All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Manchester United have had a busy summer, bringing in players like Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Bryan Mbeumo to ensure that the team doesn’t suffer from the same inability to score goals that they did last season.

Despite this extensive business, Ruben Amorim still has positions he wants to fill, including a defensive midfielder. Currently, the team has Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro to fill these roles, but there have been question marks over Ugarte and Casemiro, and Mainoo and Fernandes’ best qualities are mainly shown in attack.

There had been reports suggesting that youngster Toby Collyer could make the step up and fill this role, but he has since been loaned out to West Bromwich Albion. Over the recent weeks, United have been heavily linked with Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, but the south coast side’s asking price exceeded £100 million, which put the Colombian out of their budget.

With previous pursuits turning fruitless, Amorim has turned his attention away from the Premier League and back towards the Portuguese Primeira Liga as he considers reuniting with one of his former players.

Man Utd and Amorim target Hjulmand keen on move

Manchester United are considering signing Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand. The 26-year-old Denmark star was signed by Amorim from Lecce in 2023, and the club now see him as a potential solution to their midfield woes.

Fabrizio Romano spoke about the interest on his YouTube channel, via Stretty News, saying “he’s a player who has always been appreciated by Amorim”. He went on to reveal that this interest is mutual and that “Hjulmand will be interested in a move to Manchester United”. Amorim loved him at Sporting, and he played him on 65 occasions.

It’s currently uncertain how much of their transfer budget Manchester United has left. Reports from The Athletic have indicated that United may have opened another Rotating Credit Facility in order to finance more deals this summer. It also looks likely that United will receive money from the sale of the remaining members of the so-called “Bomb Squad” (Antony, Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho), which can help them facilitate a move for Hjulmand.

The defensive midfielder currently has a release clause of £68 million, so unless United can negotiate Sporting down, they’ll once again have to spend big.

Hjulmand is an expensive gamble

While things look positive between two of the three parties, the sticking point in this deal will be Sporting Lisbon. The club have already sold Viktor Gyokeres, Marcus Edwards and Dário Essugo to Premier League clubs this summer, and Romano has expressed their reluctance to let go of any more of their first-teamers.

However, as Hjulmand has the previously mentioned release clause, United could go straight into negotiations with the player and circumvent Sporting if they were willing to pay the £68 million. Amorim’s system involves playing out from the back, and United need players who are both capable of contributing defensively and connecting the defence to the attack.

While Hjulmand will likely be able to contribute defensively, the stats indicate that he won’t do much in the way of connecting the team. Last season, he registered in the 19th percentile for progressive carries and the 13th percentile for key passes, meaning he would be a very similar profile signing to Ugarte.

The alternatives for United is that they try to find a new midfielder, or they wait to sign Hjulmand next summer, when they’ll have a better chance of negotiating Sporting down from his release clause price. However, this would mean another season without midfield reinforcements, which could create major issues for United on the pitch.

Liverpool are less than one week away from returning to action. On Sunday, Arne Slot’s side will commence the 2025/26 campaign against Crystal Palace at Wembley for the Community Shield.

The season’s curtain-raiser counts for very little, but it does provide a chance for Liverpool to set the tone for the term, and for the fans to see some of the new signings in a competitive showing for the first time.

Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s record signing at £100m (which will rise to a British-record £116m with add-ons), is sure to have a few eyes on him, while Hugo Ekitike may well start up top with Luis Diaz sold to Bayern Munich and Darwin Nunez anticipated to sign for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.

But it’s not only the Redman that fans will be eager to see in action. Indeed, one subplot on the afternoon will be the performance of Marc Guehi, with the Premier League champions having a vested interest in the central defender.

Why Liverpool want Marc Guehi

Last month, Liverpool allowed Jarell Quansah to leave for Bayer Leverkusen in a £35m deal. The 21-year-old was one of the club’s own, but he never found his footing in Slot’s system, and leaving was for the good of his career.

However, his departure has heightened the need to bring a refined talent like Guehi in.

The 24-year-old has become a regular for the Three Lions over the past year, and Liverpool have made it clear to Palace that they want to get a deal done this summer, with Guehi having entered the final year of his contract.

However, Newcastle United are also keen, with it having been reported that they are eager to snap him up after failed bids in 2024. Palace are holding out for £50m, a figure that the Anfield side are unwilling to pay.

However, news has broken that the Magpies are setting their sights on AC Milan centre-back Malick Thiaw, which might have something to say on their pursuit of Guehi.

Guehi would be the dream for Slot’s side, but there’s no certainty that he will join Liverpool or even leave Selhurst Park this summer. If sporting director Richard Hughes fails to get this one over the line, an alternative option has at least been lined up.

Liverpool lining up Marc Guehi alternative

As per GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool are monitoring Brentford centre-back Nathan Collins as Hughes continues to quest for more defensive depth ahead of the new season.

