All posts by z3u9t.icu

Leeds United will need to bolster their squad to give themselves a fighting chance of avoiding an instant relegation from the Premier League next season.

One area of the pitch in which the Whites are set to strengthen is their attack, after Football Insider reported that the club have doubts over Joel Piroe’s suitability for the top-flight.

The Dutch forward, who scored four goals in one half against Stoke City last month, won the Golden Boot with 19 goals in 46 matches in the Championship, but may not have the physicality for the Premier League.

Piroe lost a whopping 73% of his duels with opposition defenders in the second tier, which does not suggest that he would fare particularly well out of possession against top-flight centre-backs.

It was recently reported that the 49ers are eyeing up a summer swoop for Everton centre-forward Beto to bolster their options in the number nine position, which means that the Premier League attacker could take Piroe’s place in the starting XI next season.

Why Beto could be a good signing for Leeds

The Portugal international could be an excellent addition to the squad as an upgrade on the Dutch marksman because he has the technical and finishing qualities to be an effective top-flight performer, whilst also having the physical attributes to thrive at that level.

Of course, Beto is currently playing in the Premier League with Everton, which means that Leeds would be signing a player who has already been there and done it in the division, whilst Piroe is yet to play a top-flight game in his career.

The Toffees marksman is particularly impressive out of possession in comparison to the current Leeds forward, as evidenced by his physical data in the 2024/25 campaign to date.

Appearances

28

46

Ground duels won per game

1.8

1.0

Ground duel success rate

38%

33%

Aerial duels won per game

3.1

0.7

Aerial duel success rate

48%

21%

As you can see in the table above, Beto wins far more duels per game, and with a greater success rate, particularly in the air, which shows that he is significantly more reliable for his team out of possession.

This suggests that the Everton forward would be far more suited to a team battling against relegation, fighting against the odds, week-in-week-out, than Piroe, who was too weak in the Championship, would be.

Beto is not just a physical presence, though, as he has also scored eight goals from 6.63 xG in 13 starts in the Premier League, which shows that he has been an effective and clinical finisher who could provide a reliable option in the final third for Daniel Farke next season.

The Everton striker is not the only attacking addition who could come through the doors at Elland Road, though, as there has been an update on Manor Solomon’s situation.

The latest news on Manor Solomon

According to a fresh report from TEAMtalk, the Tottenham Hotspur attacker is open to holding talks with Leeds United over a permanent move to the club in the upcoming summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Israel international would like to speak with the Whites over another transfer to West Yorkshire because he ‘loved’ his time on loan in the 2024/25 campaign.

Transfer Focus

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

This update from TEAMtalk came as a reaction to a report from Sky Sports Switzerland last week that claimed Marseille are interested in signing the winger from Spurs. That outlet added, at the time, that it would take a fee of roughly £17m to sign the forward from the Premier League side.

TEAMtalk’s latest update states that Solomon would still be keen on talks with Leeds over another move to the club, despite the reported interest from the Ligue 1 giants, which should come as good news to Farke and his staff.

Leeds must, now, press ahead with a swoop for the Spurs loanee because he could be the perfect winger to provide Beto with the service he needs, should the Whites also land a deal for the Everton marksman.

Why Solomon would be perfect for Beto

The Portuguese striker has scored two headed goals, five right-footed goals, and one with his left foot, which shows that the forward is more than capable in the air and can score a variety of goals.

Solomon could be the perfect winger for the striker because he has the ability to consistently create high-quality chances for his teammates, and can create different types of chances, from crosses, passes, and through balls.

The Spurs loanee was a superstar in the Championship for the majority of his time on loan at Elland Road, and his quality was pointed out by a former Leeds boss fairly quickly.

Early on in the 2024/25 campaign, Neil Redfearn hailed the winger’s ability, saying: “He’s got a quality that is better than this level, you can obviously see that. Initially in the first 20 minutes it was like tackling smoke. He was unplayable at times.”

Appearances

39

xG

8.15

Goals

10

Key passes per game

1.7

Big chances created

21

Assists

12

As you can see in the table above, Solomon backed up that praise by ending the season with a staggering haul of 31 goals and ‘big chances’ created in 39 appearances in the league for Leeds.

A return of 21 ‘big chances’ created in 39 matches speaks to his ability to consistently unlock opposition defences in different ways, as they were unable to stop him because of the variation in his game.

As you can see in the highlights above, the £17m-rated whiz has the ability to burst down the line to deliver teasing crosses into the box, which could be perfect for a physical forward who looks to get ahead of defenders to bundle the ball in, as he brilliantly assisted Mateo Joseph’s strike.

