Enzo Maresca has made it desperately obvious that he wants a new striker at Chelsea this summer, constantly targeting a new talisman after taking the reins 12 months ago.

The Italian has been working tirelessly to land a new forward, potentially having the chance to end his hunt during the upcoming transfer window – aiding their Premier League title ambitions.

Nicolas Jackson has been the Blues’ main option at the top end of the pitch in 2024/25, but has struggled with injuries as of late, massively restricting his progress in the final third.

The Senegalese international has scored 10 league goals to date, but could’ve certainly had more had he not missed six games through injury between February and April.

Despite his impressive goalscoring record, it’s evident that the boss wants another option ahead of 2025/26, leading to countless attackers being touted with a switch to Stamford Bridge in the coming months.

The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for a new striker

Victor Osimhen was a player firmly on Chelsea’s radar last summer, but the club were unable to secure a deal to land him from Napoli – subsequently joining Galatasaray on loan for the current season.

However, with such a deal coming to an end, the Blues have once again been touted with a switch for the Nigerian, with Manchester United and Nottingham Forest also in the race for his signature.

It would be a hefty sum if they were to sign the 26-year-old, potentially leading to a move for another striker target in the form of Strasbourg forward Emanuel Emegha, according to TBR.

The report claims that the Dutchman, who plies his trade for the Blues’ sister club, has been on their radar and has impressed the staff behind the scenes at the Bridge.

It also goes on to state that he would provide an added body to Maresca in the final third, potentially nailing a regular role in the side given his record of 14 goals in 28 games this season.

Why Chelsea’s latest target would be better than Delap

Another player who’s been firmly on their radar to bolster the striker department is Ipswich Town talisman Liam Delap, who appears to be a man in demand this summer.

The 22-year-old, who’s scored 12 goals in the Premier League this year, has a £30m relegation release clause in his contract – coming into effect after the Tractor Boys dropped back into the Championship.

The Blues aren’t the only side in the race for his signature, with Manchester United, Everton, Newcastle United and Liverpool also credited with an interest in recent days.

However, despite the interest in Delap ahead of the upcoming window, they may be better off pursuing a deal for Emegha, with the sister club potentially playing a key role in their pursuit.

When comparing the pair’s respective stats from the 2024/25 campaign, the Strasbourg star has managed to dominate the Ipswich forward in numerous key areas – showing why the Blues must prioritise a deal for his services.

How Emegha compares to Delap in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)	Emegha	Delap
Games played	26	33
Goals scored	14	12
Shot-on-target accuracy	57%	43%
Pass accuracy	81%	61%
Shots on target	1.4	1
Carries into penalty area	1.3	1
Aerials won	44%	43%
Stats via FBref

Emegha, who’s been labelled “phenomenal” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has scored more goals to date, whilst also notching a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – showcasing his clinical nature in the final third.

He’s also managed to complete more of the passes he’s attempted, whilst coming out on top in more of the aerial battles he’s entered – handing Maresca that focal point which he’s craved since arriving at the club.

Given the fact that he currently plays for Strasbourg, a cost-effective deal could likely be agreed, offering a cheaper alternative to Delap – but one that would be a better fit for the team, as seen by the stats produced.

If the club are to keep progressing next season, a new talisman desperately needs to be their priority on any shortlist, with Emegha the man who could take responsibility and thrive at the top end of the pitch.

Imagine him & Estevao: Chelsea plot to sign £38m star in the "Palmer mould"

Chelsea are hoping to add another young star to their squad, following the capture of Estevao

By
Joe Nuttall

May 1, 2025

With Emiliano Martinez seemingly bidding a tearful farewell to Villa Park last week, Aston Villa have reportedly been given the green light to sign a Premier League-winning shot-stopper.

Aston Villa's goalkeeper search continues

All signs are pointing towards the end for Aston Villa and Martinez after he was pictured saying an emotional goodbye to the home fans following victory over Tottenham Hotspur last time out. Unai Emery also failed to rule out an exit for the goalkeeper to only add to the belief that the Argentine will be playing his football elsewhere next season.

The Villa boss told reporters: “We will see. Of course, it is the last match here [this season], and I don’t know. We will see about the team, the players, but of course, they are responding on the field.”