However, the Bees won’t want to engage in talks with suitors as they prepare for life without Thomas Frank at the helm. Brentford signed Collins, now 24, from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a £23m fee in 2023.

Though Brentford want to keep their star defender, we’ve seen how Liverpool making their interest known can entice players, and this is certainly one to keep an eye on, should Guehi remain away from Anfield this summer.

Why Liverpool want to sign Nathan Collins

Republic of Ireland skipper Collins has made 77 appearances across all competitions for Brentford since joining them two years ago, scoring four goals and providing six assists.

Last season in the Premier League, he was the only outfield player in the division to have played every single minute of the term.

Considered by those within Brentford circles to have gone under the radar at the Gtech Community Stadium, Collins is a “high-quality centre-back”, as has been said by talent scout Jacek Kulig, with an even distribution of tough-tackling impetus and steady creative passing.

Hailed by journalist Sam Tabuteau for being a “future leader”, Collins would bring the perfect blend of defensive ability on the field and an influential presence on the training ground to ensure that Liverpool maintain their levels across all four fronts last term.

And with this in mind, he might even serve as Slot’s dream alternative to Guehi, who has been described as “England’s best centre-back” by one online analyst.

Matches (starts)

34 (34)

38 (38)

Goals

3

2

Assists

2

3

Touches*

64.9

65.7

Pass completion

84%

86%

Big chances

5

3

Key passes*

0.5

0.3

Ball recoveries*

4.3

4.3

Dribbles*

0.4

0.3

Tackles + interceptions*

2.6

2.0

Clearances*

4.6

5.8

Duels (won)*

4.9 (59%)

5.1 (61%)

Errors made

2

3

Curiously, Guehi and Collins ranked up rather similarly in the Premier League last season, both proactive and hardy players with plenty of energy and a knack for organising teammates besides.

As per FBref, Collins ranked among the top 4% of centre-backs in the Premier League last year for assists, the top 3% for blocks, and the top 11% for aerial duels won per 90. This array of ball-playing and steely defensive qualities has actually seen Guehi listed as the Brentford man’s most statistically similar player.

With all this in mind, it’s clear that Hughes and the Anfield data analysts are targeting a specific defensive profile, and that Collins could be an astute alternative, should Palace remain firm on their £50m valuation.

He has, after all, proven himself capable against Liverpool’s frontline at their rip-roaring best, once winning 100% of his duels at Anfield while playing for Wolves.

It’s this kind of big-game mentality and willingness to step up in the face of adversity which differentiates Collins from the lion’s share of Premier League defenders; and which, indeed, led Frank to field him for every single minute of the recent campaign.

It’s a mindset Guehi wears on his sleeve, so commanding in the way he plays, but he’s not the only talented defender in the division, and Liverpool could hit the jackpot by signing Collins instead.

Liverpool clearly want to sign Guehi above all other targets on the shortlist, but if they fail to secure their quarry, Collins has exactly what Liverpool and Slot are looking for.

Imagine him & Ngumoha: Liverpool enter race for "outrageous" £56m striker

Liverpool are hoping to sign a new centre-forward in the transfer market this month.

ByAngus Sinclair Aug 5, 2025

After years of inconsistency, Manchester United find themselves back in the market for a reliable defensive midfield presence.

The Casemiro experiment, while initially promising, has faltered.

The Brazilian’s declining mobility and positional indiscipline have left United exposed against high-intensity opposition.

In 2023/24, Casemiro ranked among the Premier League’s worst for tackles and interceptions per 90 among defensive midfielders.

His struggle to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, combined with United’s chaotic structure, has led to criticism from pundits and supporters alike.

Now approaching 34, his time at the top level is running out.

United’s recruitment strategy under new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe is shifting toward more structured, long-term planning.

One target under close consideration fits that profile, and while he may not possess the same elegance or influence as Manchester City’s Rodri, the parallels between them suggest he could become United’s answer to their rival’s midfield metronome.

Man United looking at signing new defensive monster

João Palhinha may not possess the same quality as Rodri, but few midfielders in Europe are more adept at the dark arts of defending.

The 30-year-old Portuguese has built a reputation as one of the continent’s best destroyers, a player capable of stopping attacks, dominating duels, and providing structural discipline in front of the backline.

Labelled a “defensive monster” by recruitment analyst Marcus Bring, Palhinha first caught the Premier League’s attention during several successful campaigns with Fulham.

His blend of controlled aggression, timing in the tackle, and elite aerial strength quickly earned admirers across the continent.

After a €50m (£43m) move to Bayern Munich in 2024, things haven’t quite clicked. He played just 25 games in all competitions last season, only ten of which were starts, and has struggled to fit into Vincent Kompany’s plans.

With Bayern aiming to cut their losses, Portuguese outlet O Jogo reports that both Tottenham and Manchester United are monitoring his situation, with Spurs the only club to open formal negotiations.

Still, for the right system, Palhinha remains a force of nature.

