Category Uncategorized

Manchester United have it all to do this season, having started poorly yet again. Managerial scrutiny is no new thing at the Theatre of Dreams, and Ruben Amorim is very much at the centre of the current struggle at the club, and the pressure is mounting.

It is concerning that Amorim continues to search for his first back-to-back victories in the Premier League. It is concerning that, though we are only six games into the term, the Red Devils are 14th in the standings. It is concerning that Grimsby Town won on penalties to knock Man United out of the Carabao Cup in the second round.

It is more concerning still that banished players from last season are performing with such gusto since leaving Old Trafford, and who could typify that more than Marcus Rashford at Barcelona?

Marcus Rashford's Barcelona glow-up

Rashford was at a crossroads after concluding his loan spell with Aston Villa last season, having been ostracised by Amorim following the Portuguese manager’s arrival in England.

It was generally accepted that the change was needed for the Three Lions star, who has started life in Spain emphatically, scoring twice and assisting four goals across seven matches.

The 27-year-old has long been considered one of the most talented Englishmen of his generation and, indeed, enjoyed several staggering high points at Man United, at times one of the most clinical wingers in Europe.

He is coming back to form on loan with Barcelona, with his show-stopping performance against Newcastle United in the Champions League evidence of that.

However, there’s no question that Rashford was an issue for United last year, and that we might sadly be seeing Amorim’s new version of the talented forward emerging before our eyes.

Amorim's new version of Rashford

This summer, Bruno Fernandes proved his loyalty to Manchester United when rejecting the lucrative advances of Saudi Arabian suitors, but his performances since have left plenty to be desired.

He is the club’s best player. The captain, Fernandes has scored 17 goals and assisted 12 more across 47 matches for Amorim. But he has also presented a tactical quandary, with the manager’s 3-4-3 formation meaning he has been placed into a two-man central midfield.

It is not like Fernandes has not played in a deeper role before. The Portuguese Magnifico’s range of passing and technical command illustrates his versatility. However, rarely before coming under Amorim’s wing had he played in a two-man midfield.

Attacking midfield

396

141 (118)

Central midfield

108

29 (17)

Left winger

18

3 (3)

Right winger

14

5 (4)

Centre-forward

8

0 (3)

Holding midfield

7

4 (4)

It might be that a more naturally polished box-to-box player could help restore some semblance of fluency to the Man United team, and Fernandes’ frustrations at having missed two penalties already in the Premier League this season perhaps underscore his current plight, typically unerring from the spot.

Fernandes’ application cannot be questioned, and in that way, he differs from Rashford, but the £300k-per-week talent is one of the outfit’s superstars, and once again, Amorim may be dealing with such a big name entering persistent media discourse for all the wrong reasons.

Following the heavy defeat in the Manchester derby, the Independent’s Adam Cleary said that the skipper’s role deep in the centre of the field was becoming a “problem”, for he does not provide the defensive security and roundedness that is perhaps needed.

This is not a slight against Bruno. He is trying to bring it all together for the Red Devils, but fighting an uphill battle, and if Amorim fails to devise a formula for success soon, Fernandes might be following another former United talisman out the door, with hopes of rekindling his finest football before he sinks too deep into his thirties.

Worse than Amorim: INEOS open talks to hire 55-year-old manager for Man Utd

Manchester United are edging closer to an uncomfortable decision regarding Ruben Amorim’s future.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 29, 2025

It’s been an excellent day for all concerned at Arsenal, following the big news today that defender William Saliba is poised to commit his future, but as one star prepares to sign an extension, another is eyeing the exit door.

William Saliba on the verge of signing new deal in boost for Arsenal

The Frenchman’s contract was due to expire in 2027, dealing a major worry for Mikel Arteta amid interest from Real Madrid.

Saliba rejected Arsenal’s initial proposal, but the Gunners have since made an improved attempt to tie the defender down, which is now on the verge of being accepted as sporting director Andrea Berta successfully thwarts Real in their pursuit of a star centre-back.

His new deal will run until 2030, and Saliba is expected to put pen to paper in the next few days, as per David Ornstein who originally broke the news.

