All posts by z3u9t.icu

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.

Games played

38

Goals scored

1

Assists

0

Touches*

65.7

Accurate passes*

45.2 (87%)

Ball recoveries*

3.6

Clearances*

6.1

Total duels won*

4.9

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.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 8, 2025

Aston Villa missed out on Champions League football for next season with a controversial 2-0 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford yesterday.

Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen’s goals in the second half secured the win for Ruben Amorim’s side, confining Unai Emery’s men to Europa League football.

The Villans were handed an uphill task after goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was given a straight red card after taking out Rasmus Hojlund after Matty Cash’s under-hit back pass.

However, the result could’ve been different for Emery’s men, after Morgan Rogers was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, leading to the club making a complaint to the Premier League over the officiating decisions.

Despite the defeat and the questionable decisions made by the officials, numerous players failed to deliver, leaving the club with some big decisions to make during the off-season.

Aston Villa’s poor performers against Man Utd

As previously mentioned, goalkeeper Martinez made a huge mistake that handed Villa a tricky task to try and claim all three points against the Red Devils.

The Argentine has been linked with a move away from the West Midlands in recent weeks, meaning that his disappointing display at Old Trafford may be his last for the club.

However, he wasn’t alone in producing a disappointing display, with left-back Ian Maatsen struggling to impress, even giving away the penalty for Eriksen’s goal.

His poor showing didn’t stop there, losing possession a staggering 13 times, whilst also losing 100% of the ground duels he entered, looking way off the pace and contributing to the defeat.

Both will likely be frustrated with their lack of impact, but despite their respective outings, one other player massively struggled, with Emery needing to make a bold decision on his future.

The 5/10 Villa star who needs to be sold this summer

After missing out on the Champions League, Villa now have a huge summer ahead of themselves to prevent breaking the Premier League’s strict PSR rules.

The club have had to make sales over the last couple of summers, with this one likely to follow in the same vein given the failure to secure a place in Europe’s biggest competition.

Martinez is just one player touted with a move away from Villa Park, with midfielder Rogers another star who could see his future lie away from the club.

However, Emery must boldly sell fellow first-team member Ollie Watkins this summer, needing to cash in on the 29-year-old whilst his stock is at its highest.

He was subject to interest from Arsenal during the January transfer window, but the hierarchy rejected offers for their talisman, enabling him to play a key role in their Champions League aspirations.

However, his showing at Old Trafford was nothing short of a disappointment, failing to deliver the goods and once again going missing in a key encounter.

The England international featured for the entirety of the contest, registering just 21 touches – the fewest of any player who started the game – highlighting his lack of impact.

Minutes played

90

Touches

21

Shots taken

0

Dribbles completed

1/2 (50%)

Duels won

5/15

Passes completed

6/15 (40%)

Possession lost

12x

He also failed to register a single effort on goal and only completed 50% of his dribbles, further highlighting how poor he was when the ball fell his way.

Watkins’ disappointing showing didn’t end there, only winning five of the 15 duels he entered, often being dominated by the Red Devils’ backline in the defeat.

As a result, the striker was handed a measly 5/10 match rating by Birmingham World’s Charlie Haffenden – further demonstrating how poor he was yesterday.

After such a showing, the manager should look to offload him during the off-season, handing the opportunity for another player to thrive at the top end of the pitch.

Given the current financial situation, the hierarchy will face over the coming months, Watkins should be the first player sacrificed, offering Emery the chance to mount another Champions League push next season.

Their next McGinn: Aston Villa enter the race to sign £30m "top talent"

Aston Villa could strengthen their midfield this summer by signing this star.

ByRoss Kilvington May 25, 2025

In a move that could see Patrick Dorgu lose his place just a few months since arriving, Manchester United are reportedly contemplating a quick summer move to sign a new wing-back, who’s worth around £30m.

Amorim proves his worth with Europa League final gesture

It’s a make-or-break week for Manchester United, who enter the Europa League final with everything on the line. Yet, it’s not just been about the action on the pitch so far this week. Instead, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures have stolen the headlines once again, with reports revealing that first-team staff won’t receive complimentary tickets to the final and players will be limited to just two tickets each.

With players reportedly left angered by the decision, Ruben Amorim has been forced to step up and pay for 30 of his backroom staff to attend the all-important game against Tottenham Hotspur next week.

When questioned on his classy gesture, the Manchester United boss told reporters: “To start with that [paying for staff], the situation is simple. You know we had a lot of things, people leaving, a lot of changing in the staff.