Ever since that potential goodbye, the rumours have been circling. Both Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have already been linked with moves for Martinez, whilst Villa themselves have set their sights on replacing their No.1.

Names such as Lucas Chevalier have already been mentioned in what would certainly be an excellent move for both the LOSC Lille star and those at Villa Park. One of the most promising young goalkeepers around, the big question will be whether the Villans can win the race for his signature.

Meanwhile, Espanyol’s Joan Garcia is also a name that has been in the headlines as of late. The talented goalkeeper, like Chevalier, has been fantastic this season and is one of only a few options who could seamlessly replace Martinez in the Midlands.

Amid competition for both of those players, however, Villa may yet turn to an option far closer to home amid reports that they’ve been handed a major boost in pursuit of a Premier League-winning goalkeeper ahead of the summer window.

Aston Villa receive green light to sign Kelleher

According to Football Insider, Aston Villa have now been given the green light to sign Caoimhin Kelleher by his current club, Liverpool. The Reds have Giorgi Mamardashvili on his way and already have Alisson Becker to call on, meaning that the door has swung open for Kelleher to depart.

Already thought to be high on Villa’s list of targets, the Irishman will leave Merseyside somewhat of a cult hero, having often stepped up in place of Alisson amid his injury issues, and particularly starred whenever given the opportunity to feature in a number of Wembley finals.

However, he is now ready to become an undisputed No 1, with the latest claims suggesting that Liverpool “will accept the right offer” for Kelleher should one come forward.

Starts

10

36

Saves per 90

2.40

2.60

Save percentage

67.6%

67.9%

Clean sheets

4

8

When compared, it’s clear that the Liverpool man would not be a significant downgrade on Martinez. In fact, at 26 years old, there’s an argument to be made that Kelleher could yet become better than the Argentine shot-stopper if he pushes on from here in the coming years.

Aston Villa in pole position after talks to sign "powerful" 18 y/o sensation

He’s a rising star.

ByTom Cunningham May 22, 2025

Dubbed “fantastic” by Premier League legend David Seaman following last season’s Carabao Cup final display, Kelleher has been ready to take hold of the opportunity that Aston Villa may hand him for some time.

The bad news is that Arsenal’s campaign is set to end trophyless for a fifth year running; the good news is that there are only three games left until it’s over.

Mikel Arteta’s side had the chance to make it to only the second Champions League final in the club’s history on Wednesday night, but despite their fast start, they couldn’t get over the line.

Perhaps things would have been a little different if Kai Havertz had been fit and leading the line; as for all the criticism he gets, the German remains the club’s top scorer this season, even though he hasn’t played since early February.

However, even though he’s not been too bad when fit this season, he may well find his minutes reduced next year, as, based on reports, the club are looking at a striker who might just be an upgrade.

Arsenal's striker search

With the striker position being such a clear area to address, Arsenal have been linked with a plethora of incredible strikers in recent months, such as Jonathan David and Viktor Gyokeres.

Transfer Focus

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

The former has scored 25 goals and provided 12 assists in 47 games this season, and best of all would be available for free, as his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Gyokeres, on the other hand, could cost a whopping £70m, although as he’s managed to score a staggering 52 goals and provide 12 assists in 49 games for Sporting CP, that may well be a fair price.

However, if Arteta and Co want to spend more money on other positions in the team, they might opt for a cheaper but still effective striker to come in, which would explain the interest in Evann Guessand.

According to a recent report from Caught Offside, Arsenal are one of several sides interested in signing the French forward.

Alongside the Gunners, the report has revealed that West Ham United, Aston Villa and Newcastle United have sent scouts to watch him in recent games, while other stories have also credited Manchester United with an interest in the 23-year-old.

A potential price is not revealed in the report, but according to other stories from the start of the year, he could be available for around £25m, which would make this potential transfer feel like a no-brainer, especially as he could be an upgrade on Havertz.

How Guessand compares to Havertz

Now, while Guessand is more than capable of playing off the right of a front three, it seems incredibly unlikely that he would ever start there ahead of Saka.

So, were he to join Arsenal in the summer, he’d almost certainly be played down the middle, in turn putting him up against Havertz for game time, but who’s the better player?

Well, when we look at their raw output, it’s incredibly close.

For example, when looking at all competitions, the German has scored 15 goals and provided five assists in 34 games, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.7 games.

