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Leeds United have had a busy summer transfer window, with a large focus on strengthening their attack.

Despite finishing as the Championship’s leading goalscorers last term, Daniel Farke’s side have concentrated on signing new forwards to help add to their forward line ahead of their relegation fight from the Premier League.

Two of their new additions have been free transfers, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin switching to Elland Road after his Everton contract expired, and Lukas Nmecha joining from Wolfsburg. Their other addition in attacking areas was that of AC Milan and Switzerland star Noah Okafor.

However, Farke is clearly still keen to add attacking depth to his side. Leeds are linked with a late move for yet another attacker.

Leeds push for new attacker

As the Whites’ search for a fourth attacker in the window goes on, they have been linked with a shock move for former Chelsea and Tottenham star Timo Werner. However, the RB Leipzig star rejected the newly-promoted side.

Transfer Focus

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

Instead, Farke and his side could make a move for a Ligue 1 star.

That’s according to a report from Sky Sports who say that Leeds are said to be looking for a ‘versatile forward’ in the next few days, and Strasbourg star Dilane Bakwa is a player ‘of interest’ to the 49ers group.

Leeds have been smart with their money on forwards this summer, making those two free signings, so there could be room left in the budget.

That is money that would be needed in this deal, given that Bakwa has been reportedly valued at £30m by Strasbourg this summer.

Why Bakwa would be a good signing

France U21 international Bakwa has certainly garnered a huge reputation in Ligue 1. He ticks the versatile attacker box that Leeds are looking for, and can play on both the right flank and as a centre-forward.

Last season, the 23-year-old, who hails from Creteil, just outside of Paris, played a huge part in Strasbourg reaching the UEFA Conference League. In 30 top-flight appearances for Liam Rosenior’s side, he bagged six goals and assisted a further nine.

The Strasbourg number 26 has already started the new campaign on fire. In the first two Ligue 1 games of the season, he has two assists, including this pinpoint cross to Emmanuel Emegha, which the striker headed home.

If Leeds manage to agree a deal to bring Bakwa to Yorkshire, they’d love for him to replicate the impact of their last great signing from Ligue 1, Raphinha.

Of course, the Brazilian is a Ballon d’Or contender for Barcelona, and has been on fire under Hansi Flick for the past 12 months.

Looking back at his days at Elland Road will surely always remind Leeds supporters just how good he was in White.

The Brazilian superstar played 67 times for the club, scoring 17 goals and assisting 12. Strikes like this against Everton were what made him so deadly.

Well, there are certainly similarities between Raphinha and Leeds’ potential new signing Bakwa. The attacker is also lighting up Ligue 1 before his prospective move to Elland Road, and is predominantly a right-winger but can lead the line, just like his Brazilian counterpart.

When looking at the underlying statistics from their most recent seasons in Ligue 1, it is easy to see why Bakwa could be the second coming of Raphinha at Leeds.

For example, the Frenchman averaged 3.86 progressive carries and 0.51 goals and assists per game last season, compared to the former Rennes winger’s tally of 3.40 progressive carries and 0.43 assists per 90 minutes.

Goals and assists

0.51

0.43

Progressive passes

4.66

3.67

Goal-creating actions

0.58

0.27

Progressive carries

3.86

3.4

Ball recoveries

3.32

5.21

A fee of £30m is a big investment just days before the transfer window slams shut, but Bakwa could be worth it for Leeds.

He is a “menacing” attacker, according to football scout Antonio Mango, and can hurt Premier League defenders with his efficiency in the final third.

If Bakwa can replace Raphinha, then he will be well-loved by Leeds fans this season and beyond.

Better than Okafor: Leeds eye last-minute move to sign "unplayable" star

Leeds United are reportedly eyeing up a last-minute move to sign a star who is even better than Noah Okafor.

2 ByDan Emery Aug 27, 2025

Everton could potentially complete the signing of an “excellent” player for a cut-price fee this summer, with his price tag plummeting as his club search for a route to cash in.

Moyes speaks positively about Calvert-Lewin

The Blues begin their Premier League season with a trip to Leeds United on Monday evening, as they come up against former striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Speaking ahead of the game, David Moyes discussed his former striker in positive fashion, saying he is happy that he has found a new challenge in his career.

“I’m pleased for Dom because I’ve had a really good relationship with him. I didn’t really get a chance to work with him. He picked up the injury – I think it was Brighton – and we only really got him back on the last day.