Arsenal 1-1 Man City – most tackles made

Number

Jurrien Timber

7

William Saliba

4

Jeremy Doku

4

Riccardo Calafiori

3

Declan Rice

2

via WhoScored

According to other previous reports, this offer could make Saliba one of Arsenal’s highest earners, with journalist Dean Jones reporting that his salary may increase to around £300,000-per-week – putting him above the likes of Kai Havertz (£280k), Gabriel Jesus (£265k), Martin Odegaard (£240k), Declan Rice (£240k) and summer signing Viktor Gyokeres (£200k).

Speaking of Jesus, who remains in rehab after tearing his ACL in January, an update has now come to light on his future.

The Brazil international picked up a season-ending injury at a terrible time midway through last season, just as he was hitting a purple patch of form, and the arrival of Gyokeres this summer has pushed him further down Arteta’s pecking order.

Once Havertz also returns from his knee problem, there will be hardly any room for the 28-year-old, who was signed from Man City for £45 million in 2022.

Gabriel Jesus ready to green-light Arsenal exit in January

According to journalist Mark Brus, via The Daily Briefing, Jesus is ready to green-light an Arsenal exit in January, and is tempted by the prospect of a return to Brazil as he looks to battle his way into Carlo Ancelotti’s 2026 World Cup squad.

Everton and West Ham have made approaches for the forward too, but that is as far as it has gone thus far. Berta and Arsenal are also prepared to grant Jesus a leave, as the north Londoners want to get his sky-high wages off the salary bill.

Why Arsenal must sell Gabriel Jesus

The South American has always delivered his best effort in red and white with a ferocious work rate, but the presence of Gyokeres and Havertz unfortunately negates any need for him.

His versatility has also been valuable. However, it is hard enough for Arteta to give super subs Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard enough deserved game time without throwing Jesus into the mix, so a transfer is definitely best for all parties.

According to ex-Premier League scout Mick Brown, Berta is indeed “ready” to accept suitable bids.

Harry Kane has aired his ambition to become a Ballon d’Or contender, having maintained stunning individual standards with Bayern Munich, while revealing the secrets behind his current form. One of the greatest goalscorers to have ever played the game has been red hot at the start of the 2025-26 campaign, suggesting that he could come into contention for a prestigious Golden Ball award.

Goal numbers: Kane's stunning start to the season

Kane finished outside of the top 10 in the 2024 Ballon d’Or vote, with the England captain slipping to 13th on that list despite breaking his trophy duck when landing the Bundesliga and plundering 41 goals for Bayern across all competitions. He is not fazed by that snub and has set about ensuring that he climbs those standings in 2026.

The 32-year-old frontman has become the first player in Bundesliga history to net 11 goals through the opening six matches of a league season. He has 18 efforts for Bayern in total, through 10 appearances, while also netting for England to take his record-shattering tally of efforts for the Three Lions to 74.

Kane has also become a centurion for Bayern, reaching 103 goals in just 106 games, and remains ahead of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland on the 2025-26 goal charts – with the Norwegian forward another of those to have been in scintillating form this season.

AdvertisementGettyBallon d'Or contender: Kane dreams of Golden Ball

Kane said of competing with the likes of Haaland for Golden Shoe recognition and potentially top billing in the Ballon d’Or: “I've seen that he's been scoring although [Kylian] Mbappe has also had a great start to this season. I think those kinds of comparisons come from the outside, more obviously from social media now. From me, not so much. I know there's some amazing strikers in Europe and I try to focus on myself.

“Obviously, I would love to win the Ballon d’Or. Essentially it is a team trophy that the best individual from that team wins so no matter how you do in a season unless you win the biggest competitions it is going to be a Champions League winner or a World Cup winner this time around.

“Especially when you are this early in the season it is impossible to talk about it. I would love to win it for sure, it would be an accumulation of doing something great individually and as a team. It would be almost the perfect season. The opportunity is there when you are playing at a club like Bayern – who are always one of the favourites to win the Champions League. With England we are going to be one of the favourites to win the World Cup.”

Limited ice cream: Secrets to Kane's success

Kane has learned down the years how to bring the best out of himself. He knows that sacrifices off the field will ultimately lead to better performances on it, with it important not to indulge when enjoying family time with wife Kate and their four children.

Explaining the secrets of his success, Kane said: “You have to drain as much as you can from your career. In terms of nutrition, recovery and working in the gym, I've stepped it up more this year. And obviously getting the rewards for that as well in the numbers that I'm producing.

“I do eat clean anyway. It's just whether I have the ‘cheat’ meals after games. Also not having as much ice cream when you’re out with the family. Just things like that. Small details, but I think at the highest level, a one per cent change, or even half a per cent, is going to make a big difference.