This suggests that Solomon would be a dream for Beto because he has the quality to ensure that the striker constantly has service in the box, giving him plenty of opportunities to find the back of the net in the Premier League.

Therefore, the 49ers must push to get deals over the line for the Spurs and Everton attackers in the upcoming summer transfer window, in order to give Farke and his team the best possible chance of avoiding an instant relegation back down to the Championship.

Leeds could seal best striker signing since Wood with move for 20-goal star

Leeds could land their best striker signing since Chris Wood in a swoop for this star.

ByDan Emery May 7, 2025

Celtic are taking some time to assess where they need to strengthen in the transfer market and are now looking to close in on a talented young star who could improve their backline, according to a report.

Celtic's left-back situation remains in a state of flux

Although there hasn’t been an official parade of Kieran Tierney back at Parkhead yet, the Scotland international is returning to Celtic on a free transfer after his Arsenal contract expires.

Brendan Rodgers will be delighted to secure the services of a modern-day club icon who won eight trophies during his first spell at the reigning Scottish Premiership champions, but who will provide competition for the 27-year-old next season?

Jeffrey Schlupp has held discussions over a permanent Celtic transfer following his loan spell in Glasgow and is available for nothing due to his time at Crystal Palace drawing to a close.

However, the Ghana international earned £60,000 while on the books at Selhurst Park, which may complicate matters if the Bhoys decide he is the man to strengthen their left-hand side of defence.

Another player set to be a free agent before too long is long-serving Celtic full-back Greg Taylor. After six years as first-choice, it appears he may move on this summer despite Rodgers’ desire to retain the Greenock-born man.

Dream XI Celtic could build: Idah axed for "sensational" CF, Tierney starts

The dream starting XI that Brendan Rodgers could build for Celtic next season.

2 ByDan Emery May 31, 2025

Time is on Celtic’s side as they plot how best to proceed with adequate cover for Tierney, who has played just 20 matches this season following a spate of injury issues over the last few years.

Now, the Bhoys have reportedly made an approach for an exciting talent that could deputise when needed under Rodgers’ stewardship.

Celtic make approach for Peterborough United left-back Harley Mills

According to Football League World, Celtic have made an approach for Peterborough United left-back Harley Mills, and Fulham have also previously offered £1 million for his services.

Spending the first half of the campaign on loan at Enfield Town, he shot to prominence after returning to Posh due to scoring a delightful free-kick in their famous Vertu Cup final victory over Birmingham City earlier this year at Wembley Stadium.

Harley Mills at Enfield Town and Peterborough United

Appearances

25

Goals

2

Assists

2

Lauded for his ‘wand of a left foot’ by Darren Ferguson, the youngster has completed 66.7% of his dribbles and won the same percentage of tackles on League One duty this term.

Admittedly, his inexperience may be cited by some as a point of contention. Still, Celtic have identified gems such as Moussa Dembele and Matt O’Riley from the lower leagues of English football, so it may not be a total surprise that the Scottish champions could repeat the trick.

In more recent times, Finnish goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo was signed from Aston Villa after a productive loan spell at Exeter City, demonstrating that the Bhoys have their ear to the ground regarding emerging talent.

Ultimately, the ball is now in Peterborough’s court. Mills has the offer of a fresh contract on the table at the Weston Homes Stadium, but he only has 12 months remaining on his current terms and seems to be exploring his options.

Since the summer of 2003, Chelsea have spent a staggering €3.86bn (£3bn) on transfers.

According to Football Transfers, this expenditure is the highest of any club across Europe. It’s no surprise, given Roman Abramovich and Todd Boehly’s penchant for splashing cash.

This money has been used to sign players who have gone on to win major trophies and become established Chelsea icons in the process.

Eden Hazard immediately springs to mind. The Belgian arrived in 2012 and helped the Blues win two Premier League titles and two Europa League crowns.

Cesc Fabregas and N’Golo Kanté are two midfielders who enjoyed plenty of success at Stamford Bridge, while defenders such as Ricardo Carvalho, Cesar Azpilicueta and Ashley Cole turned into some of their much-loved signings.

Notice, however, that there is a lack of strikers mentioned. Despite having an almost unlimited amount of cash to spend, the club have very rarely signed a centre-forward who has enjoyed much success in London.

Didier Drogba and Diego Costa are two who come to mind. But, players such as Fernando Torres, Andriy Shevchenko and Álvaro Morata struggled to win over the Stamford Bridge crowd due to their consistent finishing.

Could Liam Delap break the mould? Chelsea’s new number nine looks ready to become Enzo Maresca’s main man next season.

Why Chelsea signed Liam Delap

Following Ipswich Town’s relegation at the end of last term, a clause in Delap’s contract stated that he could move for a fee of just £30m.