“I think I had one game or two games with Dom. But we found the financials too much at the time and we chose to move on. “I’m really pleased he’s got himself sorted out and gone to Leeds United and it’s a really good club.”

In terms of possible new signings for Everton between now and the end of this month, a positive update has now emerged regarding their potential pursuit of a long-time target.

Everton in the mix to sign "excellent" midfielder

According to a new report from A Bola [via Sport Witness], Everton are battling Al-Ahli for the signing of Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis this summer.

Grealish 2.0: Everton chasing late move to sign £26m star from top 4 club

Everton could stumble upon another Jack Grealish-style signing by landing this £26m star.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 17, 2025

His current club are said to be desperate to sell him, with his price tag dropping to as little as £17.2m from £25.8m in recent weeks, and a huge amount lower than his £103.5m release clause, which Benfica were quoting to teams last summer.

Luis has been a target for Everton for some time, with those high up at the club clearly rating him, so to sign him for a hugely cut-price fee before the end of the summer window could be a real coup.

The 25-year-old has matured into a dominant midfielder, winning two Primeira Liga titles for Benfica, among other trophies, as well as winning an incredible 82 caps for Portugal at international youth team level, and being called “excellent” by scout Jacek Kulig.

Portugal Under-21s

12

0

Portugal Under-20s

18

0

Portugal Under-19s

26

0

Portugal Under-17s

16

0

Portugal Under-16s

10

1

Portugal Under-15s

2

0

Moyes would surely love the idea of adding further defensive quality to his midfield, especially with Idrissa Gueye not getting any younger, so the hope is that a deal is struck for the Portuguese.

Heung-Min Son is loving life in the United States after bidding farewell to Tottenham, with the South Korean superstar netting his first MLS hat-trick for LAFC. After 10 years in north London, the 33-year-old forward now finds himself in California. He has made an immediate impact there, with another match ball being added to his collection against Real Salt Lake.

• Severed ties with Spurs after trophy triumph

  Son walked away from Spurs after a decade of loyal service. He signed off on a high, having captained the Premier League outfit to Europa League glory in 2024-25. Said success brought a 17-year wait for major silverware to a close.

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• Son net his first hat-trick for LAFC

• Chasing American dream alongside Messi

  A new challenge is now being embraced, with Son deciding – like Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi before him – to go chasing the American dream. He finds himself in Los Angeles, with his arrival there causing quite a stir.

  While Son remains a marketing dream, he does have to deliver on the field. He has been doing just that, with a first hat-trick of his stint in the States being recorded in a 4-1 win over RSL. Two clinical finishes were produced, before sliding in his third after being teed up by Denis Bouanga.

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  MLS warned: Son says he can get better

  Son believes that he can get even better, telling reporters: “I think I'm still adapting [to] this league, but I think I still can play better than where I am at for sure. I think it's a lot of communication with the players, and I think I have a very, very close relationship with everyone.

  “It's been five weeks, six weeks, I would say, but everybody just welcomed me so well and been communicating a lot of things. Also off the pitch, I think it's very important culture-wise. There's still other things in this league and then still understanding players each other more, but I think it quite works really well at the moment.”

West Bromwich Albion are broadening their horizons in the transfer market and have now received a reply to a bid for a talent from overseas, according to Ben Jacobs.

West Bromwich Albion step up hunt for new arrivals

The Baggies are hard at work in the window and have already brought Aune Heggebo, Nat Phillips and George Campbell in at The Hawthorns, though there are more additions set to come in the weeks to follow.

However, recent West Brom loan target Mikey Moore won’t be signing on the dotted line, with the Tottenham Hotspur man now closing in on a switch to Rangers for the season.

Following their defeat to Lincoln City in pre-season, Ryan Mason has urged his side to fix their teething problems in time for the new Championship campaign.

He stated: “It was disappointing, and not just the result, but I also understand there’s a lot to do. It’s our third game this week, which was good from some aspects, but I don’ think any of us were happy with the start we made to the game.

“This is something we need to fix quickly because the first Championship game is two weeks away. There’s positives from a physical side, and there’s the pre-season aspect, which says a lot at this stage. But, ultimately, we need to try and accelerate this process as quickly as possible.”