“As we know, the most important months are the latter stages of the season, the February to May and then obviously the World Cup. I want to make sure I'm in the best condition going into those moments."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

GettyNext up for Kane: England's upcoming fixtures

England will be back in action on Thursday when taking in a friendly date with Wales at Wembley Stadium. They will then travel to Latvia for a 2026 World Cup qualifier, with Thomas Tuchel’s side – who sit top of their group with a perfect record through five fixtures – well on course to book their tickets for next summer’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

عقد وليد صلاح الدين، مدير الكرة بالنادي الأهلي، جلسة، مع لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم أحمد عبد القادر، لحسم موقف تجديده خلال الفترة الحالية.

أحمد عبد القادر، كان خارج حسابات الأهلي في بداية الموسم مع الجهاز الفني السابق بقياد الإسباني خوسيه ريبيرو بعد عودته من الإعارة من نادي قطر القطري.

طالع.. خاص | الزمالك يتوجه بطلب جديد إلى اتحاد الكرة بسبب زيزو

إلا أنه عاد مؤخرًا وظهر في مباريات الأهلي، ببطولة الدوري، مع الجهاز المؤقت الذي رحل موخرًا بقيادة عماد النحاس، مما جعل إدارة القلعة الحمراء تسعى لحسم تجديد عقده مع الفريق.

وقال مصدر من الأهلي لـ بطولات: “وليد صلاح الدين مدير الكرة بالأهلي اتفق مع أحمد عبد القادر على تجديد عقده لمدة 3 مواسم”.

وأضاف: “مدير الكرة عقد عدة جلسات مع أحمد عبد القادر ونجح في التوصل لاتفاق معه للتوقيع على عقود التجديد”.

وأتم: “أحمد عبد القادر سيحصل على راتب سنوي يصل لـ25 مليون جنيه في الموسم”.

ويستعد النادي الأهلي لمواجهة فريق إيجل نوار البوروندي، يوم السبت 18 أكتوبر، في إطار مباراة الذهاب لدور الـ 32 من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

Turning their attention towards Real Madrid for attacking reinforcements, Newcastle United are now reportedly ready to launch an opening offer to sign a forward who already has a fan in Eddie Howe.

Isak still training alone at Newcastle

As much as there will be some relief that Alexander Isak is still a Newcastle player, the relationship between the Swede and the rest of those at St James’ Park will still need time before it’s as good as new. And Howe wanted to ensure that he was well aware of that after deciding to leave the forward to arrive for training once the rest of his teammates had left the building.

Howe warned that Isak would have to “earn the right” to train with the rest of the squad and has since proved that he’s not bluffing. The Newcastle boss told reporters: “You have to earn the right to train with us.

“We are Newcastle United. The player has a responsibility here to be part of a team and part of a squad – you have to act in the right way. So that is also at play here.

He’s an Isak upgrade: Newcastle chasing “one of the best 9s in the world”

Newcastle’s bid for a centre-forward could be set to take another twist…

2

By
Joe Nuttall

Aug 7, 2025

“We will make sure that any player does that to earn the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal.”

Isak, meanwhile, still wants to leave the club and with just under a month remaining until the transfer window slams shut, the Magpies are still reportedly preparing for the worst-case scenario.

Newcastle ready to launch Brahim Diaz offer

According to reports in Spain, Newcastle are now ready to launch an opening offer to sign Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid worth €50m (£44m) if Isak departs this summer.

Howe is reportedly a fan of the former Manchester City man and could yet welcome him to Newcastle in an attempt to hand his side the attacking boost that they’ve been searching for all summer long.

A versatile player who can play on both wings and in attacking midfield, Diaz could join Elanga and potentially Nicolas Jackson in a new frontline at St James’ Park this season.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)	Diaz	Elanga
Minutes	1,385	2,501
Goals	4	6
Assists	2	11
Successful Take-ons	24	25

Whilst Diaz struggled to break into the world-class frontline of Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior last season, he still showcased his ability when provided with the opportunity.

Described as “important” by former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti even as he struggled to nail down a starting place, Diaz would thrive as a consistent starter elsewhere.

With unfinished business in the Premier League years on from leaving Manchester City, the Spaniard could hand Newcastle the attacking addition that they’ve been craving this summer.