This is marginally better than the Nice ace, as his 12 goals and nine assists in 40 appearances come out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.90 games.

However, when we take a look at their league records, their bread and butter, it’s the Frenchman who comes ahead, with 11 goals and eight assists in 31 appearances to the Aachen-born star’s nine goals and three assists in 21 appearances, coming out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.63 and 1.75 league games respectively.

Interesting, and quite crucially, while there isn’t much to separate them regarding their output, things start to look a lot better for the “unpredictable” 23-year-old, as dubbed by The Athletic’s Alex Barker, when we take a look under the hood, at their underlying numbers.

Non-Penalty G+As

0.67

0.59

Progressive Passes

2.85

2.89

Progressive Carries

3.11

1.67

Goals per Shot

0.19

0.17

Goals per Shot on Target

0.44

0.43

Passing Accuracy

74.0%

78.5%

Expected Assists

0.17

0.08

Key Passes

1.11

0.78

Passes into the Final Third

1.70

1.27

Passes into the Penalty Area

0.96

0.39

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.15

0.05

Shot-Creating Actions

3.19

2.01

Goal-Creating Actions

0.56

0.15

Successful Take-Ons

1.59

0.44

Ball Recoveries

3.52

1.91

In almost every relevant metric, the Ajaccio-born poacher comes out on top, metrics including, but not limited to, non-penalty goals plus assists, expected assists, progressive carries, goals per shot and shot on target, shot and goal-creating actions, successful take-ons, key passes and more, all per 90.

So, while their output is somewhat similar at the moment, the Nice gem has far better underlying numbers, so it wouldn’t be unrealistic to expect his goal and assist tallies to dramatically improve if he was in a better team.

Ultimately, Guessand is already a great forward, and with his age and the price tag, signing him this summer feels like a no-brainer for Arsenal, even if it could be bad news for Havertz’s future game time.

Arsenal line up move for PSG star who'd be a big upgrade on Martinelli

The incredibly entertaining international is just what Arsenal need this summer.

ByJack Salveson Holmes May 8, 2025

On the final day of the 2024/25 Premier League season, Newcastle United sealed a place in next year’s Champions League.

It was the perfect icing on the cake, and well deserved at that. Eddie Howe exhumed the demons of recent years in winning the Carabao Cup and responding to last year’s European heartache by clinching the fifth spot in the standings, and now has the power to target some big names.

Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is the top target for the Magpies’ attack, fitting the bill as a prolific and Prem-proven right-sided forward, but Manchester United are also very keen, and a fallback will be needed to prevent a repeat of the previous summer window.

Well, Paul Mitchell might have left his position as sporting director at St. James’ Park, but Newcastle are uniform in their desire to make this a summer to remember, with an Mbeumo alternative already lined up.

Newcastle exploring move for PL star

According to Football Insider, Newcastle are closely monitoring Mohammed Kudus’ situation at West Ham United, with the Ghanaian winger expected to leave east London in the coming months.

Transfer Focus

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

It’s previously been claimed by the BBC that Graham Potter could move to sell Kudus this summer to create funds for investment, and United will need to act quickly, given there is concrete interest from the Saudi Pro League.

As per Football Insider’s report, the former Ajax man featured highly on the Magpies’ shortlist, with the St James’ Park outfit said to be ‘exploring a move’ for his signature.

It’s been a difficult campaign for the 24-year-old and for West Ham, so while he has an £85m release clause, suitors are ready to offer something in the ballpark of £50m.

What Mohammed Kudus would bring to Newcastle

Described as a “generational talent” by journalist Gary Al-Smith in the past, Kudus is one of the most powerful and physical wingers in the world, but he’s struggled to perform throughout a turbulent West Ham season.

With just five goals this season and 19 from 80 total matches as a Hammer, Newcastle wouldn’t be signing a player with the prolific track record of Mbeumo, who bagged 20 goals from 38 Premier League matches for Brentford this season, placing him behind only Alexander Isak, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah.

But Kudus offers a singular threat, with his ball-carrying ability sure to add an exciting dimension to a fluent, trophy-winning team stepping back onto Europe’s elite stage.

Isak is one of the, if not the, most clinical goalscorers on the continent, and Anthony Gordon knows where the back of the net is too. Kudus, indeed, has a prolific vein in his locker, but the London Stadium hasn’t been the right ground for him to discover his finest streak.