“It’s going to be an incredible place for me to develop, and I hope to achieve amazing things here and help the club win more trophies.” Said the youngster following his move to London.

It comes after a campaign where he found the back of the net 12 times in 37 games for the Tractor Boys in the top flight.

While he has an undisputable eye for goal, the Englishman shone across other metrics in the Premier League this season.

Indeed, when compared to his positional peers, Delap ranked in the top 12% for successful take-ons (1.39) per 90, along with ranking in the top 23% for fouls drawn (1.77) and in the top 14% for penalty kicks won per 90 in the top flight last season, showcasing that he’s difficult to deal with for defenders.

Is the manager looking at bringing in another talented youngster this summer, however?

Chelsea’s search for a striker

Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike is a player who has been routinely linked with a move to the club over the past few weeks.

Transfer Focus

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

It is a deal that Maresca looks keen on getting over the line, but there is another striker whom the Italian might make a move for.

According to Caught Offside, the Blues are now ready to step up their interest in FC Porto forward Samu Aghehowa this summer.

The eagle-eyed Chelsea fans will remember that the club agreed a fee with Atletico Madrid last summer to sign the youngster in 2024, but the move collapsed at the last minute.

Might it be the second time lucky for the Blues this year? Porto are in no rush to sell one of their prized assets, and he has a release clause of €100m (£85m) inserted into his contract.

With Champions League football secured for next season, Maresca has money to spend in a bid to bolster his attacking options.

Signing Aghehowa this summer may break the bank, but in the long term, it would be worth it. Given his form throughout the 2024/25 campaign, the Spaniard would be an even better signing than Delap, that’s for sure.

Why Chelsea should sign Samu

In terms of debut seasons, Samu’s was incredible. Across 42 matches for the Portuguese side, the 21-year-old scored an impressive tally of 25 goals while grabbing three assists.

It may not have been enough to fire the club to a league title, but he has certainly put himself in the shop window with this current form.

Metric

Aghehowa

Delap

Goals

19

12

Assists

3

2

Shots per game

2.7

1.8

Key passes per game

0.6

0.6

Goal conversion percentage

23%

18%

Scoring frequency

119

218

The Spaniard ended up registering a goal involvement every 1.5 games for Porto last season. Compared to Delap, who recorded a contribution every 2.8 games, it is clear who is the more effective frontman.

When compared to Delap domestically, the Porto striker further establishes his dominance across several key statistics.

Not only did the Spaniard register more goals and assists (22 vs 14) than Delap last season in their respective leagues, but he also recorded more shots per 90 (1.15 vs 1.01), won a higher percentage of aerial duels (52.1% vs 42.6%) per 90 minutes and took more touches in the attacking penalty area (137 vs 92) throughout the whole of last season.

He may cost more than Delap, but given the evidence, the 21-year-old is already better than his English counterpart and could be an ideal long-term solution to this problematic area for Chelsea.

Amid his excellent start to the season with his new club, football talent scout Jacek Kulig hailed the striker, saying: “Samu is maintaining his fantastic form for FC Porto. 20 years of age. Pace, physicality, aerial ability, bravery, shot power… Such a complete profile for a striker of his age. A true monster in the making.”

High praise indeed for the youngster and he has a bright future ahead in the game. A move to the Blues would allow the player to continue his development while playing Champions League football.

If Maresca can move on Nicolas Jackson this summer, having options such as Delap and Aghehowa would certainly constitute an upgrade by the Italian, no doubt about that.

Much will depend on how much the club are willing to spend on another centre-forward, but as mentioned, this area hasn’t exactly been a success for the Blues over the years. Might things change this summer? Only time will tell.

Chelsea eyeing £70m Ekitike alternative who's a bigger talent than Delap

Despite having already signed Liam Delap for £30m, Chelsea are interested in another “superb” striker to bolster Enzo Maresca’s attacking options.

Jun 8, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur could soon find themselves on the hunt for a new head coach, with chairman Daniel Levy set to communicate his all-important managerial decision to Ange Postecoglou “this week”.

Ange Postecoglou set to learn Tottenham fate imminently

Reliable club insider Paul O’Keefe has claimed that Levy has already decided whether he’s going to stick or twist with Postecoglou after a very mixed campaign, and the Australian is apparently set to learn his fate imminently.

Tottenham now hold talks over signing "real deal" MLS defender

He’s got a glowing reputation in the States.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 4, 2025

Sky Sports report that Postecoglou’s future will be resolved “this week”, with critics and supporters alike set to find out the result of what must have been a very tough call behind the scenes at Hotspur Way.