How Palhinha compares to Rodri

According to data from FBref, across the last 365 days in the top five European leagues, Palhinha ranks in the 93rd percentile for tackles per 90 (3.19), the 96th for aerial duels won (2.34), and the 97th for pass completion (92.4%).

Bayern Munich's Joao Palhinha competes for possession.

His numbers show a player who is not only a defensive disruptor but also safe and smart with the ball.

Where Palhinha particularly excels is in winning duels and preventing counterattacks.

He successfully tackles 67.8% of dribblers he faces, compared to Rodri’s 48.3%, highlighting his superior one-on-one defensive ability.

He also makes 1.90 blocks per 90, almost double that of Rodri (0.98), and wins 5.07 tackles per 90, more than twice Rodri’s average of 2.15.

Yes, Rodri is the superior all-rounder; his vision, ball progression, and tempo-setting abilities are unrivalled in England.

Rodri Pep Guardiola Manchester City

He dominates games with his positioning and intelligence, often dictating possession for a Manchester City side that sees upwards of 60% of the ball in most matches.

But Palhinha operates in a different context. At Fulham, he was regularly facing wave after wave of pressure, tasked with breaking up play, covering space in transition, and dealing with long periods without possession.

He was forced to defend far more often and far more urgently than Rodri. Yet he still maintained an elite-level pass completion rate and positional discipline.

For United, he’s far more suited to Premier League intensity than Casemiro has proven to be in the last 12 months.

At 30, he offers experience and leadership, but also still has the engine to cover ground and the sharpness to dominate aerially.

United’s interest also makes particular sense when considering Rúben Amorim, who coached Palhinha at Sporting CP.

Crucially, Palhinha would also give United’s new attacking signings, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, the freedom to operate higher up the pitch, knowing that the base of midfield is secured.

He wouldn’t necessarily be tasked with orchestrating the build-up play or dictating tempo, but rather providing the solid platform others can build from, the same role Rodri played in his early City years, before evolving into a deeper playmaker.

He may not be Rodri. Few are. But if United want their own version, a player who can quietly and consistently protect the backline, win the midfield battles, and bring much-needed control – then Palhinha is the closest they’ve come in years.

He'd be amazing with Cunha: Man Utd to discuss deal to sign £60m "monster"

Manchester United are reportedly considering a move to sign a star who would be amazing with Matheus Cunha.

ByDan Emery Jul 28, 2025

It wouldn’t be over the top to suggest that next season is Mikel Arteta’s most important since taking charge of Arsenal in 2019.

The Spaniard has helped to utterly transform the club since he was appointed, but after three second-placed Premier League finishes in a row, the expectation from many is that he will finally lead the team to glory next year.

Fortunately, the board and sporting director Andrea Berta seem intent on giving him the tools to do so this summer, with the likes of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard already through the door, and a deal for Viktor Gyokeres in the works.

Furthermore, the links to Eberechi Eze continue to heat up, and now it looks like the Gunners are looking at someone who’d be the midfielder’s dream forward.

Arsenal target Eze's perfect forward

Eze has long been a player on Arsenal’s radar, as stories linking him with a return to the club that released him as a child started to pop up as far back as last summer.

Transfer Focus

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

However, it’s really been in the last couple of weeks that the reports have become far more serious.

It now looks like the 27-year-old, who has a £68m release clause in his contract, has agreed personal terms with the Gunners and that talks between the two clubs are ongoing.

The Englishman would be an expensive but exciting addition to Arteta’s side, and now it looks like Berta and co are interested in adding another attacker who’d be his perfect forward: Ademola Lookman.

Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several sides interested in the Atalanta star this summer.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, West Ham United and Napoli are all keen on the Nigerian international.

On top of having to deal with the competition, the Premier League runners-up will have to stump up a fee of around £50m for the former Everton ace.

It’s a lot of money to spend on another attacking player, but Lookman has been incredible for several years now, and would be a dream forward signing for Eze.

Why Lookman would be a dream forward for Eze

There are several reasons why Lookman could end up being a dream teammate for Eze at Arsenal, but the first and most crucial is unsurprisingly related to his output.

While the former Everton and Fulham ace struggled to show how good he really was during his time in England, he has had no such trouble since making his way to Italy.

Across his 118 games for the Bergamo outfit, totalling 7538 minutes, the “world-class” attacker has scored 52 goals and provided 25 assists.

Appearances

33

45

40

Minutes

1858′

2809′

2871′

Goals

15

17

20

Assists

8

10

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.69

0.60

0.67

Minutes per Goal Involvement

80.78′

104.03′

106.33

In other words, the 29-capped international has averaged a goal involvement every 1.53 games or every 97.89 minutes since joining the Serie A side.

Just imagine the numbers the Palace ace could produce playing behind or alongside someone as dangerous as the Wandsworth-born star.

That brings us to the second reason the former RB Leipzig ace would be a great teammate: his positional versatility.