Matches (starts)

33 (27)

32 (31)

Goals

8

5

Assists

6

3

Shots (on target)*

2.0 (0.5)

2.3 (0.7)

Pass completion

84%

90%

Big chances created

5

4

Key passes*

0.8

1.0

Dribbles*

3.8

2.9

Ball recoveries*

6.4

4.3

Tackles*

2.0

1.3

Duels won*

8.5

6.4

As you can see, Kudus has endured a less profitable season than last, but he’s still an excellent player, offering a range of qualities, and could go from strength to strength in Howe’s system.

It’s unlikely he would hit the same clinical form as Mbeumo, but Kudus would bring his own take on the winger’s game, stretching and snapping backlines while adding a dynamic threat.

As per FBref, the £90k-per-week talent ranks among the top 6% of positional peers across Europe’s top five leagues this season for pass completion and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90, so it’s hardly as if he hasn’t offered significant qualities to a struggling Irons side.

There’s a different breed of fluency and togetherness about Howe’s Newcastle, who were the fourth-highest scorers with 68 strikes.

Newcastle have, after all, felt the full force of Kudus’ ball-striking ability when he’s on his A-game.

Signing Kudus would be something of a risk, but Howe’s tactical skills and high demands would compel Kudus to work as hard as he ever has, probably harder.

If Newcastle can get the finest version of the speedy star performing at St. James’ Park, week in, week out, it could be a stunning capture, one which could elevate the team just as high as if Mbeumo had arrived instead.

Better than Mbeumo: Newcastle make "terrifyingly good" £67m ace a key target

Newcastle are in the market for a new winger, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo among those being mooted.

ByJoe Nuttall May 28, 2025

Nottingham Forest have exceeded expectations this season and could be about to launch an ambitious bid in the transfer window for a renowned Premier League operator, according to a report.

Nottingham Forest look forward to exciting summer

Nuno Espirito Santo has restored his reputation as one of the most underrated coaches in the Premier League after guiding Nottingham Forest to continental qualification at the City Ground.

Coming as a surprise to many in footballing circles, their culture of shrewd investments and building a side capable of going the extra mile is likely to be key once again as they enter the market in pursuit of new recruits.

Fitting the bill, Nottingham Forest have lined up an exciting move for Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Martin Baturina to help bolster their chances of encountering another fine campaign next time around.

Coming in for a potential fee of £21 million, the Croatia international’s arrival would be a major signal of intent in light of an 18-goal contribution season in his homeland.

On the same token, Lazio forward Taty Castellanos is also said to be on Nottingham Forest’s radar amid news that he could be available to depart the Stadio Olimpico should a suitable offer for his services come forward.

Related Nottingham Forest now evaluating summer move to sign "superb" Serie A star

He could become the heir to Chris Wood’s Forest throne.

Posts ByTom Cunningham May 22, 2025

West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers will provide competition, but the Tricky Trees will feel confident they can prevail due to their European status. Undoubtedly, rival suitors for key targets will present a challenging market space for every ambitious manager looking for fresh blood.

Either way, Nottingham Forest have found plenty of diamonds over the past few years, so it won’t come as a surprise to hear that they are now in the mix for another talented operator.

Nottingham Forest line up surprise £35m Matheus Nunes deal

According to The Sun, Nottingham Forest are lining up a move for Manchester City star Matheus Nunes amid the Citizens’ pursuit of Morgan Gibbs-White that could see the England international head in the opposite direction. It is added that City are ready to cut their losses on Nunes and value him at £35m.

Espirito Santo is a ‘big fan’ of the Portuguese central midfielder, who has also operated as a right-back this term due to a shortage of options at Pep Guardiola’s disposal.

Matheus Nunes for Manchester City in 2024/25 – all competitions

Appearances

38

Goals

4

Assists

10

Trophies

FA Community Shield winner

Despite a disappointing campaign for Manchester City as a whole, his impressive goal contribution tally lends some credence to the notion that Nunes could replace Gibbs-White if the latter were to depart this summer.

Labelled “special” by Guardiola, it is believed that the former Wolves man could be a useful ‘bargaining chip’ in any cross-negotiations, potentially feeding into the scope for a PSR-friendly agreement to be found between all parties.