“In this moment, for our club, sometimes it’s hard to understand when to give, when to take, to respect the people we are taking their jobs in certain moments to survive and to rebuild.

“It’s hard and it’s complicated for the club to start giving to other members of staff, so it’s a really hard position. Then, that situation was explained and in that moment my reaction was to help because it’s not going to change my life.

Man Utd ready late hijack to sign "insane" 52-goal Arsenal striker target

They could get one over on the Gunners.

ByTom Cunningham May 16, 2025

“To help the staff be there and to be comfortable, to be better staff for the final. Then, they talk to the players and the players had the same reaction. Everybody wants the staff there the families there. But it’s hard to manage things in our club, so it’s a simple thing.”

Man Utd alerted to Vanderson availability

Despite those cost-cutting measures and a tough Premier League campaign, however, INEOS could yet welcome a number of reinforcements this summer. According to GiveMeSport, Manchester United are now contemplating a move to sign Vanderson from AS Monaco, with Amorim alerted to the wing-back’s £30m availability when looking ahead to his first full season in charge.

Minutes

2,019

2,502

Assists

3

1

Tackles Won

48

46

Ball Recoveries

149

126

Described as “rare” and “unique” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, Vanderson has outperformed Dorgu in a number of key areas this season and could be the perfect counter-balance on the opposite flank to the former Lecce star.

Meanwhile, Amorim certainly wouldn’t complain about having another wing-back at his disposal in a system which desperately falls back on the role at times.

Liverpool are now plotting an opening offer for a “very special” Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement, with the right-back now confirming he is set to exit Anfield this summer.

Trent set to leave Liverpool this summer

It has been rumoured for quite some time, but Trent has now officially confirmed he is planning to leave his boyhood club at the end of the season, with a move to Real Madrid seemingly in the pipeline.

The right-back’s decision to leave has caused mixed reactions to say the least, given that Arne Slot’s side should be in a strong position to compete for major honours in the future, having won the Premier League title in the Dutchman’s first season.

However, with Trent now set to move on, Slot’s next task will be to find a suitable replacement, should the manager decide that Conor Bradley is not yet ready to get the nod as a regular starter.

According to a report from Empire of the Kop, Liverpool are now expected to make an opening offer for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, with FSG looking to get a deal done as quickly as possible.

A bid for Frimpong is set to be made soon, having made contact with the full-back’s agents a few weeks ago, and there are plenty of signs that a deal could be a real possibility.

The Dutchman is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League, which could make negotiations easier, with a €35m-€40m (£30m – £34m) offer now in the works.

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1 ByAngus Sinclair May 6, 2025 "Very special" Frimpong could be ideal Trent heir

The Reds have their own ready-made Trent replacement in Bradley, but Frimpong’s versatility potentially makes him an ideal option, given that he would be able to rotate with the Northern Irishman, who may not be ready to start every match.

The Leverkusen star is also able to play further forward at right-wing, while also featuring at left-back and attacking midfield sporadically throughout his career, which makes him a “very special” player, according to reporter Christian Falk.

Much like Trent, the 24-year-old is particularly impressive on the front foot, picking up four goals and six assists in the Bundesliga this season, while also placing very highly on some key attacking metrics over the past year, when compared to other full-backs.

Statistic

Average per 90

Non-penalty goals

0.11 (85th percentile)

Assists

0.22 (88th percentile)

Touches (Att pen)

5.18 (99th percentile)

It is understandable that fans are disappointed by Trent’s decision to leave this summer, but Frimpong has proven he could be a fantastic replacement.

Liverpool are basking in the glory of clinching the Premier League title and could now put forward an offer for an elite midfielder to bolster their engine room, per reports.

Liverpool look to build on claiming Premier League title

Summer is around the corner and Arne Slot likely won’t be hanging around as he seeks to build a dynasty at Anfield that keeps his side at the top of the English football pyramid.

Everyone associated with the Reds will carry immense pride when looking back on their Premier League title victory, but standing still isn’t an option for FSG and company, who are likely to face a rejuvenated set of divisional rivals in 2025/26.

Looking to make a mark in the market, Liverpool could land Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup for little over £25 million after the Serie A outfit decided to put the Denmark international up for sale.

Stuttgart star Angelo Stiller is also on Slot’s radar, lending credence to the idea that strengthening the engine room is a key priority for the Dutchman in his mission to balance both their domestic and European exploits.

