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Everton head into the 2025/26 campaign full of optimism after a solid second half of last term under David Moyes.

The Toffees move into their new stadium and hopes will be high that progress can be made on the field.

In order to move the club up the Premier League table next term, Moyes must spend money this summer; that much is certain.

With Profit and Sustainability regulations to abide by, the manager must balance his ins and outs strategically, which could make business more difficult.

One player who won’t be at the club next year is midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, who departs at the end of his contract.

Could the Merseyside outfit be eyeing a replacement?

Everton transfer news

According to GIVEMESPORT, Everton are just one of the clubs showing interest in Valentin Atangana this summer.

The Reims starlet is also being tracked by Leeds United. West Ham United, Burnley, and Crystal Palace are also among the potential suitors for the midfielder.

Due to Reims suffering relegation from Ligue 1 at the end of last term, Atangana could be available for a fee in the region of just £9m.

Given the fact Moyes might not have a financial war chest at his disposal, this sort of deal could see the club land a perfect replacement for Doucoure for a decent transfer fee.

Why Everton must sign Valentin Atangana

Doucoure spent five years at Goodison Park, making over 150 appearances for the club, contributing 35 goal involvements during that time.

At 32, he is past his peak, and freeing up his wages could give Moyes some flexibility in the transfer market this summer.

Last season, Atangana played 41 matches for Reims, although he couldn’t save the famous club from suffering relegation to the second tier.

Despite his tender years, the teenager shone over a range of metrics last season. Indeed, when compared to his peers in Ligue 1, the Frenchman ranked in the top 2% for percentage of dribblers tackled (73.7%) per 90, while also ranking in the top 10% for touches in the defensive third (3.63) and in the top 8% for aerials won (1.48) per 90.

It is evident based on these statistics that the midfielder offers excellent defensive support in the heart of the pitch, something which Everton have been missing of late.

U23 scout Antonio Mango hailed the teen sensation a few weeks ago, saying: “Defensive midfielder – Box-to-box style, great anticipation and technical ability to initiate attacks. He allows others to express themselves.”

By signing Atangana, Moyes will have someone who is able to prevent attacks and allow more creative players to thrive in the final third, knowing he is there to protect.

For just £9m, it could well be a shrewd move by the Toffees, although they will have to act swiftly to fend off the competition, and a perfect replacement for Doucoure in the middle of the park.

The next few weeks could be interesting indeed, that’s for sure.

Everton's new Richarlison: TFG line up move to sign "clinical" £17m CF

Everton are in the market for a centre-forward this summer, and they could find their next Richarlison.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 21, 2025

Manchester United are now ready to accelerate their move for an “extraordinary” striker, having already made an initial approach, according to a report.

Scholes urges Man Utd to sign two strikers

After missing out on the Champions League, there were some concerns that Man United would be unable to spend big this summer, but they have certainly been splashing the cash so far, having signed Matheus Cunha, while a £60m offer for Bryan Mbeumo is in the works.

A new striker also remains of interest to Ruben Amorim, given Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee’s struggles last season, and Paul Scholes has made the bold claim that two top centre-forwards should be brought in this summer.

Man Utd considering move to sign "incredible" Bayern Munich star for £25m

Amorim has identified a player he believes will transform his midfield and knows the Premier League well.

1

By
Brett Worthington

Jun 9, 2025

Scholes said: “I think Osimhen [is free to leave Napoli summer], it sounds like a doable one. When you talk about financial problems, he could be doable. But I’d keep [Rasmus] Hojlund. I know he’s not been great, but he’s a 22-year-old kid playing on his own for Man United the last two years.

“He’s had to play every week, he is the only one. Man United should have at least three top centre forwards. I’d have him and Osimhen and Gyokeres.”

It would be a real statement of intent if the Red Devils were able to bring in both Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyokeres this summer, but they certainly hold an interest in signing the Sporting CP striker.

According to a report from GiveMeSport, Man United have made informal contact over a deal for Gyokeres, and they are ready to accelerate the move for the Sweden international, with formal negotiations possible after also pursuing a deal for Mbeumo.

Should United become increasingly fearful of missing out on a deal for the Sporting CP star, they are prepared to step up their interest, but a deal may not be cheap, with the Portuguese club set to demand up to £70m.

Gyokeres could be "extraordinary" signing for Red Devils

Lauded as “extraordinary” by Sporting boss Rui Borges, the 27-year-old scored a remarkable 54 goals in 52 games last season, while he also caught the eye at international level, finishing as the top scorer in the UEFA Nations League.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that a deal could have been wrapped up quickly, had Man United qualified for the Champions League, but Mbeumo still wants to move to Old Trafford, despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur, indicating the Red Devils still have pulling power.

Romano also states that Benjamin Sesko is “the clear favourite” to join Arsenal, rather than Gyokeres, potentially opening the door for the Swede to reunite with Amorim, in what would be a real statement of intent from the Red Devils heading into next season.

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.

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By
Tom Cunningham

Apr 11, 2025