Nevertheless, time will tell on that front. Nottingham Forest have emerged as one of the more ambitious forces in English football of late, and securing Nunes on a permanent basis would heighten their status in that bracket.

Leeds United will be playing Premier League football next season and will be aiming to buck the recent trend of newly-promoted teams going straight back down.

All three of the promoted sides from the Championship have been relegated in each of the last two seasons, including Southampton, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town this term.

The Whites know that they need to recruit well for Daniel Farke to build a squad that is capable of competing in the Premier League week-in-week-out in the 2025/26 campaign.

Leeds won the Championship title with a 2-1 win over Plymouth Argyle on the final day earlier this month, hitting a century of points in the process, but that achievement does not mean that they already have a squad that is ready for the top-flight.

There is, obviously, a gap in quality between the Premier League and the Championship, and Whites star Dan James is, perhaps, the best example of that, given the difference in his output in the top-flight and the second tier.

Why Dan James may not be ready to star in the Premier League

The Wales international was named the club’s 2024/25 Player of the Year recently after another impressive season from the right-sided attacker under Farke.

James racked up 12 goals and nine assists in 36 appearances in the Championship to help the Whites on their way to 100 points and the league title, which shows that he provided a consistent threat as both a scorer and a creator of goals on the right flank.

The 27-year-old speedster also caught the eye with his contributions at the top end of the pitch in the 2023/24 campaign, with a return of 13 goals, 13 ‘big chances’ created, and seven assists in 43 appearances in the second tier.

This means that James has scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists in the Championship since the start of last season, which is a fantastic haul and proves that he has been a star for Farke in the final third.

Dan James (Premier League)	21/22 (Leeds)	22/23 (Fulham)
Appearances	34	24
Goals	4	2
Big chances created	5	3
Key passes per game	0.8	0.4
Assists	4	1
Dribbles completed per game	0.6	0.3
Stats via Sofascore

However, as you can see in the table above, the Welsh attacker’s last two seasons in the Premier League suggest that he may not be able to replicate that kind of form for the Whites next term.

James failed to provide consistent quality at the top end of the pitch for Fulham and Leeds in those two campaigns, and it remains to be seen whether or not he will be able to show a better version of himself in the top-flight this time around.

This is why the former Manchester United forward may not be a star for Leeds next season, despite his form this year, and that is why a fresh report on the club’s interest in a new winger is good news for Farke.

Leeds eyeing deal for Bundesliga forward

According to Foot Mercato, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs interested in a deal to sign Borussia Monchengladbach winger Franck Honorat in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that OGC Nice and Freiburg are also keen on the 28-year-old attacker, who moved to the Bundesliga from Stade Brest in the summer of 2023.

Transfer Focus

This means that there could be plenty of competition to land his services ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, as Farke lines up a raid on his former club, having managed Gladbach between 2022 and 2023.

The German boss moved on from the club before Honorat arrived in the summer of 2023, though, so there will not be any advantage for Leeds from that perspective.

Foot Mercato does not reveal how much money it would take for Gladbach to consider selling the experienced forward, but the Whites should press ahead with a move for the star because he could be an even better option than Dan James in the Premier League next season.

Why Franck Honorat could be a better option than Dan James

As aforementioned, the current Leeds star has failed to prove that he has the quality to perform consistently in the top-flight of English football in his previous seasons at that level.

James is an undoubted talent in the Championship but his output in the Premier League in the past is a concern ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, as he may not have what it takes to fire the Whites to safety with goals and assists on a regular basis.

Honorat, however, has already proven that he can deliver impressive performances in two of Europe’s top five leagues, as shown by his form for Stade Brest in Ligue 1 and for Gladbach in the Bundesliga.

During his time in France, the 28-year-old attacker produced 25 goals and 16 assists in 103 Ligue 1 matches for Stade Brest, with at least six goals and five assists in all three of his league seasons there.

His form in Ligue 1 led to a move to Gladbach on a permanent deal in the summer of 2023, and the French star has proven himself in the Bundesliga in the last two seasons.

Franck Honorat (Bundesliga)	23/24	24/25
Appearances	32	17
Goals	3	4
Big chances created	19	12
Key passes per game	2.8	2.5
Assists	9	7
Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, the Leeds target has created a staggering 31 ‘big chances’ in 49 appearances in the Bundesliga for his current club, whilst James created eight ‘big chances’ in 58 games in his last two seasons in the Premier League.