West Brom’s first five fixtures in the Championship

Blackburn Rovers (H)

Hawthorns

Derby County (H)

Hawthorns

Wrexham (A)

Racecourse Ground

Portsmouth (H)

Hawthorns

Stoke City (A)

bet365 Stadium

New additions will be key to implementing the improvement Mason is keen to deliver, and Northern Ireland international Jamal Lewis could strengthen the Baggies’ defensive line.

Now, they have received a reply for a bid submitted to try and land another defender who originates from much further afield.

West Brom receive outcome of bid for Luca Bombino

Taking to social media platform X, journalist Ben Jacobs has confirmed that West Brom have saw a bid turned down for FC San Diego defender Luca Bombino, who is actually on loan from Major League Soccer outfit LAFC.

Regardless, San Diego will trigger an option to buy the 19-year-old left-back upon the expiry of his temporary agreement. The Baggies are said to be well below their valuation of the United States Under-20 international.

While his club are in no rush to sell, reports of their rejected offer and interest in Lewis do indicate that West Brom are in the market for a new left-back.

Across the current season, Bombino has registered a goal and two assists in 19 MLS appearances, and he has previously been labelled a “talented young player with a bright future” by San Diego sporting director Tyler Heaps.

It remains to be determined whether West Brom will force a deal over the line, but they are seemingly looking at all avenues to source new additions.

Jurel, Dayal and Sarfaraz will be released to play the Irani Cup if they are not picked in India’s XI in the Kanpur Test against Bangladesh

Shashank Kishore24-Sep-2024Ishan Kishan’s return to red-ball cricket continues to gather steam with his selection in the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup, which will be played in Lucknow from October 1 to 5.Kishan recently marked his first appearance in first-class cricket since July 2023 – a period notable for the loss of his BCCI central contract – with a century for India C in the Duleep Trophy.Kishan is one of two wicketkeepers in the squad, with Dhruv Jurel also picked subject to India not selecting him in the XI for their second Test against Bangladesh, which is set to be played in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1.Left-arm quick Yash Dayal and middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan, who are also part of the Test squad, have been picked in the RoI and Mumbai squads respectively, with the same caveat.Related

Irani Cup moved from Mumbai to Lucknow

Mohammed Shami is a notable absentee from the RoI squad. Having not played any competitive cricket since last year’s 50-over World Cup, Shami was in contention to feature in at least one Duleep Trophy fixture to prove his match fitness. It seems now that his comeback is set to be delayed further, with him not part of the RoI squad.Shami himself is keen to give himself more time in rehab as he works his way back from an ankle surgery. The India fast bowler is keen to ease himself back up to the rigours of top-flight cricket in the Ranji Trophy beginning October 11. He has been named in Bengal’s list of probables for the season.The RoI squad features as many as four frontline openers – captain Gaikwad; Abhimanyu Easwaran, the second-highest run scorer in the recently concluded Duleep Trophy; Devdutt Padikkal; and B Sai Sudharsan.Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan have, however, recently embraced opportunities in the middle order. Padikkal batted at No. 4 on Test debut against England earlier this year in Dharamsala.Andhra’s Ricky Bhui and Baroda’s Shashwat Rawat have been rewarded for their Duleep Trophy form. Bhui top scored with 359 runs at an average of 71.80, with two hundreds and a half-century, while Rawat is coming off scores of 124 and 53 in his most recent outing for India A.RoI have picked a formidable pace attack that includes Prasidh Krishna, who recently made comeback from a quadriceps injury in the Duleep Trophy, alongside Mukesh Kumar and two left-arm quicks in Dayal and Khaleel Ahmed. Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain and Rahul Chahar are the spinners.Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane is set to lead a full-strength Mumbai squad that also features Shreyas Iyer, Prithvi Shaw and Sarfaraz. Rahane is coming off a steady diet of red-ball cricket for Leicestershire in the County Championship. There’s also comeback for India allrounder Shardul Thakur, who is fit again following foot surgery in June.Thakur, who picked up the injury during India’s tour of South Africa late last year, hasn’t played any professional cricket since IPL 2024. With a tour of Australia coming up, he will be hoping to bounce back into contention He last played for India in the first Test in Centurion in that South Africa series., before returning to perform for Mumbai during the Ranji knockouts.The match was originally to be held in Mumbai, but was moved out of the city due to the possibility of weather-related interruptions owing to the monsoons.Squads for the Irani CupRest of India: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vice-capt), B Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel (wk)*, Ishan Kishan (wk), Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Prasidh Krishna, Mukesh Kumar, Yash Dayal*, Ricky Bhui, Shashwat Rawat, Khaleel Ahmed, Rahul Chahar.Mumbai: Ajinkya Rahane (capt), Prithvi Shaw, Ayush Mhatre, Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan*, Shreyas Iyer, Siddhesh Lad, Suryansh Shedge, Hardik Tamore (wk), Sidhaant Addhatrao (wk), Shams Mulani, Tanush Kotian, Himanshu Singh, Shardul Thakur, Mohit Avasthi, Mohammad Juned Khan, Royston Dias.*