The former Celtic boss made history by guiding Spurs to their first European trophy since 1984 and first piece of silverware generally since 2008 by beating Man United 1-0 in the Europa League final, which also gifted the club a spot in next season’s Champions League draw.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

However, Tottenham’s domestic form across 2024/2025 was quite simply unacceptable, with Postecoglou’s side breaking the record for most league defeats recorded by Spurs in a single Premier League season (22).

If they hadn’t secured a narrow victory against Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils in Bilbao, there would be no debate about sacking the tactician, but the raw emotion that comes with ending Tottenham’s trophy-winning hoodoo has given Levy plenty to ponder.

Players have also spoken out in support of Postecoglou – including the likes of Pedro Porro, James Maddison, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray – making the decision even harder.

If Levy does opt to hand the 59-year-old his P45, £4.5 million-per-year Brentford boss Thomas Frank is tipped as a prime contender for the job.

Tottenham are said to have held “multiple meetings” with Frank over the role, with journalist Pete O’Rourke now claiming that the Dane has entered pole position to succeed Postecoglou.

Thomas Frank "emerging" as top Tottenham target to replace Postecoglou

Writing for Football Insider, the reporter states Frank is “emerging” as Tottenham’s “number one” managerial target to replace Postecoglou.

The Lilywhites are apparently “increasingly convinced” of the 51-year-old’s credentials to do a job at Spurs and lead them into the Champions League next term, following his excellent job at Brentford on a shoe-string budget compared to more elite Premier League sides.

Frank has just guided the Bees to a solid mid-table finish, despite losing star striker Ivan Toney to Al-Ahli last summer, with the Dane also steering his injury-ravaged Brentford squad clear of relegation in 2023/2024.

Brentford have also registered a net-spend of just £96 million over the last five years, with Frank’s side holding their own in Europe’s most competitive division without having to splash that much on recruitment.

This will undoubtedly be attractive to Levy, and Man City boss Pep Guardiola is on record stating that Frank is “one of the best” managers around.

His appeal is clear, but it is still just a hypothesis as we await the result of Levy’s crunch Postecoglou call.

Manchester United’s hunt for added attacking reinforcements has been evident this summer, as Ruben Amorim looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Whilst Matheus Cunha has already arrived at Old Trafford this window, their ambitions of added signings doesn’t appear to be slowing down in an attempt to rise up the Premier League table next season.

It remains to be seen how much funds the manager will have at his disposal from the board, but the 40-year-old has made it desperately clear that he wants a new striker to bolster his frontline.

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee remain the only two senior centre-forwards on their books, with the pair’s tally of seven combined goals this season showcasing the need for added options.

With the transfer window now in full swing, it presents Amorim’s side with the opportunity to land their desired targets, making key progress on numerous deals.

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

Viktor Gyokeres has been the main name on their list given his previous stint under Amorim at Sporting CP, but it appears they have moved onto recent targets over the last week.

Jean-Philippe Mateta, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dušan Vlahović are just three other names mentioned as potential options to provide added quality within the final third.

However, a move appears to be in the pipeline for Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, with La Gazzetta dello Sport’s latest update confirming the Red Devils’ interest in the forward.

Their report claims that Amorim’s side are preparing a move for the Italian attacker, who registered 19 goals in Serie A throughout this season.

It also states that the 25-year-old has a £44m release clause that becomes active on the 1st of July, potentially waiting to activate such a deal in the coming weeks.

Why United’s £44m target would be a better signing than Ekitike

Despite the interest in the aforementioned talents, United have also been keen on a move to sign Eintracht Frankfurt talisman Hugo Ekitiké during the off-season.

The Frenchman appears to be a man in huge demand with fellow Premier League outfits Liverpool and Chelsea also firmly in the race for his signature.

Such interest is hardly a surprise given his form in the Bundesliga, after the 23-year-old netted 15 times in his 33 outings during the 2024/25 season.

However, he would be a hugely expensive addition for the Red Devils, given the fact the German outfit are unwilling to budge on their current asking price of around €100m (£84m).

As a result, United may have to look past a move for Ekitike’s signature, with Kean offering Amorim’s side a cheaper alternative due to his pending release clause.

However, they would also be getting themselves a just as impressive option, with the Italian managing to outperform the Frankfurt star in numerous key areas this campaign.

Kean, who’s been labelled “top-class” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has posted a higher tally of league goals along with a better goal per shot on target record – demonstrating the clinical edge he possesses in the final third.

Games played

31

33

Goals scored

19

15

Shot on target accuracy

46%

38%

Goals per shot on target

0.4

0.3

Take-on success

44%

43%

Fouls won

1.8

0.7

Aerials won

52%

46%

He’s also completed more take-ons and drawn more fouls per 90 this season, handing Amorim’s side a constant threat who can run opposition defenders ragged.