Honorat, who was described as “fast” by Gladbach sporting director Roland Virkus, has proven himself to be an exceptional creative force on the wing for both Gladbach and Stade Brest in Europe over the past five seasons, which suggests that he has the quality to make the step over to the Premier League.

The 28-year-old star has already proven that he has the ability to deliver consistent quality in the final third in France and Germany, whilst James is yet to prove himself in any major leagues, and that is why he could be even better than the Welsh forward for Farke next season.

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The Leeds United man who played less than Isaac Schmidt should be let go this summer.

By
Dan Emery

May 8, 2025

Honorat could improve the club’s chances of avoiding instant relegation to the Championship because his statistics suggest that he is more likely to be a difference-maker who can win vital points for Leeds with goals and assists than Dan James is.

Celtic are taking stock ahead of another busy transfer window and could now be set to field interest in one of their star players from the Premier League, according to a report.

Celtic set to pursue reinforcements in the wide areas

By now, everyone knows that Celtic are in the market to buy a striker this summer and several names have began to crop up on their radar to address the position, including Telstar forward Youssef El Kachati.

However, their pursuit of a winger over the coming months is arguably just as important, especially when you factor in that Jota is a long-term injury casualty at Parkhead.

The iconic Portuguese winger is set to be out for another six months, give or take, meaning there is plenty of room to secure another body or two to prop up Brendan Rodgers’ range of options.

Sarpsborg talent Sondre Orjasaeter was a Celtic target in January and there is every chance the reigning Scottish champions could return to bid for the Norwegian during the window, albeit he won’t be the only name on their shortlist.

Royal Antwerp’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha has also been mentioned in connection with a move to Glasgow and could be available due to his current employers’ wish to cut costs drastically during the summer.

Jeremie Frimpong repeat: Celtic eyeing move for "outstanding" £1m star

Celtic are lining up a move for an English full-back who could be a repeat of Jeremie Frimpong.

ByDan Emery Jun 2, 2025

Daizen Maeda had to feature out wide and as a centre-forward during the second half of the campaign, and it would be wise for Rodgers to provide cover for the Japanese attacker in light of his extraordinary 33-goal campaign for the Bhoys.

Nevertheless, Celtic are also aware that everyone has their price; something that could now be put to the test if recent developments are to be believed.

Brentford emerge as frontrunners to sign Nicolas Kuhn

According to TEAMtalk, Brentford are now frontrunners to sign Nicolas Kuhn from Celtic as they search for potential replacements in light of developments that could point Bryan Mbeumo in the direction of Manchester United, while he also has interest from Arsenal.

The outlet claim a bid of around £20 million could be difficult to reject for the Bhoys, who have made a habit of regularly selling players for profit down the years.

Nicolas Kuhn’s 2024/25 campaign – all competitions

Appearances

51

Goals

21

Assists

15

Mbeumo could be set for Old Trafford if the Red Devils pay in excess of £60 million, and Brentford have turned their attention to the former Germany Under-20 international alongside Brighton & Hove Albion and three other unnamed English top-flight clubs.

Fashioning 52 chances on Scottish Premiership duty, Kuhn was a thorn in the side of opposition defences and has previously been labelled “breathtaking” by Marvin Bartley due to his excellent attacking displays.

Celtic won’t want to lose one of their prize assets. However, they usually do make a signature sale at this time of year, so it is a scenario that cannot be ruled out.

Liverpool won the title in stunning fashion just a few weeks ago, soaring far above Arsenal and Manchester City.

Since then, it’s been a tale of both woe and excitement as far as the transfer window is concerned.

The market isn’t even open yet, but it has been a hubbub of activity at Anfield with Trent Alexander-Arnold announcing his decision to leave and a swift replacement now set to arrive in the form of Jeremie Frimpong.

But, their dealings with Bayer Leverkusen may not stop there with Florian Wirtz a priority target too.

The latest on Liverpool's pursuit of Florian Wirtz

News broke earlier in the week, courtesy of The Athletic’s David Ornstein, that Liverpool are interested in signing Wirtz this summer.

Yet, there are some complications, not least that he could cost over £100m, but the fact that Bayern Munich (the current favourites) and Manchester City also want to acquire his signature over the forthcoming weeks.