Due to the 27-year-old’s ability to play across the entire frontline, there will be plenty of minutes available to him at the Emirates next season, and as such, he’d have plenty of time to form a real connection with Eze and learn his game.

Moreover, he’s also able to play in attacking midfield and could therefore offer cover for the Englishman and make sure he is not overplayed.

Finally, Lookman has also proven to be a big game player, someone who can get his team over the line all by himself and is totally unfazed by the big occasion.

You only need to look at the 2024 Europa League final to see this, as he scored a hat-trick and won the final for Atlanta despite them being the clear underdogs.

With one of Eze’s motivations for joining the Gunners likely being the chance to win the biggest competitions, this is especially important.

Ultimately, Arteta and Co need to improve Arsenal’s attacking options ahead of next season, and signing both the Palace and Atalanta stars would be an excellent way to do that.

Saka's dream CAM: Arsenal submit bid for £45m superstar & it's not Madueke

The experienced international could be a game-changer for Arsenal and Bukayo Saka.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 10, 2025

Ryan Mason currently has his West Bromwich Albion troops out at a pre-season camp in Austria ahead of the new Championship campaign getting underway next month.

A behind-closed-doors friendly match will take place between the Baggies and Dynamo Kyiv this coming Friday to officially get the second-tier side’s pre-season up and running, with Mason perhaps selecting brand-new £4.7m buy Aune Heggebo from the get-go to see what he’s made of in attack.

Mikey Johnston will also be linking up with the pre-season camp shortly, although this isn’t the planned-out route the ex-Celtic winger would have envisaged for himself this summer, as a move to Brazilian giants Flamengo, unfortunately, collapsed at the final hour.

The lowdown on Johnston's failed move to Flamengo

It was a deal that suddenly arrived from left field, but it had been reported that Johnston was going to move out to South America for a fee around the £5m region.

It’s stated that a move fell through – according to reports from Brazil – over concerns emerging over the Republic of Ireland international’s long-term availability fitness-wise, with Johnston prone to significant time out of the Baggies side through injury.

This will have come as a devastating blow to Johnston, considering it was rumoured that the 26-year-old was in line to earn a whopping £1.2m a year at his new Rio De Janeiro home, as opposed to banking £650k a year at the Hawthorns.

It remains to be seen whether the 5-foot-9 winger will be content with staying put at the Championship side after such an ordeal, with the potential loss of Johnston obviously hurting Mason and Co. after he fired home a promising three strikes in league action last season, even as West Brom’s promotion push fell to the wayside.

However, not all hope will be lost if Johnston does move on to another suitor down the line, especially if Mason can flex his past Tottenham Hotspur connections to land this rising North London talent to replace the outgoing Irishman.

Mason's dream Johnston replacement

West Brom has been a hotbed for some exciting, young talent from the Premier League in the not-so-distant past, with Romelu Lukaku once calling the Hawthorns his temporary sanctuary on loan away from parent side Chelsea.

Mikey Moore could be the next future star that gets his senior career up and running in style in the West Midlands, with reports last month speculating that the 17-year-old Spurs prodigy is being looked at by the new Baggies boss, having worked with the teenage sensation when coaching at the Premier League side.

He has already made a splash in the senior side at Thomas Frank’s men, with this sublime solo strike in Europa League action kickstarting his men’s career at Spurs, but he will be desperate for more long-standing first-team opportunities if a move to the Hawthorns is finalised.

Moore might well be ready to take over from Johnston down the left wing if given the chance to do so, with the 17-year-old’s main skills resting on his ability to play across a wide array of attacking positions – away from his blistering powers of picking up goals and assists for fun – including down the ex-Celtic man’s trusty left-hand side.

LW

18

4

6

AM

8

6

4

CF

7

11

4

RW

6

1

0

Indeed, when looking at the above table, it’s clear that Moore can shine all across the attacking positions. But, his preferred position does look to be on the left wing, with a stunning four goals and six assists coming his way here from 18 outings in the English capital.

Therefore, any gaping hole left behind by Johnston down the line could be effectively filled in by the “future superstar”, as he’s been referred to by football analyst Ben Mattinson previously.

After all, he has also been donned as “fearless” by Spurs teammate James Maddison recently, meaning he could take to the pressures of being one of West Brom’s main options here in his stride, with the troubling issue of Johnston wanting to move on resolved by this promising loan capture.

The new Brunt: West Brom eyeing EFL star with 119 Championship appearances

West Bromwich Albion could sign their next Chris Brunt by picking up this phenomenal EFL performer.

ByKelan Sarson Jul 7, 2025

Manchester United are in the market for talent with the hunger to improve their squad and could look to an England Under-21 international amid his reported affordability this summer.

Manchester United hard at work on summer signings

With Matheus Cunha already through the door at Old Trafford, Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo could be next on the list for the Red Devils as Ruben Amorim looks to sharpen his blunt attack ahead of the new campaign.

