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Liverpool will have to cope without having Hugo Ekitike at their disposal when they travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

The French centre-forward is set to be suspended for the trip to London because of the red card that he picked up in the 2-1 win over Southampton in the League Cup at Anfield on Tuesday night.

Ekitike came off the bench at half-time in the win over the Championship side. He made an impact as a substitute by netting the winner late in the second half, converting into an open net from Federico Chiesa’s pass.

However, joy quickly turned to confusion as the referee showed a red card to the forward, who had taken his shirt off to celebrate his finish in front of the Anfield crowd.

This means that Arne Slot will be without the summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt for the clash with Palace, after Ekitike started the first five matches of the Premier League season.

The Liverpool head coach now has a decision to make on whether or not to play club-record signing Alexander Isak from the start at Selhurst Park.

Why Alexander Isak may not start against Crystal Palace

Despite arriving at Anfield from Newcastle for £125m, a British record fee, during the summer transfer window, it is not a certainty that the Sweden international will start against the Eagles.

Because of the drawn-out transfer saga, Isak did not have a pre-season with the Magpies and did not feature in the opening weeks of the 2025/26 campaign, which means that he is still short on match fitness.

The Liverpool number nine has yet to play more than 58 minutes in any of his three appearances for the club, per Sofascore, and came off at half-time against Southampton after scoring his first goal for the Reds.

This shows that Slot and the medical team are being careful with Isak and slowly building him up, rather than chucking him straight into full 90-minute appearances.

As you can see in the table above, Isak has far from a spotless injury record during his career, which is why they may want to be extra careful with him to avoid causing any unwanted muscle injuries.

With his fitness and Ekitike’s suspension in mind, Liverpool may save Isak to come off the bench because of their lack of senior centre-forward options to play in the crucial stage of the match.

Assuming, based on how his appearances have gone so far, that the Swedish striker is not ready to play the full 90 minutes, Liverpool would be in danger of potentially having to substitute the £125m forward in the second half whilst chasing a result.

Instead of running that risk, the Reds could go with a wildcard replacement for Ekitike by unleashing a different player in that role and subbing Isak on to finish the match in the second half.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

Slot brought Jayden Danns on in the second half against Southampton on Tuesday night, and the 19-year-old academy graduate could be the wildcard replacement for Ekitike to lead the line until Isak is introduced on Saturday.

Why Liverpool should unleash Jayden Danns

The teenage centre-forward provided the fans with a reminder that he is physically ready for first-team football by winning all three of his duels in 15 minutes off the bench against the Saints, per Sofascore.

Danns has scored two goals for club and country at youth level so far this season, per Sofascore, and looks to be getting back to his best after an injury put an end to his loan spell at Sunderland in the second half of the 2024/25 campaign.

The England U20 international first arrived on the first-team scene under Jurgen Klopp with two goals against Southampton in the FA Cup in 2024.

Danns also scored off the bench against Accrington Stanley in a 4-0 win for Liverpool in the FA Cup under Slot at the start of this year, before his loan move to Sunderland and subsequent injury troubles ended his campaign.

This means that he has already had a tiny bit of success at first-team level at Anfield, with three senior goals under his belt, which is why throwing him in from the start against Crystal Palace may not be the worst idea in the world.

As you can see in the table above, Danns has scored goals at an impressive rate for almost every team he has played for at senior and youth level.

U23 scout Antonio Mango described the striker as being “extra prolific” because of his intelligence and movement off the ball. His goal against Southampton in the earlier clip is a great example of those attributes in action.

The 19-year-old star, who made one appearance in the Premier League last season, is an exciting prospect and appears to have the physical and technical qualities to hold his own in the first-team already.

This is why he could be an ideal option to lead the line from the start against Crystal Palace on Saturday. That would provide Danns with a huge opportunity to showcase his quality, whilst also allowing Liverpool to end the game with Isak leading the line.