India have won 23 of their 25 T20Is this year, and one more on Friday will give them the series

Hemant Brar14-Nov-2024Big picture: The year India embraced T20In a fickle, unpredictable format, India have had arguably the greatest year for a team, winning 23 of their 25 T20Is in 2024. It was also the year where they truly embraced the format, shedding their safety-first approach with the bat to play attacking, modern-day T20 cricket.The results could not have been better. They whitewashed Afghanistan and Bangladesh at home and did the same to Sri Lanka away. In between, their second-string side won 4-1 in Zimbabwe. But all that pales in comparison to their unbeaten run to lift the T20 World Cup in June.Friday’s T20I in Johannesburg will be their last outing in the format this year. Having taken an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series, they will be keen to hit yet another positive note.Related

Groin injury rules Ngidi out of action till January

Klaasen calls for more cricket for South Africa across formats

Tilak asks Suryakumar for No. 3 spot and owns it with dazzling century

Tilak ton, Arshdeep three-for put India 2-1 up

Until they met India in the final in Barbados, South Africa were also unbeaten in the T20 World Cup. But on either side of the tournament, their performances have been underwhelming. One can argue that they were almost always missing one or more of their first-choice players but the same can be said of their opponents as well.Even if they win on Friday, South Africa’s winless streak in bilateral T20I series will stand at eight. Still, 2-2 is much better than 3-1.Form guideSouth Africa LWLLW (last five T20Is, most recent first)
India WLWWWIn the spotlight: Marco Jansen and Abhishek SharmaMaking his comeback from a shoulder issue, Marco Jansen has been South Africa’s player of the series. He may have picked up only three wickets but his economy of 6.41 is the best for any bowler in the series. That India posted 200-plus totals twice in three games makes Jansen’s performance even more impressive. He is also the leading run-getter for South Africa with 73 runs at a strike rate of 208.57. In Centurion, he almost pulled off an impossible-looking chase with his 16-ball half-century, the second-fastest for South Africa in the format.Having not crossed 20 in his last seven T20I innings, Abhishek Sharma was under pressure coming into the third T20I. At times, he had looked out of his depth, especially against the hard lengths, and it seemed he had only one gear. But in Centurion, his shot selection was much better as he scored a 25-ball 50 to set the platform for a big total. With Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill ahead of him in the pecking order, he will be aware that he cannot relax after just one good innings.Team news: Peter comes back?South Africa could consider bringing back local legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter for Gerald Coetzee.South Africa (probable): 1 Ryan Rickelton, 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Aiden Markram (capt), 4 Tristan Stubbs, 5 Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Gerald Coetzee/Nqabayomzi Peter, 9 Andile Simelane, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Lutho SipamlaWith Ramandeep Singh showing his value with the bat in Centurion, India will be hesitant to make any changes.India (probable): 1 Sanju Samson (wk), 2 Abhishek Sharma, 3 Tilak Varma, 4 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 5 Hardik Pandya, 6 Rinku Singh, 7 Ramandeep Singh, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Arshdeep Singh, 10 Ravi Bishnoi, 11 Varun ChakravarthyMarco Jansen has been South Africa’s best batter this series•AFP/Getty ImagesPitch and conditions: Rain may delay startJohannesburg is traditionally a high-scoring venue. The last time it hosted a T20I, in December 2023, India rode on Suryakumar Yadav’s hundred to post 201 for 7. However, South Africa were bowled out for a mere 95 in response, with Kuldeep Yadav taking five wickets. There is a forecast for showers around 4pm local time, half an hour before the toss. But it is expected to be brief and we should get a full game.Stats and trivia: Arshdeep closes in on Chahal In 2024, India have breached the 200 mark eight times – the most by any team in a single year. Arshdeep Singh needs five more wickets to surpass Yuzvendra Chahal as India’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is. This year, Aiden Markram has 241 runs in 17 T20Is at an average of 16.06 and a strike rate of 120.50. The last time he scored a half-century in the format was 28 innings ago. Tilak Varma’s 107 not out in Centurion was the 21st T20I hundred by an India batter. New Zealand (12) and Australia (11) are the only other teams to have ten or more T20I tons.

Liverpool have enjoyed a terrific summer transfer window that has put them in a fantastic position to defend their Premier League title in the 2025/26 campaign.

The headline of the summer so far has, of course, been the arrival of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a British record transfer fee of £116.5m.

Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Hugo Ekitike have also arrived as marquee additions to bolster Arne Slot’s options across the pitch ahead of next season.

However, Liverpool have also lost Luis Diaz. The Colombia international recently completed a permanent transfer to German giants Bayern Munich.

The former Porto man may not be the only high-profile exit from Anfield before the end of the window, though, as Darwin Nunez may be on his way out of the club.

Al Hilal are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign the Uruguay international, as they are in talks over personal terms with the Reds centre-forward.

Why it is the right time for Liverpool to cash in on Nunez

David Ornstein claims that the Saudi Pro League club have agreed an initial fee of £46m, with add-ons on top, with Liverpool for the striker, who has shown a willingness to accept the move.

Although it remains to be seen how much money could be recouped from the total transfer including the add-ons, it seems like the right time for the Reds to cash in on the former Benfica star.

Liverpool reportedly paid a club-record fee of £85m to sign the attacker in the summer of 2022, and it is increasingly difficult to justify it as money well spent by the club, based on his performances on the pitch.

Unfortunately, a theme throughout Nunez’s time at Anfield has been unreliable finishing. He has not made enough of the chances that the team have created for him over the last three years.

Darwin Nunez (all comps)

22/23

23/24

24/25

Appearances

42

54

47

xG

17.16

22.64

8.53

Goals

15

18

7

Big chances missed

28

38

17

Assists

4

13

5

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the £85m signing has underperformed his xG in all three of his seasons with the club, missing a staggering 83 ‘big chances’ in that time.

This is why it may be the right time for Liverpool to move on from Nunez amid interest from Al Hilal, as he has not done enough to suggest that he can be a reliable option for Slot.

Euro club in talks to sign Liverpool midfielder

Meanwhile, the Reds could be dealt a bigger blow as Jurgen Klopp is looking to poach one of their players for one of his Red Bull clubs this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, RB Leipzig are in talks with Liverpool over a potential deal to sign England U21 international Harvey Elliott.

The reporter states that the German side have already made contact with the Premier League champions and are now speaking to them about a move for the left-footed ace.

Ornstein adds that Leipzig are looking to bring him in as a potential replacement for Dutch star Xavi Simons, who may be off to Chelsea this summer.

The Athletic’s article reveals that Liverpool are willing to sell Elliott for £40m if a buy-back clause is included as part of the deal, or for £50m without one.

Given Klopp’s job with Red Bull and his connections at Anfield, the German boss could have a part to play in this possible transfer of his former midfielder, as Leipzig look to poach him this summer.

Why losing Harvey Elliott would be a blow for Liverpool

Unlike Nunez, Elliott would not be leaving the club because he has not been good enough on the pitch for Liverpool. Instead, it would be in search of more game time.

The English starlet only played 28 times in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign, and only started two matches in the Premier League for Slot. He was a useful player when called upon, though, with a return of five goals and three assists from a central midfield position.

Elliott is still a young player who is developing and improving all the time, though, at the age of 22. This means that Liverpool have not seen the best of him yet, which is why cashing in on him now would be a big blow.

It would mean that Leipzig would potentially benefit from his potential by offering him the chance to play regularly in Germany, rather than the Reds getting to see him blossom by increasing his game time at Anfield.

The left-footed magician’s performances for England’s U21s at the European Championship this summer suggest that he is now primed to have a breakthrough season as a key player for whoever he is playing for next season.

2025 U21 Euros

Harvey Elliott

Appearances

6

Sofascore rating

7.53

Goals

5

Minutes per goal

95

Key passes per game

1.7

Assists

0

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Elliott was prolific for his country from a midfield position throughout the tournament, averaging a goal every 95 minutes.

The English gem, who was described as “explosive” by Slot, has the potential to emerge as a brilliant attack-minded midfield star, who can both score and create goals, as evidenced by his 11-assist haul in the 2023/24 season for Liverpool.

This is why losing Elliott this summer would be an even bigger blow than losing Nunez to Al Hilal, because he is an impressive young talent with the potential to grow into a top player for the club, whereas the former Benfica man has already had plenty of chances to impress and failed to take them.

Related Their own Huijsen: Liverpool ready to rival Arsenal for “Rolls Royce" CB

Liverpool still need to sign a centre-back in the summer transfer market.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair Aug 6, 2025

Therefore, Liverpool should reconsider cashing in on Elliott before the end of the summer transfer window, as he has the quality to be a great option for Slot to call upon in the 2025/26 campaign when needed.