However, there could also be movement down the other end of the pitch, with former scout Mick Brown hinting that Manchester United will step up their transfer pursuit of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on the assumption that they are able to sell Andre Onana.

He stated: “Man United have made it clear they would like to sign Martinez. They’ll take whatever they can get for Onana, and then they’ll make contact with Aston Villa and see if they can get a deal over the line.

“He’s seen as a huge upgrade on Onana so they’re prepared to take a hit to get things moving. If Man United could swap Onana for Martinez tomorrow, they’d jump at it. Martinez is in his 30s now, but he’s a very capable goalkeeper and they’re not concerned about that.“

Atalanta’s Marco Carnasecchi is also in the frame to replace Onana, with the Red Devils prepared to submit a £43 million bid to land the Italy Under-21 international.

Man Utd now negotiating "complex" big-money transfer to sell £200k-p/w star

He wants to leave.

ByTom Cunningham Jun 28, 2025

Despite their poor Premier League position last term, Manchester United have certain pulling power that is hard to ignore for prospective recruits, as witnessed with the likes of Cunha and potentially, Mbeumo.

Now, Amorim will hope to put that to good use amid recent reports associating the Red Devils with a move for a talented English midfielder.

Manchester United discover Hayden Hackney price-tag

According to EFL Analysis, in a conversation with journalist Graeme Bailey, Manchester United have watched Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney Hackney alongside almost every other club in the English top-flight due to his standout displays at the Riverside Stadium.

Providing further insight, Bailey has claimed that the England Under-21 international could be available for as little as £20 million this summer, though there is potential for £25 million being needed before the prospect of a switch could be seriously considered.

“Hayden Hackney obviously does have a lot of interest from some teams in Europe and in England there are a host of clubs who have watched him; there isn’t a single Premier League club who hasn’t watched Hackney,” said Bailey.

“He’s doing well and Middlesbrough will have a price on him. If someone comes in with £20-25m it’ll be very hard for Middlesbrough to turn that down. It’s pure profit. There is an awful lot of interest in him. Obviously he is at the U21 Euros with England now and doing well there. Do I expect Hackney to still be at Boro come September? I’d be surprised at this point if he was still there.

“So yes, I do expect Hackney will go. The likes of Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Man United, and West Ham have watched him.”

Hayden Hackney’s key statistics in 2024/25 – EFL Championship (Fotmob)

Chances created

66

Successful dribbles

39

Touches in opposition penalty area

73

Tackles won

56

Recoveries

281

Hackney – called “exciting” and “one of the finest midfielders outside the Premier League” by pundit Carlton Palmer – registered five goals and three assists in 44 appearances across all competitions last campaign, though was powerless to stop Middlesbrough being unable to make the playoff berths.

Nevertheless, his displays haven’t gone unnoticed, and Manchester United may feel they can bring some youthful exuberance to an ageing engine room should they secure his signature.

Fending off competition from other clubs is always a tough task. However, Amorim’s men have proven they can do that already in the window, so it wouldn’t be a major shock if they were to repeat the trick with Hackney.

Newcastle United and iconic centre-forwards go hand in hand. Both Hughie Gallacher and Jackie Milburn made massive impressions for the club during the first half of the 20th century.

The former helped the Magpies win the First Division title in 1926/27 and scored 143 goals in 174 matches, while the latter scored 200 goals for the club and won three FA Cups during his spell in the north-east.

The 1970s saw Malcolm Macdonald emerge as the next big thing, before Kevin Keegan and Peter Beardsley made their mark during the 80s.

Andy Cole’s spell on Tyneside was short, but boy was it sweet. He netted 68 goals in just 84 matches, but departed for Manchester United after only two years.

Elsewhere, Alan Shearer goes down as the best centre-forward in the club’s history. His ten-year stint with his boyhood team might have finished trophyless, but the Englishman broke Milburn’s scoring record in February 2006.

Supporters of the current generation have Alexander Isak, and what an impression he has made during his three years at Newcastle.

Alexander Isak’s Newcastle record

Eddie Howe made Isak the club’s record signing when he splashed out a staggering £63m to bring the Swedish hitman to the Premier League.

Fast-forward three years and the move is arguably one of the finest in the club’s recent history. Since joining, Isak has registered 73 goal contributions – 62 goals and 11 assists – across just 109 matches.

He may have suffered from injury issues during his first campaign, but ever since, Isak has been a goal machine.

The 25-year-old enjoyed his best season yet during 2024/25. A tally of 27 goals in 42 appearances helped the Toon secure a Champions League place next season.

Furthermore, he also scored in the League Cup final against Liverpool, ending the club’s 70-year major domestic trophy drought. There is no doubt he will go down as one of the finest strikers in the history of the club.

Metric

2022/23

2023/24

2024/25

Goals

10

21

23

Assists

1

2

6

Shots per game

2.3

2.6

2.9

Goal conversion percentage

20%

27%

23%

Key passes per game

0.7

0.9

1.2

Compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Isak ranks in the top 8% for progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90 over the previous 365 days, while also ranking in the top 12% for non-penalty goals during the same period.