Not Ekitike: Liverpool have Sturridge 2.0 in star who's "making an impact"

Liverpool may have found their new version of Daniel Sturridge in this Reds star.

By
Dan Emery

Sep 24, 2025

It could be an ideal solution to the problem facing Slot, with Ekitike’s suspension, as it would prevent the Reds from being in a position where they are chasing a result but have to substitute their star striker whilst doing so.

West Ham United have made another disastrous start to the season, with under-fire manager Graham Potter at the centre of reports that he could be sacked after just nine months in charge of the east London club.

Graham Potter's terrible West Ham start in numbers

Numbers never lie, and the statistics from Potter’s tenure at West Ham so far make for pretty grim reading.

Potter’s men have shipped 11 goals already this term, and out of every West Ham side in Premier League history, only Avram Grant’s Hammers from 2010/2011 have conceded more at this stage of the season — they were relegated.

Potter has also recorded the second-worst Premier League win percentage of any West Ham manager since the competition’s inception, behind only Grant, and even the maligned Julen Lopetegui fared better last season.

West Ham’s losses so far have all come by a three-goal margin too, and it’s the joint-earliest a Premier League team has lost this many games by such a score since Bournemouth in 2022/2023 — who eventually avoided a drop to the Championship by the skin of their teeth.

To make matters even less flattering for Potter, he also boasts the worst overall record of every single present Premier League club since his appointment in January.

Taking all of this into consideration, alongside the lack of a real playing identity under the 50-year-old, it is hardly surprising that West Ham are backing Potter for now but have a number of managers on their shortlist in case they decide to part company.

According to reliable media sources, like GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs, West Ham have internally discussed hiring Sean Dyche, Nuno Espírito Santo and former boss Slaven Bilic.

The latter, who was a fan favourite and managed the Irons from 2015 to 2017, took charge of 109 games before David Sullivan and the board replaced him with David Moyes on an interim basis.

Now, Bilic is emerging as a favourite for the potential West Ham job, as Sullivan apparently favours re-hiring the Croatian over alternative candidates (Ben Jacobs).

The 57-year-old’s stance on a return to east London has now emerged too, courtesy of Jack Rosser in The Sun.

Slaven Bilic would love to re-join West Ham amid Graham Potter uncertainty

According to Rosser, Bilic would be open to a West Ham comeback as senior figures present him as an option, but there is an err of caution as it is also believed that the tactician has offers from elsewhere.

In his opening season, Bilic guided the club to one of their highest ever league finishes, seventh, which also earned them a place in the early Europa League qualifying rounds.

West Ham finished 11th in his second campaign before Bilic was shown the door early in his third season, having left with the club sitting in the relegation zone, but Rosser also reports that Bilic would come in on an initial caretaker basis.

Amid the fierce backlash from West Ham supporters, who are planning protests this Saturday before their home game against Crystal Palace, the board is under mounting pressure, and it is vital they get their next appointment right if Potter does leave.

Bilic has been out of management for well over a year, departing Saudi side Al-Fateh in 2024, and it is very debatable whether the ex-Hammers defender is really the right man to take them forward, especially with Nuno also readily available.

That being said, Bilic was once a popular figure, with Aaron Cresswell hailing his passion.

Everton are reportedly interested in signing a “complete” midfielder in the summer transfer window, and his versatility could be a major weapon for David Moyes.

Everton reveal £100m transfer budget

The Blues feel like they are beginning a new chapter in their great history, with life at Goodison Park coming to an end and their move to Bramley Moore Dock finally coming to fruition this summer.

Moyes will know the importance of being backed in the transfer market, and it looks as though that will be the case, with a recent update revealing that as much as £100m could be made available to add to Everton’s squad.

Former defender John Stones has been mentioned as a high-profile option for the Blues, with the England international potentially leaving Manchester City this summer.

Meanwhile, football finance expert Kieran Maguire has talked up the idea of a “marquee signing” arriving, also confirming the likelihood of a £100m summer: “One marquee signing is certainly possible, especially with some players out of contract, but the chances of a series of big names is less likely. A spend of £50-£100m is the ballpark unless there are exits.”