Momentum is an important quantity in football and something Liverpool will be desperate to maintain, though refreshing a squad is sometimes necesarry to ensure hunger doesn’t wane during the second year of a project.

Liverpool’s minimalistic transfer approach in 2024/25

Federico Chiesa

Arrived from Juventus

Giorgi Mamardashvili

Arrived from Valencia (loaned back)

Inriguingly, Slot chose to go with the options already at his disposal, bar Federico Chiesa, upon his arrival. His bravery to stick with a tried and tested bunch proved to be a masterstroke, but there is always room for further enhancement.

With that said, Liverpool are now preparing an offer for one of Europe’s most well-known midfielders in a pursuit that could make headlines across Europe.

Liverpool prepare to submit offer for Frenkie de Jong

Per reports in Spain, Liverpool are preparing to submit an offer just over the £34 million mark for Frenkie de Jong in light of his uncertain situation at Barcelona.

The La Liga giants are said to be open to a sale in light of their economic circumstances, which has alerted the Reds alongside Arsenal and Manchester City.

Man City set to fend off Liverpool hijack and win race for £73k-a-week star

They have been working on a deal since January.

ByHenry Jackson May 3, 2025

Slot values De Jong’s fluidity in possession and potential to anchor the midfield with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister highly, and the fact he is out of contract in Catalonia come 2026 may hasten the process. Labelled “incredible” by Marc Casado, the former Ajax man has registered two goals and two assists in 40 appearances across all competitions this campaign.

Reported to earn £310,000 per week at Barcelona, De Jong is an experienced operator with experience of thriving at the highest level, making him a logical target for Liverpool should he fancy the prospect of a new challenge.

Ultimately, his current employers’ finances may dictate how this story develops, but it is definitely one to keep an eye on in light of Slot’s growing Dutch contingent of players at Anfield.

Nottingham Forest have endured a season that the supporters will remember for a lifetime, still having the opportunity to secure Champions League football with four games left of the season.

The Reds have gone from relegation strugglers to European hopefuls in just one campaign under Nuno Espírito Santo’s guidance, which has undoubtedly been one of the stories of the year.

Their low-block and counter-attacking style has taken countless Premier League sides by storm, allowing them to produce the performances and results that have catapulted them to huge success.

No one could’ve predicted the rise endured by the club in the last few months, with many pundits across the United Kingdom predicting Nuno’s men to get relegated before a ball was kicked.

Numerous players have stepped up to the plate in the last few months, aiding their unlikely ambitions of securing a place in the Champions League and looking to be worth every penny of the fee paid for their signature.

Sangare & Anderson’s stats for Forest in 2024/25

Ibrahim Sangare joined Forest in a £30m deal from Dutch side PSV, looking to nail down his place at the heart of the midfield, but nearly two years on, it’s safe to say things haven’t gone as planned.

The Ivorian has massively struggled with injuries, making just 30 appearances in his two seasons, 12 of which have come this term after missing six months with a hamstring issue.

The same can’t be said for £35m signing Elliot Anderson, who’s been a crucial player to Nuno this campaign, featuring in all but one Premier League outing to date.

He’s managed to notch eight combined goals and assists during his first season at the City Ground, leading to admiration from Liverpool – highlighting his development in the East Midlands.

At just 22, Anderson has bags of time to improve further throughout his career, potentially having a huge role to play in any European tour endured throughout 2025/26.

Despite the aforementioned pair being the two most expensive additions in their history, one other first-team member is now worth more than the duo, showcasing his own rise under Nuno at the City Ground.

The Forest star who’s now worth more than Sangare & Anderson

The next couple of weeks are vital to Forest, with the financial benefits of securing Champions League football massively boosting their ambitions of recruiting top-level talent.

Such a qualification would also boost their current PSR standing, pulling them further away from any form of breach, which would result in yet another points deduction.

However, any chances of finishing within the top five could rely on winger Anthony Elanga, with the Swedish star producing countless moments of magic in recent times to help the side reach their current standing.

The 23-year-old joined the club from Manchester United for just £15m back in the summer of 2023, looking to be an absolute bargain given the levels produced since his transfer.

He managed to achieve a total of five goals and nine assists in all competitions during his debut season on Trentside, before notching six goals and ten assists in the current campaign – leading to journalist Simon Stone labelling him as “superb”.