These statistics suggest that Isak is one of the best strikers on the continent and the longer Howe can keep hold of him, the better.

Of course, his performances have caught the eye of several teams, Liverpool included. The Anfield side have earmarked the 25-year-old as their number one striker target.

The Magpies are demanding a British record transfer fee of around £150m for the sale of Isak, which Howe will hope puts many teams off.

Regardless if he moves or not, Isak’s form over the previous three seasons places him in the bracket of one of the club’s most impressive signings of recent times.

Might Howe be looking to land the club their biggest signing since with a move for a current Premier League star?

Newcastle's search for a new forward

Despite actively looking to bolster their squad ahead of another campaign filled with European football, Howe hasn’t had much luck in the transfer market thus far.

He has targeted moves for both Anthony Elanga and James Trafford, but deals have yet to materialise for the pair.

One move which may be close to finally being sealed is that of Joao Pedro. According to the Chronicle, Newcastle are now in advanced talks to sign the Brighton and Hove Albion star.

Discussions have been ongoing this week. The Magpies valued Pedro at around the £50m mark, although Brighton are holding out for a fee closer to £60m.

It would be an excellent first signing to make this summer for Howe, especially considering that the Brazilian has plenty of experience in the Premier League and will be ready to hit the ground running.

Dare I say it, but he might be the biggest signing the club have made since Isak.

Why Newcastle must sign Joao Pedro

The Magpies have made some impressive signings since the arrival of Isak in the summer of 2022.

Anthony Gordon joined the club in January 2023, while Sandro Tonali followed that summer. Both have since proven they are excellent signings, but Pedro’s arrival could take the club to new heights.

Since making the move to England more than five years ago, the forward has scored 54 goals and grabbed 18 assists across spells with both Watford and Brighton. For comparison, Gordon had scored just seven goals in 78 games at Everton, prior to making the switch.

In the Premier League, 32 of these goal involvements were recorded, indicating that he will have no problem performing in the top flight under Howe; that much is certain.

When compared to his positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Pedro ranks highly over a range of performance metrics.

Indeed, not only does he rank in the top 12% for assists (0.28) and shot-creating actions (3.33) per 90, but the Brazilian also ranks in the top 4% for progressive passes (3.6) and for progressive carries (3.05) per 90 over the previous 365 days.

These stats prove that while he is a major threat in the opposition penalty box, Pedro is also capable of generating chances for others while successfully getting the ball into dangerous areas.

He was even hailed by commentator Kevin Hatchard for his “magical” ability on the ball, and this is a move that Howe must be desperate to get over the line sooner rather than later.

If so, it will surely give the whole club a major boost. The St James’ Park faithful will hope that once one player has been signed, the rest will follow.

Keeping Isak will be vital if Newcastle want to go far in the Champions League next term, while aiming for another trophy win.

Should an offer too good to turn down arrive, however, Pedro would make for a more than able replacement heading into the 2024/25 campaign.

Self proclaimed "world-class" star has now "agreed" terms to join Newcastle

The Magpies finally look to be getting their man.

2 ByHenry Jackson Jun 27, 2025

Manchester United’s hunt for a new striker this summer has constantly led them back to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, with the Swedish international firmly on their radar.

Ruben Amorim has previously managed the 27-year-old during his stint in Portugal, which has undoubtedly contributed to the rumours around his move to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils would be getting themselves a clinical option if his current goal record is anything to go by, after he registered a total of 54 goals in his 52 club appearances in 2024/25.

However, despite holding talks with the striker’s representatives, he’s currently involved in a dispute with the Liga Portugal side that could scupper any potential reunion with Amorim this summer.

As a result, other targets have been considered, with the manager working tirelessly with the board to secure the additions he needs to turn the current situation around.

The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer

Whilst Matheus Cunha has already secured his move to join United, it’s expected that the Brazilian international is set to operate in a number 10 role behind the striker.

The likes of Dušan Vlahović, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Aleksandar Mitrovic have all been considered for the role, but appear to be backup options given the moves made elsewhere.

In recent days, it’s emerged that the Red Devils have made contact with Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt over a potential move for forward Hugo Ekitiké, according to Sky Germany.

They claim that the French star, who’s scored 22 times across all competitions this campaign, has a €100m (£84m) release clause in his current deal, with Chelsea and Arsenal also interested.

It also states that Amorim’s men have expressed concrete interest over a move for the 22-year-old, but doesn’t mention if they are willing to pay the clause in his current deal.

Why United’s £84m target could be their own Isak

The Premier League has become a brutal division over recent years, with many sides taking advantage of you if you fall below the required standard of England’s top flight.

Alexander Isak is a player who has been the thorn in many teams’ sides over recent seasons, netting a total of 54 Premier League goals in his last three seasons at Newcastle United.