The Italian’s dominance is also reflected in his aerial success rate, winning more battles than Ekitike, making him a better focal point, something which is pivotal in Amorim’s system.

If the club can land the former Everton star for his £44m release clause this summer, it would be a deal that would finally hand the side the added attacking threat they need – doing so in a bargain deal too.

There’s no denying that Ekitike is an excellent option this summer, but given the difference in price and stats, a move for Kean should be a no-brainer.

Better signing than Ekitike: Man Utd submit bid for "world-class" £60m star

Manchester United could finally get their man after making a huge bid in recent days.

5 ByEthan Lamb Jun 21, 2025

It’s already been a busy summer at Celtic, so how many more signings will they make?

On Friday, Benjamin Nygren was presented at Parkhead, arriving from Nordsjælland for a reported fee of £1.3m.

He is the club’s third summer edition, after Ross Doohan and Kieran Tierney, but are the Hoops in the market for another full-back, one that Nygren would enjoy playing alongside?

Celtic's left-back latest

Greg Taylor’s contract at Celtic officially expires on Tuesday, and his six-year stay in Glasgow will come to an end, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that he has ‘agreed’ to join Greek Super League side PAOK Thessaloniki on a Bosman.

During his time at the club, Taylor made 216 appearances, 199 of which were starts, and was the undisputed first-choice left-back the vast majority of the time.

Taylor arrived from Kilmarnock to replace Tierney in 2019, the inverse is the case this time round but, with the returning hero infamously injury-prone, Brendan Rodgers will need a more than competent deputy.

Thus, as reported by Mark Pirie of the Daily Record, Keita Kosugi – who is valued at £2m by Football Transfers – is their first-choice target, with Celtic touted to sign him.

Sportbladet have previously documented Paris Saint-Germain’s interest in the full-back, while Djurgården’s sporting director Bosse Andersson told the same Swedish outlet that Kosugi will only be allowed to leave for “quite a lot of money”.

Nevertheless, this looks like a deal Celtic could get done.

How Keita Kosugi would improve Celtic

Just 19 years old, Kosugi joined Djurgården in March 2024, following a successful trial with the Stockholm-based side, and these are his statistics for the club so far.

Appearances

45

Starts

42

Minutes

3,708

Goals

5

Assists

2

Conference League starts

16

Conference League goals

2

As the table outlines, from the moment he arrived, the Japanese teenager has been a first-choice starter for Djurgården, a key figure in the team that reached last season’s Conference League semi-finals, scoring against Víkingur Reykjavík and Rapid Wien en route.

Scout Elijah Michiels describes his performances as “excellent”, praising his “crossing abilities….great overlapping runs and fast acceleration”.

So, let’s take a look at his statistics from last year’s Conference League.

Minutes

987

14th

Completed passes

403

46th

Progressive carries

23

28th

Touches

653

25th

Tackles

23

18th

% of dribblers tackled

85.7%

8th

Blocks

22

3rd

Interceptions

12

24th

Clearances

46

15th

As the table outlines, Kosugi ranked highly for a wide variety of metrics in last season’s Conference League.

This includes defensive statistics, tackles and blocks, but also progressive carries, emphasising his attacking capabilities.

Han June of Football Asian labels him “one of Asia’s hottest young prospects”, outlining his “fearless defending”, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout notes that ‘pace…work rate and technique’ are his primary attributes, all of which make Kosugi ”a modern defender’.

Meantime, writer Kai Watson notes that he is a “promising attacking threat”, which could see him link up well with new arrival Nygren down the left-hand side. The latter man scored 16 goals in 2024/25, with four of those coming from just eight outings on the left wing.

The Swede, who is capable of operating on either flank, would surely thrive with a dynamic, overlapping full-back in support, meaning, should Kosugi arrive, he could form an unstoppable partnership with his fellow new recruit.

Ajer 2.0: Celtic make enquiry to sign "imposing" £5m titan

Celtic are reportedly pursuing a deal to sign the central defender this summer.

1 ByDan Emery Jun 27, 2025

Newcastle United are almost back in action.

It is less than a fortnight until the Magpies commence their pre-season schedule, making the 139-mile journey north to face Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, with 10,000 Geordies forecast to be travelling to Glasgow to support them at Parkhead.

After that, Eddie Howe’s team will travel to Asia for games against Arsenal in Kallang, the K League All-Stars in Suwon and then Tottenham in Seoul, before Espanyol and Atlético Madrid will visit St James’ Park for a weekend double-header in early August.