Everton keen on signing "complete" midfielder

Now, according to an update from The Express, Everton are interested in signing Rangers midfielder Mohamed Diomande ahead of next season. It is claimed that Blues chiefs have identified him as a “candidate” to bolster Moyes’ options in the middle of the park – the 23-year-old can play as a six, a box-to-box player, a ten and even at full-back.

Kevin Thelwell is of course leaving to join Rangers, perhaps allowing for smooth negotiations between the clubs as incoming Toffees CEO Angus Kinnear looks to make his own first signing on Merseyside.

Diomande could be just what Moyes is after in his midfield, coming in as a young option who has already shown that he can handle British football.

The two-cap Ivory Coast international has made 73 appearances for Rangers, dealing with the pressure of playing for a huge club, scoring eight goals and registering 10 assists along the way. Analyst John Walker has also hailed him as a “complete” player.

Diomande isn’t out of contract at Rangers until the summer of 2028, so signing him on the cheap may not be easy, but he stands out as a strong option for Everton, not least because of his versatility.

Everton could now make shock move to sign £250k-p/w England star for Moyes

The Toffees are excited to kick off a new era and could begin their journey with a bang…

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Jun 1, 2025

He would immediately add so much depth to Moyes’ squad, and at 23, his best years should still be ahead of him.

Will Emi Martínez leave Aston Villa this summer?

According to a report by Football Insider, the Villans are under pressure to ‘sell a prize asset’ before 30 June to avoid breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules, claiming that Martínez is one of the most likely candidates to be sacrificed.

Well, there are plenty of suitors for the back-to-back Yashin Trophy winner.

Goal documents Manchester United’s interest, while The Telegraph claim that numerous Saudi Pro League clubs would be delighted to secure his signature.

Well, given, as noted by Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic, Martínez’s propensity to deliver ‘defining moments’ and ‘standout performances’, he will be a difficult man to replace, but have Aston Villa actually managed to identify an upgrade?

Aston Villa's first-choice Emi Martínez replacement

According to a report by John Townley for Birmingham Live, Aston Villa will ‘target’ a move to sign LOSC Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, should Martínez be sold.

French publication L’Équipe has previously noted that newly-crowned European champions Paris Saint-Germain are tracking the 23-year-old, with TEAMtalk claiming that he is valued at just £34m by les Dogues.

Chevalier joined Lille as a 13-year-old, making 127 appearances for the senior team, conceding exactly 127 goals and keeping 44 clean sheets in this time.

So, could he soon be swapping Northern France for the English Midlands?

Why Lucas Chevalier would be an Emi Martínez upgrade

During his three seasons as Lille’s number one, Chevalier has earned countless rave reviews.

Alongside Rayan Cherki of Olympique Lyonnais, they were the only non-PSG players to feature in Ligue 1’s team of the season.

Meanwhile, following les Nordistes’ stunning 1-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in October, Joel Domenighetti of L’Équipe described Chevalier’s display as ‘exceptional’, while Nick Hartland of Get French Football News labels him ‘one of the breakout stars’ from this season’s competition.

Described as “one of the most talented young goalkeepers in Europe” by scout Jacek Kulig, what makes him so good is that – in the words of Liam Tharme and Matt Pyzdrowski of the Athletic – he not only boasts ‘excellent reach’ and exceptional ‘handling’, but also that his ‘super-strength’ is his ‘accomplished’ in possession play.

So, how did the young Frenchman compare to the man he could be replacing between the Villa Park posts this season?

The table makes for interesting reading, considering the duo played a near-identical number of minutes this season across their respective domestic leagues and the Champions League

Across Europe’s top five leagues, the Frenchman ranks tenth for post-shot xG – goals conceded, while he is also 11th in this season’s Champions League for the same metric, a key figure as Lille upset the odds to finish seventh in the league phase.