It’s said that Leverkusen would rather sell abroad – understandable given their recent title rivalry with Bayern.

According to reports, Wirtz has spoken to Slot but whether he can convince the German to move to Anfield just as he did with Frimpong remains to be seen.

Liverpool's finest Wirtz alternative

As a result, the Reds may turn their attentions elsewhere. Reports have suggested that the out-of-contract Kevin De Bruyne is one option, while other claims indicate Lyon’s Rayan Cherki wants to move to the Premier League 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.

Another option could be Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono who currently plays for River Plate in his homeland.

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Manchester United have already held talks over signing the 17-year-old, potentially set to trigger his £38m release clause.

Despite United’s huge interest in the player, the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool have also cast their eyes in the direction of the attacking midfielder.

How Mastantuono compares to Wirtz

It goes without saying that Wirtz would be the better addition at this current moment in time. However, for a fraction of the price, Slot could sign a very similar player who potentially has an even brighter future in the game.

In the words of data analyst Ben Mattinson, Mastantuono has a “wand of a left foot able to unlock defences and create moments of magic”. Capable of playing off the right and through the middle, it’s clear to see where the Wirtz comparisons emerge from.

The German superstar is also left-footed, someone capable of playing off the right or behind the striker. He has been nothing short of sensational this term, scoring 16 goals and supplying 15 assists in 45 outings, a goal involvement every 1.4 games.

By way of comparison, Mastantuono six goals and four assists in 17 matches in 2025, a contribution every 1.7 matches. For someone so young, that’s a fantastic return.

At the same age, Wirtz was also making strong headway in the professional game. In the 2020/21 season, the young German caught the eye by scoring five times and assisting six in 29 matches.

Mastantuono may not be doing that in Europe just yet, but the “special, special talent” in the words of Mattinson has all the tools to become a genuine elite talent.

Further hailed as a “world-class talent” by scout Jacek Kulig, the Argentine stacks up well compared to his older positional peer.

Mastantuono vs Wirtz
Stat (per 90 mins)	Mastantuono	Wirtz
Goals	0.36	0.38
Assists	0.38	0.46
Shots	4.94	2.84
Key passes	2.77	2.18
Progressive passes	3.37	6.74
Shot-creating actions	6.87	5.67
Successful take-ons	3.73	3.14
Progressive carries	4.94	5.02
Stats via FBRef.

While Wirtz’s output for goals and assists is currently better, you can see the sheer level of potential that the River Plate starlet has here.

Despite his raw age, he’s already having more shots per 90 minutes and his rate of shot-creating actions are through the roof.

He will only continue to get better and once he matures and develops further, this is a goal and assist machine in the making. Let’s just say he could rival Wirtz for one of the best attacking midfielders in the game in a few years’ time.

He'd be their best CM since Fabinho: Liverpool plan bid for £60m "machine"

Arne Slot is looking to strengthen his Liverpool side in the transfer market this summer.

2

By
Angus Sinclair

May 18, 2025

Glasgow Rangers ended their 2024/25 campaign in the same fashion as how it started; failing to win in Edinburgh.

In August, the Ibrox side could only draw 0-0 against Hearts at Tynecastle, making it the second season in a row where they failed to win the opening match of the Premiership season.

This afternoon, Rangers could only draw 2-2 with Hibernian at Easter Road to end arguably the worst season in the club’s recent history.

Goals from Cyriel Dessers and Nicolas Raskin gave the Gers a 2-1 advantage. A blatantly obvious goal wasn’t awarded when the score was tied at 1-1, despite the ball crossing the Hibs’ line by at least a foot.

Martin Boyle equalised with 25 minutes left, and both teams were forced to take a share of the spoils.

Jack Butland conceded another two goals, and it would be a surprise to see him still at the club next season.

Jack Butland’s future is uncertain at Rangers

The Englishman’s drop-off in form this season has been alarming, to say the least. Across 44 matches in all competitions, Butland has kept only 14 clean sheets, conceding 51 goals in the process.

He has conceded two or more goals in ten of his 28 league matches, and it is clear that the ‘keeper may have potentially played his final game for the club against Hibs.