“You have to give priority to every franchise league otherwise cricket will not grow”

Vishal Dikshit14-Aug-2024

Jhulan Goswami has been Mumbai Indians’ mentor and bowling coach for the last two years•Mumbai Indians

Former India fast bowler Jhulan Goswami believes “franchise cricket is the future of women’s cricket” and that it’s time T20 leagues are prioritised over bilateral series. Goswami, the highest wicket-taker in women’s ODIs, has been the bowling coach and mentor with Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) for the last two years and is set to join the Trinbago Knight Riders coaching staff for the upcoming Women’s CPL.”It’s a big challenge for women’s cricket,” Goswami said on ESPNcricinfo’s Powerplay podcast about the calendar clashes. “Earlier we saw these things happen for men’s cricket but never expected it to happen for women’s cricket, but that’s happening. And I’m happy to see that. The ICC needs to take care, franchise cricket is the future of women’s cricket. And that’s the growth of women’s cricket globally. You have to give priority to every franchise league otherwise cricket will not grow.”The club-versus-country debate in women’s cricket has become louder especially in the last couple of years as T20 leagues have started to grow around the world. Top Australia players like Meg Lanning, Ashleigh Gardner and Tahlia McGrath pulled out of the women’s Hundred last year to manage their workloads in a busy 2023 which included the maiden WPL season along with the T20 World Cup, the multi-format Ashes, and the WBBL apart from other bilateral assignments. India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana had also pulled out of the WBBL for the second year in a row in 2023 to focus on domestic cricket.Related

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A similar calendar clash came up when England’s tour of New Zealand coincided with the last stage of the WPL in India earlier this year. As a result, England captain Heather Knight chose the bilateral tour over playing for eventual champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, while her team-mate Lauren Bell also pulled out of the WPL. More recently, Chamari Athapaththu, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh missed the first week of the women’s Hundred while featuring in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka last month.”See how many quality cricketers were produced by franchise cricket in the last few years, starting with WBBL as well as the Hundred, WCPL, WPL,” Goswami said. “A lot of youngsters they’ve provided every year so you have to give priority to those windows and after that you have to have bilateral series. If you have your bilateral series and franchise leagues clashing then you will lose out on quality cricketers. And if you don’t have quality cricketers then your tournament is not going to be successful. In women’s cricket we don’t have a lot of options, a few quality cricketers we have in the world. If they’re occupied in bilateral series, then the volume of the [T20] tournaments is going to go down. We should make sure that when the premier league (franchise) tournaments are going on, give them certain windows and after that you have the bilateral series. It will help women’s cricket’s growth also. That is my personal view.”A busy calendar awaits for the rest of 2024 as well. Once the women’s Hundred finishes on August 18 at Lord’s, the three-team WCPL will be played from August 22 to 30 in the Caribbean, featuring international players from India, South Africa, Sri Lanka, England and Australia. The action will then move to the T20 World Cup slated in October, and seven days after that ends, the WBBL will begin, scheduled from October 27 to December 1. That’s the time the home season kicks off for Australia, Bangladesh, South Africa, India and New Zealand. All these teams are also scheduled to host international matches in December and January, according to the FTP.

Manchester United are now showing serious interest in signing an £85 million midfielder from a Club World Cup side, according to a recent report.

Man Utd chasing multiple strikers amid search for new front three

The current focus at Old Trafford remains on completing the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, but once that deal is done, United will switch their attentions to completing the rest of their new-look front three with a new number nine.

A better move than Ekitike: Man Utd preparing bid for "top-class" £44m ST

Manchester United appear top be making more moves for a striker ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

1 ByEthan Lamb Jun 23, 2025

Rasmus Hojlund looks as though he could be moved on by the Red Devils this summer to make way for a new striker. Indeed, reports have already emerged that Hojlund has given the go ahead to join Inter Milan.