Meantime, his save percentage ranks highly both domestically and in the Champions League, with his Ligue 1 figure of 74.6% a noteworthy amount higher than Martínez’s 69% in the Premier League.

This is not to denigrate​​​​​​​ Martínez in any way, given that former Aston Villa striker Chris Sutton believes the Argentine has been an “outstanding goalkeeper” and a “brilliant shot-stopper” since joining the club in 2020.

Nevertheless, if the Claret and Blue Army are able to sell the 32-year-old for a big fee and replace him with a 23 year old, this is surely an upgrade they should be looking to make.

Aston Villa book medical to sign forward who Emery feels can be next Duran

He’s agreed a four-year deal at Villa Park.

By
Charlie Smith

Jun 1, 2025

As Manchester United prepare to head into the defining game of their season on Wednesday night, a key dilemma for manager Ruben Amorim to contemplate is the centre-forward berth, amid the continued woes of young Rasmus Hojlund.

Despite showcasing flickers of life with goals against Bournemouth and Athletic Club in recent weeks, the 22-year-old has still scored just ten goals in all competitions this season, with just four of those coming in the Premier League.

The Europa League – or European competition in general – has been a welcome solace for the Dane following his £64m switch in 2023, although even his 11 goals on the continent to date should not cloud Amorim’s judgement considering the wretched campaign that the former Atalanta man has endured.

Against Chelsea on Friday night, for instance, the struggling striker won just two of 11 duels and lost the ball on 13 occasions, with there a very real debate to be had over whether the former Sporting CP boss can find a wildcard solution to replace the club’s number nine in Bilbao.

As for the long-term, meanwhile, Hojlund’s woes have indicated that signing an upgrade is essential this summer. On the evidence of recent reports, that work has already begin, amid the speculation surrounding Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.

Latest on Man Utd's interest in Liam Delap

While a deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers man Matheus Cunha appears to be edging ever closer to an agreement, the suggestion is that United are also looking to raid the Premier League for young Delap, following an encouraging first campaign in the top-flight.

Despite playing his part in a side that has slipped back into the Championship under Kieran McKenna, the 22-year-old has still managed to rack up 12 league goals thus far, with no player back at Old Trafford even reaching double figures, by contrast.

Reportedly available for just £30m this summer amid the presence of a relegation clause in his contract, the England U21 star represents an affordable option ahead of next term, with The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell outlining that talks have already been held with the player regarding a move.

As per Whitwell, however, the Red Devils are set to face competition from the likes of Chelsea, with Delap set to engage in negotiations with a number of suitors before making his decision.

The suggestion is that the club could afford to sign both Cunha and the former Manchester City starlet, even if Champions League qualification is not secured. That said, might it be worth stretching the budget just a little further?

Man Utd chasing Delap alternative

Having signed Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee in successive summers, the decision to plump for another young striker like Delap could prove another mistake for those at Old Trafford, with the club simply needing to get it right in the centre-forward department.

Transfer Focus

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

According to reports in Spain, the Red Devils are seemingly in the mix for a prolific alternative, amid claims that they are among the Premier League clubs to have made an approach for Sporting sensation, Viktor Gyokeres.

As per the report, while it is Arsenal who remain in the ‘best position’ to sign the 26-year-old, United are said to have emerged as a ‘strong competitor’ of late, amid the forward’s prior relationship with Amorim.

The suggestion is that the former Coventry City man will end up back in England this summer, with Fabrizio Romano having outlined in recent days that he could be available for around €65m (£55m),

That extra £25m, in relation to Delap, would prove worth the investment for a player who could prove to be the next Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Why Gyokeres could be the new Van Nistelrooy

It is not too difficult to argue that not since the days of Van Nistelrooy have United truly had a reliable goalscoring presence at the club, with the clinical Dutchman chalking up 150 goals in 219 games in all competitions, including 95 in just 150 Premier League outings.