Butland should have done better for Kieran Bowie’s effort to make it 1-1, while he misjudged a cross into the box, which meant Martin Boyle had plenty of room to make it 2-2, and failed to prove that Ferguson was wrong to drop him for Liam Kelly in recent weeks.

He isn’t the only player who must depart Ibrox this summer, as plenty of others in the first-team squad will likely be moved on by whoever becomes the club’s permanent manager.

Clean sheets

10

Accurate passes per 90

21.4

Touches per 90

37.1

Possession lost per 90

6.3

Errors leading to goal

2

Saves per 90

2.2 (66%)

Tom Lawrence must be top of the list, and he proved exactly why during his cameo today.

Rangers must release Tom Lawrence

Across his three full seasons in Glasgow, Lawrence has missed 75 games due to injury issues. During that time period, the Welshman has scored only 12 goals for Rangers.

Earning £22k-per-week, it is evident that the club could be spending this sort of money elsewhere in the squad.

He came on for Mohamed Diomande with 35 minutes left against Hibs, but he failed to solidify the midfield as the Gers chased three points, and he must, now, never play for the Gers again.

The midfielder took just 15 touches, completed eight passes, lost possession four times, and failed to register a single dribble or shot on goal.

Why he was given a runout is questionable, especially with several youngsters on the bench looking to gain much-needed game time heading into the 2025/26 campaign.

Hopefully, the new manager releases the former Derby County star in the summer, as he certainly isn’t of the required quality to help the Glasgow side challenge Celtic domestically next season and has not proven himself to be reliable in terms of availability, as shown by his injury record.

It will be a summer of change at Ibrox. The question is, will it be enough to wrestle back the Premiership crown after four years away?

49ers now plotting bargain Rangers move to sign "strong" Premier League ace

He could be their first arrival of the summer.

ByTom Cunningham May 17, 2025

Wolverhampton Wanderers have turned their attention towards the summer window and now have a versatile star on their radar that could be available for a modest fee, according to a report.

Wolverhampton Wanderers enter life without Matheus Cunha

Vitor Pereira deserves immense credit for preserving Wolves’ top-flight status since arriving at Molineux. However, the 56-year-old will be the first to admit that their successful survival mission wouldn’t have been possible without Matheus Cunha.

The Brazil international netted 15 goals in 33 Premier League appearances, all from open play, which will heighten the importance of finding a replacement for the classy forward amid his £62.5 million move to Manchester United.

In the midst of their hunt for reinforcements, Wolves are considering bringing former Al Shabab sporting director Domenico Teti to Molineux as part of a shake-up in their recruitment department.

Matt Hobbs has left the club and talks are underway to secure the 48-year-old as their new technical director. He has also occupied roles at Verona, Sampdoria, Lugano and Apoel Nicosia and would arrive with a vast knowledge of European and Asian markets.

Old Gold full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri appears set for a move to Manchester City, leading Wolves to pursue Brondby youngster Clement Bischoff as a direct successor due to his versatility across the left flank.

Romano: Wolves make approach to sign "highly rated" gem wanted in Europe

The Old Gold are making moves for the future…

BySean Markus Clifford May 30, 2025

Despite avoiding the drop, the summer window will be one of change for Pereira’s men. Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss is also on their radar; nevertheless, it remains to be seen how the landscape lies when it comes to new faces in the West Midlands.

Now, another exciting figure who could help replace Cunha’s end product has come to the attention of the Wolves hierarchy, per recent reports.

Wolves battling to sign Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche

According to reports in Spain via Sport Witness, Wolves are in a three-way battle to sign Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche, who can also feature as a second striker or centre-forward.

Leeds United and Brentford are also keen on the Nigeria international – he has a release clause in his current deal at the La Liga side that can be triggered for £21 million this summer.

Christantus Uche’s statistics at Getafe – La Liga (Sofascore)

Shots per game

1.5

Tackles per game

1.1

Goalscoring frequency

625 minutes

Big chances created

7

Key passes per game

0.9

Dubbed “fabulous” by boss Jose Bordelas, the 22-year-old registered four goals and seven assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this term.

Earning international recognition for the first time this year, Uche is clearly a rising star and has previously been tracked by Chelsea due to his progress.

Cunha’s departure may mean that more than one solution is required to replicate his influence at Molinuex, but Wolves supporters can take solace from the fact that they are already scoping out the market for quality reinforcements.