Arguably, his most iconic effort of the year was his 85-yard run and goal against his former employers, helping Nuno’s side secure a 1-0 victory in the East Midlands back in April.

He’s only played a maximum of 45 minutes in four of the Reds’ last five outings in all competitions, with the four losses during that time appearing to be no coincidence.

Games played

34

Goals & assists

15

Pass accuracy

77.4%

Chances created

1.8

Dribbles completed

0.96

Fouls won

1.47

Recoveries made

3.44

Crosses completed

1.34

As a result of his impressive showings since his transfer, Elanga is now valued at £30m by Transfermarkt, doubling the fee they paid for his signature in 2023, highlighting his rise since joining the club.

Such a figure is higher than those of Sangare and Anderson, who are now both valued at £23m and £25.5m respectively – with the latter being extremely harsh given his impressive season in 2024/25.

His tally of 30 combined goals and assists for Forest showcases how threatening he’s been in the final third, having the ability to play a key role in their potential Champions League campaign next year.

However, if they are to finish the job in the next couple of weeks, Elanga must start each one of the remaining fixtures, with his inclusion massively increasing the club’s chances of ending their fairytale season on a high.

Just imagine him & Gibbs-White: Nottingham Forest keen on signing £30m star

Nottingham Forest could be about to make a huge signing that would take Morgan Gibbs-White to the next level.

ByEthan Lamb Apr 30, 2025

Arsenal’s aim this summer is clear: add more goals to their squad.

Despite being second in the Premier League and through to only the club’s third Champions League semi-final, the Gunners’ lack of goals has unquestionably held them back.

So, do Arsenal lead the race to sign “one of the best wingers on the market”, described as Mikel Arteta’s dream signing?

Arteta's dream attacking signing

According to reports in Spain, via Football365, Arsenal are readying a ‘serious offer’ as they attempt to sign Athletic Club Bilbao forward Nico Williams, whom is believed to be Arteta’s dream target.

The Gunners have a long-standing interest in Williams; alongside Barcelona, they were chasing his signature last season, but the 22-year-old decided to stay at Athletic, aiming to help les Leons win the Europa League at their home stadium San Mamés, on course to achieve this, preparing to face Manchester United in the semi-finals.

Now, Marca are reporting that Barça’s interest in Williams has cooled, partially as a result of their ongoing financial concerns, but also due to the fact that Raphinha has been on fire this season, scoring 28 goals and registering 22 assists across all competitions.

Transfer Focus

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

Thus, Aditya Gokhale of Goal believes this leaves Arsenal as the front-runners to sign Williams come the summer, with analyst Ben Mattinson describing him as “one of the best wingers on the market”, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout labels him “brilliant”.

Pol Ballús of The Athletic documents that Williams’ release clause is just €55m (around £47m), which he claims to be a ‘bargain’ although, according to Capology, the winger earns around £171k-per-week, so would therefore become one of Arsenal’s highest-earners, should he choose to swap the Basque Country for North London.

How Nico Williams would improve Arsenal

Arteta has previously stated that he wants to add “more firepower” to his forward line, and these statistics underline why.

The Gunners have scored one goal or fewer on 22 occasions this season, doing so in 50% of their 32 league fixtures to date, with the table below showing how this compares to previous campaigns.

2024/25*

57

1.78

2nd

2020/21

55

1.45

8th

2019/20

56

1.47

8th

1998/99

59

1.55

2nd

1995/96

49

1.29

5th

1994/95

52

1.23

12th

1993/94

53

1.26

4th

1992/93

40

0.95

10th

1989/90

54

14.2

4th

*season ongoing: 6 fixtures remaining

As outlined in the table, since 1988, Arsenal have only failed to score 60+ goals in a league season on eight occasions, primarily enduring miserable mid-table campaigns whenever they do, requiring three goals from their remaining six fixtures this season to avoid adding to this tally.

This is also quite the comedown, considering the Gunners scored 91 goals last season, their most in a single campaign since 1953.

Despite netting at the Bernabéu this week, Gabriel Martinelli is often widely criticised, with this only his eighth goal of the season so far.

Given that Martinelli is first-choice on the left-wing, it is his place Williams would be looking to take in the team, so let’s assess how the duo compare.