Meanwhile, United are assessing their options for who could replace the Dane. Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres looked to be one of their preferred targets, given his connection with Ruben Amorim, but they have now moved onto other targets.

Hugo Ekitike is a player who has emerged as a strong candidate to become United’s new number nine in recent weeks. The Premier League side have held talks with his representatives over a move to Old Trafford, although it’s claimed that Eintracht Frankfurt would want around £85 million.

But there are also two new names in the frame, as reports over the weekend revealed United are interested in signing Moise Kean from Fiorentina, after he scored 19 goals in Serie A last season, and United are seriously considering a move to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.

Man Utd showing serious interest in Richard Rios

As well as signing a new centre-forward, it’s been well publicised that Amorim wants a new midfielder, and they may now have found their ideal target. According to reports relayed by The Express, Man United are interested in signing Richard Rios from Palmeiras.

Rios is now a concrete target for the Red Devils, as they are seriously interested in a transfer, but a move will have to wait until after Palmeiras’ Club World Cup campaign has come to an end.

The report states that United are likely to prioritise signing a defensive midfielder this summer, as captain Bruno Fernandes is set for a deeper role next season, given the arrival of Matheus Cunha and the potential arrival of Mbeumo.

Rios, who has been described as a “ball-carrying machine” by data analyst Ben Mattinson, has been at Palmeiras since March 2023. The 25-year-old has become a key performer for the Brazilian side, as shown in the Club World Cup, where he’s played and started both games so far, drawing with Porto and beating Ahly SC.

Apps

2

Starts

2

Minutes per game

89

Total shots

1.5

Touches

43.0

Key passes

1.0

Passing accuracy per game

18.5 (77%)

Interceptions per game

3.0

Tackles per game

2.0

Balls recovered per game

5.5

Total duels won

7.0 (54%)

It is reported that Rios has a staggering £85 million release clause in his contract, which could be considered a lot for the Red Devils. Either way, signing Rios may have to be put on hold until they balance the books and move a few of the unwanted players on first. Rios’ potential arrival at Old Trafford would see him join Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo and Toby Collyer as the defensive-minded midfielders in the squad.

It’s not long until silly season begins, with that weird hinterland between the end of the 2024/25 campaign and the opening of the summer transfer window already affecting Liverpool.

Only, the recent rumours that Florian Wirtz is on Anfield’s radar as Arne Slot works with sporting director Richard Hughes to determine the best strategy to strengthen his title-winning side this summer.

Once upon a time, such a signing would have indeed felt absurd for the Reds, but this is a new era on Merseyside and it’s one to keep an eye on, to be sure.

How much Wirtz may cost Liverpool

Liverpool fans have been getting themselves acquainted with Wirtz this week. The Bayer Leverkusen star is being anticipated to leave this summer, and, yes, he’s on FSG’s watchlist.

The problem, naturally, is that Manchester City are also keen on signing the German playmaker up, with The Athletic even revealing on Wednesday that the Premier League behemoths have held talks with Wirtz’s representatives

Bayern Munich are still in the driving seat, but this is proving to be an open race, one which could end with the 22-year-old at any of the destinations.

Wirtz, who has plundered 31 goal contributions this year after winning last year’s Bundesliga Player of the Season as an invincible champion, would likely cost Liverpool €150m (about £126m) to prise away from Leverkusen.

As with Alexander Isak, it would be foolish not to have an alternative lined up; luckily, FSG do at that.

Liverpool's dream Wirtz alternative

Liverpool clearly fancy a new playmaking midfielder, and though Wirtz is the cream of the crop, Xavi Simons isn’t far behind him.

Simons has gone from strength to strength in the Bundesliga, no longer one of the pack at Paris Saint-Germain and instead a “superstar” who is “destined for greatness,” as has been claimed by analyst Ben Mattinson.

The 22-year-old has been a key presence for RB Leipzig over the past two seasons, scoring 20 goals and laying on 23 more assists over 70 appearances.

Back in March, it was revealed that Liverpool were preparing a £67 bid for Simons, and while that didn’t materialise, the interest is genuine and he’s got his sights on the Premier League. Last Slot would love to work with his countryman, who would fit right into his midfield.