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

Chelsea’s pursuit of Borussia Dortmund winger Jamie Gittens seems to have hit a bit of a roadblock. The Blues were ideally looking to bring the winger in ahead of the Club World Cup, in which they will face LAFC in their first game. However, with the deadline at 7pm on Tuesday, it was not to be for the Blues.

They already lost out on a deal for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano. That means that, after the Gittens deal was not completed in team, striker Liam Delap and defender Mamadou Sarr are the only new players to have arrived ahead of the competition in the USA.

Whatever happens with Gittens in the long run, he might not be the only winger that switches to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Chelsea’s Gittens alternatives

It was confirmed by Romano that the West London outfit want to sign Gittens ‘even if it’s later this summer’, explaining there is ‘no rush’ with the move. That suggests it is an independent move to their pursuit of another Premier League winger.

Transfer Focus

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

This time in conversation with DAZN, Romano suggested that the Blues may still pursue a move for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho. He explained that the Argentina international is ‘appreciated’ by the higher-ups at Stamford Bridge.

They might not be the only side in contention to sign Garnacho this summer. Bayer Leverkusen, now managed by former United boss Erik ten Hag, ‘called’ for the winger according to Romano, but he explained the player wants to stay in the Premier League.

As for a fee, it was reported by TEAMTalk at the end of last week that the Red Devils would expect at least £50m for Garnacho.

Why Garnacho would be a good signing

Despite a tough season at times for Garnacho, there is no doubt he is an exciting talent, described as a “special” player by football statistician Statman Dave. He ended the campaign in strong fashion, too.

The 20-year-old, who has already won three major trophies for club and country, ended 2024/25 with 21 goals and assists to his name in all competitions. He managed that tally in 58 games for United.

In the Premier League, the former Atletico Madrid academy player struggled for consistency. He scored six goals and assisted twice in 36 games. Almost half of those goal involvements, including this stunning strike away to Brentford, came at the end of the season, where Garnacho grabbed four in nine appearances.

Perhaps Garnacho could actually be considered a bigger talent than Chelsea’s other target, Gittens. Make no mistake about it, the England under-21 international is an exciting player. He managed 12 goals and five assists in 48 games for Dortmund last season.

That is, of course, fewer than the numbers Garnacho put up. With that being said, it is worth remembering that the Red Devils’ number 17 played ten more games, although he was far more productive.

On top of that, Garnacho’s contribution to silverware for United has been imperative to their success. He scored in an FA Cup final against Manchester City in 2023/24, showing a relentless nature to press City and then pounce on an error at the back.

There are also standout statistics on FBref which suggest Garnacho is an even bigger talent than Gittens. For example, in all competitions last season, the United winger averaged 1.68 key passes and 5.8 progressive carries per 90 minutes, compared to the Dortmund star’s 1.07 key passes and 5.53 progressive carries each game.

Goals and assists

0.53

0.49

Key passes

1.68

1.07

Progressive passes

2.22

2.13

Progressive carries

5.8

5.53

Ball recoveries

3.95

3.71

Whilst Gittens would be a strong addition to the Chelsea squad, Garnacho is perhaps a far bigger talent. The 20-year-old has three major trophies to his name, all of which he has contributed to, and the underlying numbers show just how deadly he can be.

£50m could be a bargain for Chelsea, if they decide to pursue a move for a player who can add a whole new dimension to their attack.

Their new Joe Cole: Chelsea have now been offered £70m "superstar"

Chelsea are looking for signings to bolster their attack

ByJoe Nuttall Jun 10, 2025

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will be targeting even more success in the 2025/26 campaign after his side failed to clinch the domestic treble this season.

The Hoops won the Scottish Premiership title and the League Cup, beating Rangers on penalties in the final, but they lost to Aberdeen in the final of the SFA Cup last month.

Celtic also reached the play-off round of the Champions League, in which they were knocked out by German outfit Bayern Munich, and they may want to go further in the European competition next term.

The Scottish giants will be in the market to bolster their squad in order to improve their trophy haul next season, and they have already dipped into the market to make one new signing.

Left-back Kieran Tierney will officially sign for the Hoops on a free transfer at the end of the month, when his contract with Premier League side Arsenal expires.