Appearances

42

43

Minutes

2,946

2,905

Goals

11

8

Assists

7

6

Shots on target %

42.2%

45.2%

Shot-creating actions

166

85

Goal-creating actions

20

7

Attempted take-ons

264

137

Take-on success %

40.2%

33.6%

Progressive carries

177

141

Ball recoveries

127

95

Duels Contested

471

306

Touches per 90

41

34

Remarkably, as outlined in the table, Williams and Martinelli have played almost a near-identical number of minutes this season to date, there are just 41 between them, which is useful when it comes to comparing the duo.

The table suggests that Williams would be an upgrade on the Brazilian, considering that he’s scored more goals and registered more assists this season, while he is also a more proficient dribbler, and is more dangerous in front of goal.

So, if the Gunners are finally going to end their 22-year wait for a Premier League title next season, the Spanish Euros winner would be an excellent addition.

Their own Yamal: Arsenal hold talks for £25m "future Ballon D'or winner"

The simply sensational talent could be a game-changer for Arsenal.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 19, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are now pushing hard to sign an “incredible” midfielder, and they are confident they will win the race for his signature, according to a report.

Tottenham eyeing reinforcements in multiple areas

Barring an unlikely triumph in the Europa League, the 2024-25 campaign is likely to go down as a season to forget for Tottenham, with it looking increasingly likely they will finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table.

Injuries no doubt haven’t helped their cause, but the fact Spurs have fallen way below expectations indicates several reinforcements may be needed in the summer, and they are eyeing players in multiple positions.

A new striker is of interest, with Dominic Solanke and Richarlison suffering their fair share of injury problems this season, and the Lilywhites are now making moves to sign Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while they are also stepping up their pursuit of Lille’s Jonathan David.

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ByDominic Lund Apr 6, 2025

With Cristian Romero potentially in line to leave Tottenham this summer, a new centre-back may also be required, and they are incredibly keen on Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah, who is set to be available on a free transfer.

Tah is not the only free agent that Tottenham are eyeing, however, with a report from The Boot Room revealing they are determined to sign Lille midfielder Angel Gomes, whose contract is set to expire this summer.

Spurs are pushing hard to get a deal for Gomes over the line, having been leading the race for his signature for quite some time, and they are confident they will be able to strike an agreement.

London rivals West Ham United have also been linked with a move for the 24-year-old, but widespread reports state he has turned down a move to the London Stadium.

Signing "incredible" Gomes could be shrewd business

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has made it clear Tottenham will have to be clever with how they operate in the transfer market this summer, saying: “We cannot spend what we do not have, and we will not compromise the financial stability of this club,”

“Recruitment remains a key focus, and we must ensure that we make smart purchases within our financial means.”

As such, it would be financially prudent to pursue free agents this summer, and signing Gomes could be a shrewd bit of business, given how impressive he has looked in a Lille shirt, notably impressing with his long-range passing last season.

The England international has also been lauded as “incredible” by Carlisle United midfielder Callum Whelan, indicating he could be a fantastic addition for Tottenham, who may be in need of at least one new midfielder, with Yves Bissouma’s future in doubt.

Manchester United have now submitted a £26m opening offer for a former Premier League striker, who has been in impressive form this season.

Man Utd looking to sign new striker amid Sesko's slow start

Benjamin Sesko’s Man United career is yet to truly take off, having scored two goals in his first 11 Premier League games, and the Slovenian striker has missed the last two matches due to a knee injury, with Joshua Zirkzee leading the line against Crystal Palace last time out.

With Zirkzee ending his goal drought in the 2-1 triumph against the Eagles, it remains to be seen whether Sesko will be able to force his way back into the side upon his return, but the Dutchman could be on the move in the January transfer window.

West Ham United are now planning to sign Zirkzee this winter as a replacement for Niclas Fullkrug, with AS Roma also being credited as potential suitors, and the 24-year-old departing would exacerbate the need for Ruben Amorim to bring in a new centre-forward.

According to a report from Spain, Man United have now submitted an offer of around €30m (£26m) for Real Betis striker Cucho Hernandez, who has emerged as an important player for the Spanish side under the helm of Manuel Pellegrini.

The bid is said to be ‘financially attractive’ to Betis, but the La Liga side now have a big decision to make, given that Cucho could be the key to them having a successful season, and it would be difficult to replace him.

United are looking to bring in forwards capable of providing ‘energy, mobility and goals’, and they have decided the 26-year-old fits the bill, off the back of an impressive 2025-26 campaign thus far…

Cucho impressing in La Liga and Europa League

The Colombian recently scored his first Europa League goal of the season in Betis’ 2-1 victory against Utrecht, and he has also put in some eye-catching displays in La Liga, chipping in with five goals and two assists in 14 games.