So, before their visit to Scotland, will the Toon Army have any new signings to cast their eye over?

Newcastle looking to bolster their squad

Newcastle are yet to make a signing this summer, but that could change in the coming days.

James Trafford is set to arrive from Burnley for £30m, thereby becoming the most-expensive English goalkeeper of all time.

Meantime, the Magpies have also stepped up their interest in Atalanta centre-back Giorgio Scalvini, who is described as Howe’s top target, valued at £30m by la Dea.

A deal that could be finalised before either of those is, as reported by Dominic Scurr of the Shields Gazette, Anthony Elanga’s proposed £55m move from Nottingham Forest.

They state that the Magpies had a £45m bid rejected by Forest, told he was not for sale, but have since offered £10m more, which they describe as a ‘breakthrough’ in negotiations.

Thus, ‘confidence’ is growing that a deal will go through, making Elanga Newcastle’s second-most expensive signing of all time, behind only his compatriot Alexander Isak.

Claims followed from Craig Hope corroborating that report, with the journalist revealing on Sunday evening that an agreement is “close.”

Alexnader Isak

2022

Real Sociedad

£63m

Anthony Elanga

2025

Nottingham Forest

£55m*

Sandro Tonali

2023

AC Milan

£55m

Anthony Gordon

2023

Everton

£45m

Joelinton

2019

Hoffenheim

£40m

Harvey Barnes

2023

Leicester City

£38m

Sven Botman

2022

LOSC Lille

£35m

Bruno Guimarães

2022

Olympique Lyonnais

£33.5m

Tino Livramento

2023

Southampton

£32m

*subject to the deal being finalised.

As the table outlines, Joelinton is the only player Newcastle had ever signed for in excess of £30m prior to the PIF takeover and, for the longest time, Michael Owen’s ill-fated £16.8m from Real Madrid in 2005 remained their transfer record.

So, unlike Owen, why will Elanga be a success on Tyneside?

How Anthony Elanga improves Newcastle

Elanga’s performances for Forest last season earned widespread praise, with Statman Dave describing him as “electric”, while David Astill of Total Football Analysis outlined how the Sweden international has become masterful at utilising his pace, often dropping deep before bursting in behind.

Meantime, Ali Tweedale of Opta’s the Analyst is impressed by his two-footedness, labelling him ‘lightning-quick’, while documenting how he’s been able to find the end-product to match, considering only two players registered more assists than he did in the Premier League last season.

Elanga’s potential transfer to Newcastle is reminiscent of his namesake Anthony Gordon’s move from Everton in January 2023, arriving from a Premier League rival for big money.

So, let’s assess how Elanga at Forest compares to Gordon at Everton.

Appearances

74

65

Minutes

4,944

3,911

Goals

11

7

Assists

20

3

All statistics below are on a per-90 basis.

Shots

1.5

1.3

Shots on target

0.9

1

Chances created

1.5

1

Take-on success %

40%

37.87%

Touches

42.1

49.5

Touches in the box

4.6

3.4

As the table outlines, Elanga right now is vastly more experienced than Gordon was when he made the move to Newcastle, not to mention the Swede’s 39 Premier League appearances for Manchester United before joining Forest too.

Elanga has registered more goals and assists, as well as accumulated more shots and chances created, on top of completing a higher percentage of his take-ons. That said, the shared ability to take on a player and create something inside the area certainly makes them alike.

Across the last two seasons, Gordon scored 20 goals and registered 23 assists while the Toon’s latest target netted 11 and supplied 20 assists, certainly rubber-stamping their creative prowess.

Gordon has been largely outstanding since moving to St James’ Park and all available evidence suggests Elanga could have a similarly big impact, should he swap Nottingham for Newcastle.

Could be better than Elanga: Newcastle exploring move for "insane" winger

Newcastle have identified a winger who could be even better than Anthony Elanga.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 5, 2025

Tottenham are working on other targets amid the ongoing transfer saga surrounding Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White.

Thomas Frank will be hoping for a conclusion to the drama fairly soon, given the England international was scheduled to undergo a Hotspur Way medical eight days ago before Forest ultimately blocked the transfer.

Player's camp in talks with Tottenham, Frank convinced he'd join Spurs

The Dane is personally confident they can secure his signature.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jul 18, 2025

They’ve written a letter to both Spurs and the player’s agent threatening legal action, following what they deem to be an unlawful approach for the 25-year-old, and this has put an unceremonious halt to Gibbs-White’s north London switch (Sky Sports).

Nevertheless, Tottenham remain hopeful they’ll eventually get the green-light to make Gibbs-White their fourth signing of the summer after Mathys Tel, Kota Takai and Mohammed Kudus (Fabrizio Romano), even if Forest insist he’s not going anywhere (Sky Sports).