Signed from PSV Eindhoven in 2001 for a then British-record fee of around £19m, having seen a deal collapse a year earlier due to injury, the beloved striker hit the ground running in a United shirt, having scored twice on debut against Fulham.

In truth, the then-24-year-old had picked up where he left off in his homeland, having netted 77 times in just 90 games for PSV, after previous stints with Den Bosch and Heerenveen.

Any fears over whether he could cut it in English football were swiftly eased, with Van Nistelrooy proving that a goalscorer of that ilk can deliver the goods wherever they are plying their trade.

Hopefully, the same can be true of Gyokeres, with the “ball-striking monster” – as hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson – enjoying a similar record to what Ruud recorded at PSV, having netted 96 times in just 101 appearances in Lisbon.

Like Van Nistrelrooy too – who provided 20 assists in Eindhoven, as per Transfermarkt – the former Coventry hero can also create chances for others too when leading the line, having chipped in with 28 assists of his own.

In essence, Gyokeres is the complete striker, possessing that ability to lead the line on his own in impressive fashion, much like Van Nistelrooy was able to do in Sir Alex Ferguson’s 4-5-1 formation in the early 2000s.

The “hottest striker in Europe” right now, as per ESPN’s Mark Ogden, the one-time Brighton and Hove Albion asset is in simply blistering form. A reunion with Amorim could represent the dream alternative to chasing Delap, even if it comes at a greater cost.

Man Utd submit bid to sign "unplayable" star who's more deadly than Cunha

Manchester United have submitted a bid to sign a star who would be amazing with Matheus Cunha.

1

By
Dan Emery

May 19, 2025

Chelsea are now favourites to sign a £148m star ahead of Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, despite the latter’s bottomless financial power, and talks have already been over a move for the player.

Chelsea transfer plans amid tight Champions League race

Enzo Maresca and co face off against top-five rivals Newcastle United in the Premier League this afternoon, knowing a win at St James’ Park will give them an almighty boost in their chase for Champions League qualification.

£65m forward who Atletico Madrid are pushing for wants to join Chelsea

Diego Simeone’s side really want him.

By
Emilio Galantini

May 10, 2025

Both Chelsea and Newcastle are neck-and-neck in the table, level on both points and goal difference, with nothing separating either side – so this will be a very tough one to call for onlookers.

Eddie Howe’s men boast the home advantage, but Chelsea will be in good spirits after an excellent run of form and their win over English champions Liverpool last weekend. It is a truly mouth-watering clash, and one which even has the power to have an effect on Chelsea’s summer transfer plans this summer.

This is because qualification for the Champions League is intertwined with the club’s recruitment drive, as per Maresca himself in a recent press conference, and a top-five finish is seen as vital when it comes to Chelsea’s aims for the window.

According to reports, Chelsea are aiming to sign a new winger among their chief priorities, and BlueCo already have their eyes on a host of targets.

Talks have already been held over a move for Borussia Dortmund sensation Jamie Gittens, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, while reports this week also indicate that Man United winger Alejandro Garnacho is still a target for Chelsea as well.

As well as the aforementioned duo, links to AC Milan star Rafael Leao continue to be fairly strong.

Chelsea ahead of Al-Nassr in race for Rafael Leao after initial talks

The Portugal international’s contract includes a £148 million release clause, which is active for around 10 days in July, but clubs are likely to negotiate a price lower than this pretty seismic figure.

As per CaughtOffside, Chelsea have held initial talks over signing Leao, and despite interest from Al-Nassr, the Blues have an advantage over them. The outlet reports that Leao wants to stay in Europe, which puts them ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s side, and as things stand, Chelsea are the “most advanced” when it comes to any kind of agreement for his signature.

Arsenal are in the mix as well, but they view the winger as more of an alternative to Athletic Bilbao starlet Nico Williams.

Leao has been a star player for Milan since joining them from Lille, with former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham branding the forward an “unstoppable” force on his day.

“Leao is a very important player for us,” said Abraham to Italian media.