Such form has led to him being one of the most sought-after talismen in Europe, with Eddie Howe’s side placing a £150m price tag on him amid interest from Liverpool and Arsenal.

If any side were to pay such a fee, it would make him the most expensive signing in the history of English football, but United could look to steer clear of any move in favour of a switch for Ekitike.

When comparing his stats to those of Isak from the 2024/25 campaign, the Frankfurt ace has managed to match or better him in numerous key areas – making the £84m fee appear somewhat of a bargain.

He’s been ranked as a similar player to the Swede by FBref, managing to register more shots on target per 90 – leading to talent scout Jacek Kulig labelling the French star as “world-class”.

Ekitike also completed more passes than Isak, whilst completing more of the take-ons he’s attempted, offering Amorim an all-round option in his attempts to take United back to their former glory.

Games played

33

34

Goals & assists

23

29

Progressive carries

3.3

2.7

Shots on target

1.5

1.3

Shots taken

4

3.1

Pass accuracy

76%

74%

Shot-creating actions

3.5

3

Take-ons completed

1.8

1.4

If he can transfer his form from the Bundesliga over to England in the coming months, it would be a deal that could be one of the best in the club’s history – allowing him to cement himself in the club’s history forever.

It may be a deal that will cost the club somewhat of a small fortune this summer, but the key is the limit for the youngster, with such a price tag being worth every penny if he can catapult them up the table in 2025/26.

He'd be amazing with Ekitike: Man Utd "optimistic" of sealing deal for star

Manchester United appear to be edging closer to completing a deal for one top-level talent.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 13, 2025

It is the dawn of a new era for Glasgow Rangers after Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises officially completed a takeover of the club last week.

They have immediately invested £20m into the club and will now oversee the search for the team’s next head coach, after Barry Ferguson stepped away at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The former Scotland international was appointed as the interim boss after Philippe Clement was dismissed in February, and he only won six of his 15 matches in all competitions in the dugout at Ibrox.

Ferguson, whose team was held to a 2-2 draw by Hibernian on the final day of the Scottish Premiership campaign, failed to do enough to convince the board that he was the man for the job moving forward.

The 49ers and new sporting director Kevin Thelwell are now tasked with finding a manager who can bring glory back to Ibrox, after four seasons without a Premiership title.

One of the first items on the agenda for any incoming Rangers head coach should be convincing Nicolas Raskin to remain with the Gers beyond the summer.

Why Nicolas Raskin could leave Rangers

The Belgium international could move on from Ibrox in the summer transfer window, as Premier League clubs Aston Villa and Leeds United are both reportedly interested in the central midfielder.

Raskin has attracted interest from elsewhere due to his impressive performances for the Gers during the 2024/25 campaign, which led to him winning the club’s Men’s Player of the Year and the Men’s Players’ Player of the Year awards.

The 24-year-old star was deemed to be the best player at Ibrox this season and there are now teams who want to test how he would adapt to Premier League football next term.

Rangers, however, should be doing everything in their power to keep hold of the Belgian talent during the summer transfer window, because they will need as much quality as possible to finally beat Celtic to the Premiership title.

The former Standard Liege star is tenacious out of possession, as he averaged 3.4 tackles and interceptions per game and won 57% of his duels in the league this term, but the Light Blues star also provides plenty of quality on the ball.

Appearances

33

Touches per game

68.4

Goals

4

Big chances created

9

Assists

10

Pass accuracy

87%

Dribbles completed per game

1.0

Dribble success rate

68%

As you can see in the table above, Raskin is a player who thrives on the ball with his ability to both score and create goals from a central midfield position, whilst being efficient as a passer and a dribbler.

This suggests that the Belgian star would, therefore, love a manager who is committed to a ball-dominant style of play, which is why he should be pleased with the latest update on the Rangers manager search.

The latest on Russell Martin to Rangers

According to the Daily Mail, former Southampton head coach Russell Martin is one of the ‘main contenders’ to land the vacant managerial position at Ibrox.

The report claims that the former Scotland international, who had a loan spell with Rangers during his playing career, and Davide Ancelotti are the two main contenders for the role.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

It adds that Francesco Farioli, who recently left Ajax, and Brian Priske, most recently of Feyenoord, are also still in the running, but they are not as high up the list as Martin and Ancelotti.

The Daily Mail claims that the ex-Saints head coach was set to fall out of the race for the Rangers job when he was being lined up for the Leicester City position, but they have yet to sack Ruud Van Nistelrooy, so he remains in contention to replace Ferguson at Ibrox.

Appointing Martin as the first head coach of the 49ers era could be good news for supporters who want to see Raskin remain at the club, as the central midfielder could be a perfect fit for the Scottish tactician.

Why Nicolas Raskin would love Russell Martin

Analyst John Walker hailed Martin’s style as “exciting” and “total football”, due to the ball-dominant nature of how he wants his teams to play, and that could suit the Belgium international perfectly.