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

Chairman Daniel Levy was ready to trigger Gibbs-White’s ‘confidential’ £60 million release clause before Forest stepped in, and they’re not looking for a ‘quick resolution’.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how it plays out from here,” said BBC Radio Nottingham’s Colin Fray.

“Most thought it would be ironed out and the transfer go through. Not many were expecting him back at training and here he is. That is another twist in the story.

“Forest have set their stall out that they aren’t looking for a quick resolution. They want to keep him.”

Amid this messy situation, the Lilywhites do have other plans they’re looking to see through before deadline day on September 1.

Tottenham reportedly want a new holding midfielder and number six. Talks have reportedly been held with Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha’s representatives, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, and it is believed by some that Juventus ace Douglas Luiz is keen on a move to Spurs – just one year after his switch to Turin from Aston Villa.

As well as this, a new centre-back is on the agenda, and Ukraine international Illia Zabarnyi is re-emerging as a top target.

Tottenham ready to pay £60m-plus for Bournemouth defender Illia Zabarnyi

As per Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, via his official website, Tottenham are actively trying for Zabarnyi, despite his eagerness to join European champions PSG.

Di Marzio also reports that Tottenham are ready to pay north of £60 million for Zabarnyi, the amount “requested” by Bournemouth, if they’re given encouragement that the 22-year-old will forego a switch to France in favour of N17.

PSG have seen multiple bids rejected for Zabarnyi, worth up to £52 million, and they’re yet to return with an improved offer. Given Spurs are prepared to go higher and meet Zabarnyi’s asking price, this could open the door for Frank’s side, but it will hinge on the player’s own decision.

The defender has been a rock at the heart of Bournemouth’s defence and played a key role in their chase for European football last season.

“He is probably the most underrated player,” said pundit Jamie Redknapp.

“I also spoke with Ukrainian legend Andriy Shevchenko, and he mentioned that Illia has everything it takes to reach the next level. Everyone is talking about Dean Huijsen. Yes, he is a fantastic young player, but Zabarnyi plays very aggressively in defense as well. I was genuinely impressed by him. He shows remarkable calmness on the pitch.”

Since taking the hot seat at Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has got plenty of things right.

He’s taken a team that were spiralling with no end in sight and turned them into genuine contenders for the Premier League and Champions League.

Additionally, he has overseen several impressive signings, including Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, David Raya, and Gabriel Magalhães.

Yet, arguably the Spaniard’s most underrated purchase since becoming manager has been that of Leandro Trossard from Brighton & Hove Albion, who joined the club for a relatively low price of £27m, and has since produced 51 goal involvements in 124 games.

And now, based on reports, it looks like Arsenal are about to sign another promising player who could emulate the Belgian international over the coming years.

Arsenal's summer business so far

There was plenty of justifiable unease earlier this summer, as it appeared that Arsenal would once again take too long to sign their targets, or, like last year, massively underinvest in the squad.

Transfer Focus

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

Fortunately, such concerns can now be firmly put to rest, as the club have already announced three signings: Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, and Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Add to that Viktor Gyokeres, who is reportedly set for his medical on Friday, Noni Madueke, who has already passed his, and the fact that links to Eberechi Eze refuse to go away, and this window is shaping up to be one to remember for the North Londoners.

Moreover, we could be days away from another announcement, an announcement for someone who could end up becoming something of a new Trossard for Arteta.

At least that’s according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has revealed that Arsenal have almost completed the signing of centre-back Christian Mosquera.

The Italian journalist claims that the Gunners have now exchanged documents with Valencia and agreed a final fee of €15m – £13m – plus add-ons for the Spaniard, with the overall package coming in at under €20m, which is about £17m.

Moreover, fans shouldn’t have to wait too long to see the 20-year-old in red and white, as Romano has revealed that his medical is planned for today.

In all, it looks like a sensational bit of business for Arsenal, and we can’t help but see him following a similar path to Trossard over the coming years.

Why Mosquera could emulate Trossard at Arsenal

Now, it is an undeniable fact that, as someone who primarily plays at centre-back, Mosquera is quite different from Trossard.

However, when we discuss the young Spaniard emulating the Belgian at Arsenal, his position and playing style aren’t particularly relevant; instead, it is more about the finances involved, the role he could play in the squad next season, and the expectations placed on him.

For example, when the former Brighton star joined the North Londoners in 2023, he did so for a decent fee and as a back-up option to the then far more talented Gabriel Martinelli.

The Waterschei-born ace was a third-choice winger, but through good performances, he was able to secure plenty of minutes and improve his reputation among fans.