“I don’t think he knows how good he is. He can win games on his own, on his day, he is unstoppable. We have to fill him with confidence and bring him on our path.”

Aston Villa’s season now rests on finishing inside the top five spots in the Premier League with an FA Cup semi-final heartbreak still fresh, on top of crashing out of the Champions League to the might of Paris St. Germain.

Of course, finishing inside those coveted few positions will be a hard feat to pull off, with Chelsea and Nottingham Forest also vying for a place amongst Europe’s elite alongside Unai Emery’s Villans.

But, when Villa are at their free-flowing, dangerous best, they can hurt any side that comes their way in the top-flight. Amazingly, however, the West Midlands giants could become even more of an entertaining outfit to watch if they were to land this top-drawer attacking midfielder shortly.

Aston Villa's early transfer targets

It’s not only incomings that are the talk of the town at Villa Park at the moment, with Emiliano Martinez reportedly being looked at by clubs out in Saudi Arabia, alongside Morgan Rogers taking up space on Chelsea’s ever-growing shopping list.

Rogers leaving might well have sparked Villa’s curiosity in looking for fresh blood in the number ten spot, with 18-year-old Sverre Nypan being looked at as one for the future, alongside Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer deal.

Football Insider has revealed that Villa are looking to snap up the Premier League veteran as an alternative to landing loan star Marco Asensio permanently.

The Villans are exploring a move for the former Chelsea man as it could prove far cheaper than the deal needed to lure Asensio to England for good, considering the need to cover the Spaniard’s wages, alongside a transfer fee.

After all, the 33-year-old would be able to gift Emery and Co some class as an ageing operator in midfield, on top of perhaps being the best switch Villa have signed off on since De Bruyne’s fellow compatriot Youri Tielemans entered the building back in 2023.

Why De Bruyne could be their best signing since Tielemans

Before delving deeper into why he could be held in such high esteem, Villa have picked up some top talents since Tielemans’ arrival almost two years ago.

Rogers’ signing sticks out as a memorable one – among the likes of Amadou Onana joining for big bucks – considering Chelsea will have to splash out far more than the initial £8m Emery and Co paid for his services, off the back of his 16 goal contributions in league action this season.

Even the loan moves for the likes of Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Donyell Malen have caught the eye, although a bargain deal for De Bruyne would surpass even that trio, considering his status as the “greatest” Premier League midfielder of all time, according to Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp.

Much like the City number 17’s potential switch, Tielemans would also join the Villa ranks in 2023 as a free transfer pick-up, with the Villans capitalising on Leicester City’s dire relegation situation to land the exceptional midfielder.

Ever since joining, the 75-time Belgium international has pulled the strings for his employers on a regular basis, leading to Tielemans amassing 25 goal contributions and counting from 97 overall contests.

The “unique” De Bruyne – as described by Pep Guardiola – has still managed to show flashes of his excellence for City this season, even as his team’s form on the pitch has been unexpectedly choppy, meaning he might well link up with Tielemans to devastating effect if a deal is signed off on.

Indeed, the six-time Premier League title winner has still been able to register a healthy five goals and eight assists in all competitions. To add context, Tielemans is only one ahead of his potential new teammate’s numbers for the campaign, despite being six years younger.

A man of De Bruyne’s “unbelievable” pedigree – as he’s been hailed in the past by Guardiola himself – doesn’t just his lose his star-quality overnight, with Emery perhaps the perfect manager to get the 5 foot 11 ace back to his ridiculous best, having worked wonders when reviving Rashford’s own career.

Therefore, if everything goes to plan and De Bruyne can prove his age is merely a number by showing off his world-class ability, this would go down as the best switch signed off on since Tielemans’ arrival onto the scene.

Aston Villa may already be close to signing an "elite" Rogers replacement

Aston Villa will be considering who they can swoop in for if Morgan Rogers departs the club.

By
Kelan Sarson

May 1, 2025

Newcastle United are in the market for some statement additions this summer and have taken a step forward to landing one of England’s most talented upcoming stars, according to a report.