Six years on from his move to The Emirates from Parkhead, the Scotland international is returning to Glasgow to be Brendan Rodgers’ first-choice left-back.

Why Kieran Tierney is a good signing for Celtic

The Scotland international is set to fill a hole for the Scottish giants because Greg Taylor is out of contract and is yet to put pen to paper on an extension at Paradise.

This means that Tierney will walk in as the immediate first-choice left-back to start week-in-week-out when available for the Hoops in the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.

The 28-year-old star could be a terrific addition for the club because, as evidenced in the graphic above, he has already proven that he can deliver in the Premiership, winning five titles during his first spell at Paradise.

Tierney knows what it takes to play for Celtic, having come up through the youth system, and could deliver a big threat as a creator down the left flank, given his 37 assists in 170 matches from a left-back position the first time around.

This suggests that the free transfer could be a very good signing for Celtic, because he is a known quantity who could hit the ground running next season, but there are some concerns over his fitness issues.

24/25

1

160

18

23/24

3

103

21

22/23

0

0

0

21/22

2

116

17

20/21

4

87

19

19/20

1

97

19

18/19

5

140

27

17/18

1

23

5

16/17

1

86

16

As you can see in the table above, Tierney has a less-than-assuring injury history throughout his career, spanning across his time at Celtic, Arsenal, and Real Sociedad.

This means that Rodgers may have to worry about whether or not he will be available week-in-week-out, which may take some of the excitement out of his arrival whilst there are still those concerns.

The Hoops are, however, reportedly on track to complete a deal for a player who would be an even more exciting addition than Tierney this summer.

Celtic expected to sign new forward

According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, FC Nordsjaelland forward Benjamin Nygren is “expected” to complete a move to Celtic in the summer transfer window.

The reporter claims that Belgian giants Anderlecht expect the player to sign for the Scottish Premiership champions, after they held talks with the winger’s agents.

Transfer Focus

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

Anderlecht understand that the 23-year-old attacker has decided to turn down a move to the Pro League in order to link up with the Hoops this summer.

This news is backed up by Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph, who claims that Celtic have agreed terms with the Sweden international, beating off competition from across Europe.

If this move now goes through as expected, Nygren could arrive at Parkhead this summer as an even more exciting signing than Tierney for the club.

Why Benjamin Nygren is more exciting than Kieran Tierney

Positionally, a winger is naturally more exciting than a left-back from a fan perspective, as they are the players who get supporters off their feet by taking defenders on and delivering goals and assists on a regular basis.

At the age of 23, Nygren is also a young player with potential who could grow and develop over the years to come, whilst Tierney is heading into the latter years of his peak at the age of 28. This means that the Swedish star is also more exciting in terms of what he could go on to achieve in a Celtic shirt, and his possible resale value in the future.

The Sweden international, who Danish Scout on X claimed is a “no-brainer” signing for the Hoops, also has the quality on the ball to excite supporters with his play at the top end of the pitch from a right wing position.

xG

10.90

Top 4%

xG on target

16.95

Top 1%

Shots on target

40

Top 1%

Goals

15

Top 1%

xA

5.97

Top 8%

Assists

2

Top 50%

As you can see in the table above, Nygren is a lethal finisher who can outperform the quality of chances that are created for him, as evidenced by his 6.95 xG overperformance based on the quality of his shots on target.

This shows that he would provide an efficient presence in front of goal to find the back of the net on a regular basis for Celtic, which could make him an exciting player for the club as a huge attacking threat.

Nygren’s assist tally of two should be taken into context, too, because he had an xA of 5.97, which suggests that his teammates did not provide enough quality with their finishing.

The winger, who scored 15 goals in 28 Superliga starts, has shown the kind of impact that he can have at the top end of the pitch in domestic football, but also scored an eye-catching five goals in five Conference League matches during the 2023/24 campaign, which shows that he can also deliver on the European stage.

Unlike Tierney, the forward also has a promising injury record. The attacker has only missed 14 matches through injury since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, which means that Celtic can realistically expect count on him to be available most weeks.

McGregor 2.0: Celtic have interest in star who had “perfect” Scotland debut

Celtic could find their next Callum McGregor amid an interest in a Scotland international.

ByDan Emery Jun 14, 2025

Overall, Nygren would be a more exciting signing than Tierney for Celtic due to his style of play, as a winger, his age profile and potential, his injury history, and his impressive statistics in Denmark.