadium will give Moyes a platform to turn the Merseyside club back into European contenders, but for that to transpire, the manager may need to reshape his squad in the summer window.

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With Abdoulaye Doucoure, Idrissa Gueye and Orel Mangala currently set to depart, new options may be needed in central midfield, with Angel Gomes and Sean Longstaff of interest, while Tim Kleindienst could replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin at striker.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, Moyes is also looking to upgrade his defensive options this summer, with Manchester City centre-back John Stones now emerging as one of Everton’s key targets.

Stones, who left the Toffees to join Man City for £47.5m in 2016, was initially brought to Goodison Park by Moyes as a youngster, and the manager is now eyeing a summer reunion, with just 12 points remaining on the defender’s current deal.

Injuries have been a real problem for the former Barnsley man, and a move back to Merseyside could be an attractive proposition, should the Blues be willing to offer him the security of a long-term deal.

"Unbelievable" Stones could be marquee signing

There will be some justified concerns about the 30-year-old’s injury record, having been limited to just 11 appearances in the Premier League this season, but should he manage to stay fit, the City defender could be a marquee signing for Everton.

While game time has been limited, the Englishman has managed to impress when given the opportunity over the past year, particularly impressing in an attacking sense, ranking in the top 1% for goals and assists per 90, when compared to other centre-backs.

Statistic

Average per 90

Non penalty-goals

0.30 (99th percentile)

Assists

0.20 (99th percentile)

Progressive carries

2.07 (99th percentile)

Pass completion %

93.9% (98th percentile)

Not only that, but the ex-Everton man received very high praise from teammate Manuel Akanji after a top performance in the Champions League final against Inter Milan, with the Swiss defender lauding him as “unbelievable”.

The report makes it clear that Moyes is looking to build a squad capable of competing in the upper echelons of the table next season, and given his top-level experience, Stones could be an ideal addition.

Stood on the side of the pitch after Arsenal’s 1-0 win on Sunday, Mikel Arteta issued a rallying cry.

Hopefully the people upstairs do their job, he essentially pleaded, urging the Kroenke’s to put their money where their mouth is and give the Gunners the tools to finally win the Premier League again after 20 long years. It was rather telling.

Josh Kroenke, Stan’s son, does at least seem on board, acknowledging in his programme notes for the Newcastle game that “investment” will be made to improve the playing squad.

Time will tell, of course, but there’s a lot to do this summer. That includes signing a striker, a winger, a new back-up goalkeeper and a midfielder too.

Proceedings look set to begin with the arrival of Martin Zubimendi.

Why Arsenal are signing Martin Zubimendi

Back in January reports emerged that Arsenal were working on a deal to bring the Real Sociedad midfielder to the Emirates Stadium.

After signing Mikel Merino from La Real last summer, the relationship between the two is clearly civil and that’s shone through here.

Still, it’s a surprise that the Spaniard has chosen Arsenal as his next destination. After all, it was Premier League title winners, Liverpool, who fought so hard to bring him to England a year ago.

Zubimendi reportedly turned down the Reds’ advances and despite interest from Real Madrid too, the Gunners look set to win the race.

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

So, why are they signing him? Well, there’s two principal reasons; Thomas Partey and Jorginho are out of contract at the end of the season. The second is that Zubimendi is rather good at football and the third involves Declan Rice.

With Partey and Jorginho leaving it means Arsenal need a no.6 and in the Sociedad star, they will be signing one of the best in that position in the world.

In the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson, the Spaniard’s “ball temperament is better” than Partey’s, meaning that a combination of Zubimendi and Rice “could be special.”

The Spain international will never be someone to gallivant forward. He only ranks in the worst 14% of midfielders in LaLiga for shot-creating actions and the worst 44% for goals.

What he does do well is sit, dictate and evade the press. Zubimendi sits inside the top 20% in Spain’s top-flight for progressive passes, the best 9% for dribblers tackled and the best 13% for interceptions, rubber stamping his credentials to play at the base of Arsenal’s midfield.

As a consequence, it would free Rice up to play as an 8 on a more regular basis. As we saw during two Man of the Match displays against Real Madrid where he ran the show, he’s really rather good at that.

Yet, Arsenal did actually already have their own Zubimendi.

Arsenal’s very own Zubimendi is set to leave

This is due to be a summer of change in N5 with a batch of players hopefully set to be welcomed to the Emirates and another crop saying their farewells.

On Sunday, we saw Kieran Tierney given one final run out at Arsenal’s home stadium and it’s also likely to have been Jorginho’s final match in the club’s colours.

Indeed, having been brought on as a very late substitute and handed the captain’s armband, it looked like a goodbye from the Italian who is on the verge of moving to Brazil.

Jorginho’s £110k-per-week contract will soon expire and consequently, he has now “sealed” a deal to join Flamengo in time for the Club World Cup according to Fabrizio Romano.

The former Chelsea midfielder has enjoyed a great time of it at Arsenal. Initially the fanbase couldn’t get their heads around why they were signing him but he quickly proved everyone wrong. He’s one of the most consistent and reliable players we’ve seen at the Emirates during its near two decades of existence.

A tempo setter, few have been better in that regard over the last few years. Indeed, during 2022/23, only Rodri made more passes (2,831) in the Premier League than Jorginho (2,404) when compared to Moises Caicedo, Casemiro, Bruno Guimaraes and Declan Rice.

1. Rodri

2,831

2. Jorginho

2,404

3. Moises Caicedo

2,130

4. Declan Rice

1,974

5. Bruno Guimaraes

1,578

6. Casemiro

1,353

At dictating play, Jorginho is one of the best we’ve seen in recent years in the English top-flight.

It’s for that reason that similarities to Zubimendi emerge. Described as an “elite tempo controller” by the aforementioned Mattinson he’s already suggested that the Spain star is a “deep-lying playmaker like Jorginho”.

As a result, there really does feel like there is no one better suited in Europe’s top leagues for replacing the qualities that the Champions League and Euros winner brought so successfully to Arsenal for a couple of years.

It’s reported that Zubimendi will cost around £51m to bring to England but that certainly feels like money well spent. Arsenal need a midfielder and they need someone to give Rice more freedom in attack. This is the signing that allows that to happen.

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