Newcastle United look to enjoy exciting summer window

While the Magpies’ desired outcome from their remaining Premier League matches is to secure Champions League qualification, it remains to be determined whether they will return to Europe’s premier competition by elbowing their divisional rivals aside.

In turn, should they manage to achieve their goal, Newcastle will be in a promising position to attract some of Europe’s best to accelerate their project to become one of the English top-flight elite for years to come.

Nevertheless, retaining Alexander Isak at St James’ Park amid interest from Liverpool will be a difficult task. PSR could dictate that a sizeable sale or two may be needed to avoid conflict with regulations, making any rumours surrounding the Sweden international worth watching over the next few months.

Reports suggest Strasbourg forward Emanuel Emegha could replace Isak or even be signed if their star man stays put – Callum Wilson is primed to leave on a free transfer and would leave another void to be filled in attack after a distinguished spell in the North East under Eddie Howe’s stewardship.

3 in, 3 out? 6 players who could join or leave Newcastle United in January

Newcastle United will be looking to do some transfer business this month.

By
Ross Kilvington

Jan 8, 2025

Movement is expected in both directions this summer and there is plenty to be excited about regardless of what European competition Newcastle end up in come 2025/26. PIF’s presence at St James’ Park has placed the club on a steady upward trajectory, and they could be about to receive another boost after Howe’s involvement in their latest transfer pursuit.

Newcastle boss Howe initiates personal talks with Liam Delap

According to reports, Newcastle United boss Howe has held personal talks with Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap over a potential move to the North East in the summer, with his £30 million relegation release clause set to become active if the Tractor Boys go down.

Recently, the Magpies have enjoyed ‘very positive conversations’ with the former Manchester City star’s representatives and Howe has now taken a special interest in sealing the deal to bolster his offensive options.

Statistically, Isak may hold the edge over his potential competitor in several attacking metrics. However, Delap has fared exceptionally well for Ipswich when considering their status as a bottom three Premier League club. In a different system, you get the impression that his numbers will only improve if he were to earn a move to the North East to add some firepower to their forward line.

Manchester United remain in competition for his signature, but Howe’s involvement could tip the scales in Newcastle’s favour as they look to conclude a deal for Delap, who has been labelled “fantastic” by Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

If you had told Arsenal fans that Jakub Kiwior would start in a 3-0 home win and 2-1 away win against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals earlier this season, they would likely have laughed in your face.

It’s not that the Polish international is a bad player; he has stepped up at points in the past, but it would be fair to say that for much of this season, he’s been something of an afterthought and has struggled in the few appearances he’s made, like away to Fulham.

Yet, since Gabriel Magalhães’ injury, the former Spezia star has seriously stepped up, and perhaps the biggest compliment is that he’s made the Brazilian’s absence something of an afterthought.

However, there is no room for sentimentality in football, and if recent reports are to be believed, Mikel Arteta and Co have identified a defender they want to sign in the summer, a defender who would be an upgrade on Kiwior.

Arsenal's transfer targets

Now, as they once again missed out on the title this season, Arsenal are obviously looking to strengthen all over the pitch, and one of the names most heavily linked with the club in recent weeks has been Benjamin Sesko.

Transfer Focus

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

The Slovenian striker, who’s still just 21, has enjoyed another stellar campaign with RB Leipzig this year, racking up 20 goals and six assists in just 41 appearances, making his supposed £58m release clause look fairly reasonable.

Another 20-year-old touted for a move to the Emirates this summer is Lyon’s incredible Rayan Cherki.

The Frenchman could be available for just £25m, which sounds like a total bargain considering he’s racked up a staggering haul of 12 goals and 18 assists in just 40 games this season and has been tipped as a “future Ballon d’Or winner,” by The Athletic’s Alex Barker.

However, neither of these exciting attackers will replace Kiwior, which is where Dean Huijsen comes in.

Yes, according to a recent report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Arsenal have maintained their strong interest in the Bournemouth star and insist he is someone they want to sign.