As aforementioned, Raskin is a technically brilliant footballer who constantly looks to make things happen from a central midfield position, with passes, dribbles, goals, and assists, and he could have plenty of chances to influence games in this manager’s system.

The clip above, from his time at MK Dons, is a flavour of the way Martin’s teams play, with plenty of short passes under pressure and movement off the ball to provide players with multiple passing options at all times.

Raskin would be a perfect fit for the way the ex-Norwich City and Rangers centre-back likes to coach his sides, because of his dynamism off the ball and his quality in possession.

Pass accuracy

87.7%

1st

Passes into the penalty area

594

1st

Progressive passes

2556

1st

Shot-creating actions

1255

1st

xG

79.8

2nd

Points per game

1.89

4th

As you can see in the table above, Martin successfully deployed a possession-based system to get Southampton promoted out of the Championship in the 2023/24 campaign, building a team that was incredibly dominant when it came to passing forward and creating high-quality chances.

These statistics suggest that Raskin, who created nine ‘big chances’ in the Premiership, would thrive in his system as a midfielder who would constantly have chances to dictate play and create even more opportunities for his teammates with the dominance that the style of play creates.

Therefore, the Belgian midfielder could be more inclined to stay at Rangers for another year because of the prospect of thriving in a side coached by Martin, as it could help him to take his game to the next level ahead of a bigger move next year.

49ers not messing: Rangers advancing free transfer to sign 29 y/o defender

He could be the first arrival of the 49ers era.

ByTom Cunningham May 31, 2025

Sunderland supporters have been seriously put through the wringer by their side in recent memory, with League One football even on the menu back in 2019.

But, all that agony and woe surrounding the Black Cats has been finally lifted courtesy of Regis Le Bris’ heroics from the dug-out, as the Frenchman proudly brings Premier League football action back to the Stadium of Light.

The hope will be that Sunderland’s emotional 2-1 win over Sheffield United will keep Jobe Bellingham around for a little while longer, amidst interest from elite sides such as Borussia Dortmund.

But if that is to be Bellingham’s swansong moment, he delivered yet another classy display for his top-flight-bound side from the middle of the park, alongside a whole host of other standout performers.

Sunderland's best performers vs the Blades

Before looking at the other heroes in Le Bris’ camp, Bellingham stood out once again as a key part of the young and promising Sunderland side.

The in-demand number seven would only misplace six of his 55 passes when offering the Black Cats calm through the middle on such a tense stage, whilst also winning six duels to display more grit and fight than an underperforming Sydie Peck for the Blades.

Bellingham wasn’t the only star who managed to show up for the big occasion, however, as Daniel Ballard put in another imperious display defensively when winning his own sizeable duels count of 11, whilst Eliezer Mayenda also shone when levelling the proceedings as a pacey option up top.

But, the main talking point afterwards was Tommy Watson’s last-minute winner, with the homegrown Wearside product capitalising on a lax pass by Kieffer Moore to fire home a stunning effort to seal Sunderland’s progression back up to the big time.

That was one hell of a parting gift from the 19-year-old hotshot, who is set to join Brighton and Hove Albion this summer for £10m.

Indeed, Watson is perhaps the club’s next Jordan Henderson as he goes on to potentially affirm himself as a Premier League regular with the Seagulls.

Why Watson could be Sunderland's next Henderson

Amazingly, Henderson was only one year older than Watson when his big move to Liverpool occurred.

He never looked back after waving goodbye to his boyhood club either, leading to the now Ajax man going on to make 492 appearances for the Reds, alongside winning 83 England caps.

Therefore, Watson will be aiming to follow in Henderson’s footsteps as an equally talented and promising starlet through the middle – albeit one who unfortunately does their best work away from the Stadium of Light.

After all, from only 24 first-team games to date, the 19-year-old is up to three strikes with the best left till last when breaking Blades hearts. To add context, Henderson would only power home two more efforts himself donning Sunderland red and white, even from 55 more outings.

U18s

40

18

7

U21s

31

13

11

First team

24

3

0

The attacker’s blistering numbers for the Black Cats at both an U18 and U21 level also show off a prodigy ready for the bright lights of the Premier League, albeit now without his hometown side.

Still, everyone associated with Sunderland will be overjoyed that it was one of their own that got them back up to the promised land regardless of his next onward route, with Roker Report writer Andy Tomlinson handing out an 8/10 post-match rating to Watson subsequently.

There will be a concern that Watson is only getting started and will be taken to new heights on the South Coast, much like Henderson managed at Anfield.

But, whatever does happen across Watson’s lengthy career to come, he will always have this moment of magic on his resume that took his boyhood employers back up to the Premier League.

Jobe Bellingham holds positive talks to leave Sunderland before play-off final

The Black Cats are desperate to keep hold of him.

1 ByHenry Jackson May 23, 2025