That is the path we see the Valencia ace taking, as, due to his right-footedness, there is no doubt that his role next season will be as the back-up to William Saliba.

Moreover, with Riccardo Calafiori being so injury-prone and being more of a left-back option, as well as reports that Jakub Kiwior could still leave this summer, the Spaniard could instantly be the third-choice centre-back.

Finally, based on his performances for Valencia, and the way those in the know speak about him, there is every chance Arteta tasks him with playing more games than some might be expecting.

Appearances

137

Starts

129

Minutes

7399

Goals

1

Points per Game

1.34

Yellow Cards

9

Second Yellow Cards

0

Red Cards

0

For example, despite just turning 21 years old, the “dominant” defender, as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, has made 137 first-team appearances for the Murciélagos, of which 129 have been starts.

On top of that, Mattinson has argued that he’s similar to Myles Lewis-Skelly in the sense that he’s already so good, he’s “past the point of being compared to the best young players in his position.”

Lastly, U23 scout Antonio Mango has been incredibly complimentary of the young defender, stating that he possesses “a nice blend of physical prowess and a deep understanding of the game.”

Additionally, his ability to play on the right or left, as well as at right-back, “offers flexibility” to his manager.

Ultimately, Mosquera is a very different player to Trossard, but there is a strong chance he ends up fulfilling a similar role to him next season, but in defence, as the reliable third option who ends up getting far more game time than most expect.

He's Cazorla 2.0: Arsenal make £100k-p/w "superstar" their new top target

The incredible international could be Arsenal’s new version of the Spanish magician.

1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 16, 2025

West Ham United have made just three signings so far this summer, with one of those being Jean-Clair Todibo, who joins permanently after his loan spell last term.

With just a few weeks until the start of the Premier League season, Graham Potter still needs to bolster a few key areas, notably his attack department.

The supporters will be hoping a new striker or two arrives in the coming weeks, no doubt about that.

Could Potter, however, make a statement signing from a fellow Premier League side instead?

West Ham holding talks for top-flight sensation

Striker Callum Wilson is reportedly in discussions with the Irons regarding a move to the London Stadium, and this would help boost Potter’s attacking options.

While this deal may be seen as a priority for the club, it appears as though Potter is keen on signing another midfielder.

According to the Metro, West Ham have been in talks with Liverpool this month regarding a potential move for Harvey Elliott. Any move might cost them around £40m.

Transfer Focus

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

The midfielder shone for England at the U21 European Championship this summer, but has made it clear he needs regular game time during the 2025/26 campaign.

It remains to be seen whether Arne Slot has him factored into his plans for the Anfield side. Perhaps a move to West Ham can bolster his World Cup hopes.

If so, Potter might just have his very own version of Cole Palmer – a player whom David Moyes came close to signing back in the summer of 2023, prior to his move to Stamford Bridge.

Why West Ham must sign Harvey Elliott

It would be an understatement to say that last season didn’t go quite as planned for the 22-year-old.

He made just 28 appearances for Liverpool, with only six coming from the starting XI. Despite this, Elliott still managed to score five goals and grab three assists.

His performances for England at the U21 European Championships, however, saw him crowned as player of the tournament. He scored five times as England retained their title.

According to FBref, Palmer is the eighth-most comparable player to Elliott across Europe’s top five leagues, suggesting that the young Liverpool starlet could offer a similar set of skills should he join West Ham. Like his compatriot and fellow left-footer, the playmaker thrives off the right flank or in a number ten berth.

Indeed, the pair registered similar statistics across a range of metrics domestically last term, including shots per 90 (4.12 vs 3.41), shot-creating actions (5.11 vs 5.7) per 90 and goal-creating actions (0.73 vs 0.42) per 90.

Elliott may have played fewer games than Palmer, but when given a chance, the Anfield gem certainly took full advantage. If he can go on to reach the heights of a player who boasts 72 goals and assists in just 97 games for Chelsea, then the Hammers would be on to a winner.

Goals

5

Assists

0

Key passes per game

1.7

Goal conversion percentage

25%

Shots per game

3.3

Successful dribbles per game

0.7

Previously hailed by talent scout Jacek Kulig as an “outrageous talent” in 2021, Elliott has matured into a versatile player who can operate across a multitude of positions.

Wherever Potter decides to play Elliott, there is no doubt he can offer plenty to a side that struggled for goals last season.

For £40m, it could turn out to be a shrewd piece of business by the Irons as they seek a return to the top half of the Premier League table.

West Ham launch approach to sign £25m+ ace who outscored Wilson last season

He outperformed Wilson last season…

ByTom Cunningham Jul 25, 2025