The former Watford man has some Premier League experience too, scoring five goals in 25 matches for the Hornets in the 2021-22 campaign, during which time Claudio Ranieri said: “I love him, because always during the training session he gives 100 per cent. He wants to score, he wants to shoot. He is a fighter. I love these kinds of people.”

"Elite" England star now Ruben Amorim's number one target at Man Utd

Man United are looking to strengthen in the middle of the park.

ByDominic Lund Dec 3, 2025

Man United should have reservations about signing Cucho, given that the centre-forward wasn’t exactly prolific during his previous stint in England, but he could be a decent back-up option for Sesko, should Zirkzee move on this winter.

Newcastle United’s topsy-turvy campaign is raging on. When will Eddie Howe strike the balance needed for his team to kick on and reestablish themselves as a force in the Premier League?

Last weekend’s performance over Manchester City offered a glimpse into what United are capable of, dispatching Pep Guardiola’s side at St. James’ Park thanks to Harvey Barnes’ second-half brace.

But that win was built atop a run of three defeats from four in the Premier League, and Newcastle have since been defeated on the road in the Champions League, against Marseille in France.

It wasn’t the Toon’s worst performance of the season, but the emission of anxiety after Nick Pope’s costly mistake emphasises the issue in mentality when away from Tyneside.

Why Howe should drop Nick Pope

Pope has been a strong and convincing goalkeeper for Newcastle since joining the club from relegated Burnley in 2022, but, aged 33, the Three Lions star is allowing errors to creep into his game, the latest of which cost the Magpies dearly in Marseille.

Newcastle knew they needed to take something home with them from the Orange Velodrome, and indeed, Barnes’ finish secured an advantage at the interval.

Cool heads were needed, but Pope rushed out to claim a neat through ball and failed to match the pace of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the veteran striker getting there first and then rounding Pope and scoring from an acute angle to restore parity. The one-time Arsenal hero then scored again from close range, smacking home from a few yards out following a fierce cross-box pass.

That frustrating display was hardly an outlier. This season, Pope has left plenty to be desired.

Given that loanee Aaron Ramsdale is waiting in the wings, it’s understandable that some supporters want to see a change between the sticks, and it’s perhaps something Howe should consider if he wishes to revive his team’s fluency and confidence on the road.

It’s not the only change that must be made, though, with another United man’s form this season emphasising the need for a permanent tweak on Howe’s part.

The Newcastle star who's a bigger liability than Pope

A core part of Newcastle’s success over the past four years, Joelinton’s chapter at the club may nearly be written, with the long-time star beginning to become a problem for Howe.

One of the most powerful and imposing midfielders in the Premier League, Joelinton’s form has suffered this season, and he’s noticeably regressed, and that is accentuated by the superstars around him.

Unlike last season, when Joelinton’s intense, pack-a-punch style was so integral in charging up the Newcastle engine, the likes of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes are forming something of a partnership

Newcastle’s Italian midfielder, to be sure, is showing off new levels of athleticism and strength to match his natural elegance, and the skipper is as all-encompassing as ever in the middle of the park.

But Joelinton is waning, and this has been picked up by Toon observers. Indeed, journalist Mark Douglas noted earlier in the campaign that the 29-year-old has been “nowhere near his best”.

Sofascore record that Joelinton is winning only 2.9 ground duels per Premier League fixture, which is his lowest average since 2019/20, his debut term, when he principally played as a centre-forward.

Refashioned into an all-action midfielder, Joelinton has proved himself to be an iconic servant for Howe at Newcastle, but after so many rounds of unforgiving action, it may be that it is the right time for him to move on.

1

Bruno Guimaraes

172

2

Dan Burn

166

3

Fabian Schar

165

4

Jacob Murphy

152

5

Joelinton

146

Hailed as a “club legend” by content creator Adam Pearson, the Brazil international has had his day, and the fact that PIF are gearing up for an ambitious bid for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson in 2026, the England midfielder having emerged from Newcastle’s academy, suggests that the mainstay is becoming expendable.

The suggestions that Pope should be extricated from his post between the posts are rising in volume, but the emphasis on pushing for a Joelinton upgrade must be just as loud.

For all the Brazilian’s robustness, he is no longer untouchable under Howe’s wing, and is perhaps becoming the weakest link in a team that needs to kick on.

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