The report does not mention a potential price, but stories from earlier this month reiterated the claim that the Spaniard has a £50m release clause in his current deal.

It might not be an easy deal to get over the line, but given Huijsen’s immense ability and potential, it’s one worth fighting for, even if it could be bad news for Kiwior.

How Huijsen compares to Kiwior

If Arsenal were to get their man in the summer and bring Huijsen to the Emirates, it seems unlikely that he’d break up the partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel – at least for a while – so his biggest competition for a place in the squad would likely be Kiwior.

So, with that said, how do the pair stack up against one another?

Well, while it’s certainly less important for a centre-back, it’s the Bournemouth ace who just about comes out ahead when it comes to their respective output, producing three goal involvements in 31 games at an average of one every 10.33 games.

In contrast, the former Spezia ace has provided two assists in 23 games, coming out to an average of one every 11.5 games.

Unfortunately for the Polish international, he also comes out on the losing side when we take a look under the hood at their underlying numbers.

In fact, in practically every relevant metric for a modern centre-back, Huijsen comes out on top.

Assessing the data, it really is no surprise that data analyst Ben Mattinson called him “the most in-demand centre-back in the world” with the Cherries defender notably a clear upgrade in key metrics such as progressive passes, ball recoveries, key passes and aerial duels won per 90 minutes,

Ultimately, Kiwior has done an exemplary job in recent weeks, but there is no way around it: Huijsen is a far better player and prospect. Therefore, Arsenal should do all they can to sign the Spaniard this summer.

Best signing since Rice: £58m goalscoring "monster" wants to join Arsenal

The incredible international could be just what Arsenal need.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Apr 21, 2025

Manchester City staged an excellent comeback from two goals down to seal a 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League this afternoon.

When Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards put the away side 2-0 up, it looked as though it was going to be another poor result for the Etihad side in the top flight.

They rebounded wonderfully well to seal all three points and they remain fourth in the table at the time of writing as they chase a Champions League spot next season.

All the talk this week was on Kevin De Bruyne finally departing City, and he was outstanding against Palace.

Kevin De Bruyne’s stats vs Crystal Palace

The Belgian won’t go out winning another league title, but he is doing his best to make sure City finish in the top four.

Against Palace, he was pushed into a more advanced role and not only scored, but he also grabbed an assist during the tie.

De Bruyne also registered six total shots, missed two big chances, made four key passes and hit the woodwork in what was an energetic display in Manchester.

He might be advancing in age, but there is no doubt that when he is at his peak, few come close to performing like this. That’s for sure.

Pep Guardiola wasn’t relying on him solely, however, as there was a young talent making his first Premier League start for the club who shone today.

Man City shown why they don't need Gibbs-White

It appears as though City are keen on replacing De Bruyne with Nottingham Forest star Morgan Gibbs-White this summer.

Despite registering 14 goal contributions this season, Forest have reportedly slapped a £100m price tag on the attacking midfielder.

Do they really need him? James McAtee was superb this afternoon at the Etihad. On his first ever league start for the club, he scored a delightful goal in the second half along with creating two big chances and making two key passes throughout the game.

The youngster may have been deployed on the right flank against Palace, but he is at home in the number ten slot, playing there on numerous occasions this season to excellent effect.

McAtee’s maturity is getting better with each game. He only lost possession seven times during the clash, while making one tackle and winning two ground duels.

Chief Manchester City writer for the Manchester Evening News, Simon Bajkowski, gave the Englishman a match rating of 7/10, stating that he ‘made a lot happen’ when he was on the pitch.

Guardiola will need to bring in another big-name signing or two this summer to please the supporters and give the club a shot at winning another league title.

Is spending around £100m on Gibbs-White the right option, however? Especially with McAtee proving today that he can step up when it matters most.

Man City in contact with "electric" £30m full-back with Walker-esque pace

The Citizens could land a bargain deal…

By
Tom Cunningham

Apr 11, 2025