This is something of a Dutch revolution, after all. Simons is destined for the Premier League, insofar as he wants to join and has the skill set to flourish on English soil.

Like Wirtz, Simons is comfortable across a wealth of attacking positions, perhaps even more so. This season, he’s flitted back and forth from left wing and a more central attacking position, effective from both vantages.

So then, a young and right-footed playmaker with a dynamic approach. He ticks many of the same boxes as Wirtz, and he holds his own from a technical standpoint too.

Matches (starts)

30 (24)

24 (24)

Goals

10

9

Assists

12

7

Shots (on target)*

2.5 (1.2)

1.9 (0.8)

Pass completion

82%

83%

Big chances created

17

12

Key passes*

1.9

2.1

Dribbles*

2.7

1.3

Ball recoveries*

3.6

5.2

Tackles*

1.1

1.1

Duels won*

5.3

5.4

Honestly, there isn’t all that much to differentiate the two playmakers. Maybe Wirtz pips Simons, but the Netherlands international has got more than enough to make a real impact on Slot’s side.

Indeed, given that Leipzig would be seeking out a smaller fortune for his sale too, it’s something of a no-brainer given the size of the rebuild that is needed this summer.

If you needed a further illustration of the little magician’s ability, FBref have laid out even more of Simons’ impressive data from the 2024/25 campaign.

It’s shown that he ranks among the top 11% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for touches, the top 6% for ball recoveries, the top 12% for shot-creating actions, the top 1% for through balls, the top 12% for passes attempted and the top 13% for progressive passes per 90.

Truly, he’s one of the best passers out there. Given that Simons has scored more goals than he’s assisted this season, moreover, there’s even more excitement sure to be emanating from the Reds camp, whose pursuit of Wirtz could lead them to Simons, and it’s hard to suggest they’d be significantly worse off for it.

He’s withheld from mentioning him until this point, but Trent Alexander-Arnold’s expected move to Real Madrid demands a new elite-level playmaker to bolster Slot’s squad.

With a deal for Jeremie Frimpong reportedly in the closing stages, Liverpool have moved swiftly to secure competition for Conor Bradley. But neither full-back represents the one-of-a-kind creative quality of Trent.

Slot is actually clever to be shifting the playmaking focus into a more conventional number ten berth. Whether this gambit proves to be a success remains to be seen, but if Wirtz and Simons are the targets, it’s hard to envisage all that much going wrong for the Premier League champions.

It’s an exciting time to be a Liverpool fan.

A dream for Salah: Liverpool moving to sign "the world's best midfielder"

Liverpool boss Arne Slot’s season will be rewarded in the transfer market this summer.

2 ByAngus Sinclair May 15, 2025

Arsenal are expected to sign world football’s “second best” player with the groundwork for a deal already done, according to a very reliable media source.

Andrea Berta holds talks with key Arsenal targets

New sporting director Andrea Berta is set to take the lead in what is anticipated to be a pretty busy summer window for the north Londoners.

Related Arsenal make offer to £30m star after Berta successfully convinced Arteta

The Italian and Arsenal’s manager are already working on the club’s transfer plans this summer.

Posts 9 ByEmilio Galantini May 9, 2025

Nuno Tavares, Albert Sami Lokonga, Fabio Vieira and Oleksandr Zinchenko could all quit Arsenal in the summer, according to Sami Mokbel, with Jorginho also agreeing to join Flamengo and Kieran Tierney set to make a return to Celtic after their contracts expire.

Arsenal’s final Premier League games

Date

Liverpool (away)

May 11th

Newcastle United (home)

May 18th

Southampton (away)

May 25th

If Arsenal don’t agree an extension with Thomas Partey, following his arguably best season at the Emirates to date, then the Ghana international will follow them – so it appears there will be plenty of ins and outs.

In terms of incomings, Berta is believed to have reached out to the representatives of a few key summer targets already.

Recently, the Italian has been pushing to sign Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, with extensive discussions held, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.

As well as this, Berta reached out for talks with Nico Williams’ representatives in one of his first acts as sporting director, as per The Guardian’s Ed Aarons, with Arsenal exploring a move for one of La Liga’s standout talents.

However, one man who could be arriving before any of them is Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi.

The Gunners have been in advanced talks for his signature since January (The Mail), and the reliable David Ornstein says that those within Arsenal are behaving like they’ve already sealed a deal for Zubimendi.

Arsenal expected to sign Martin Zubimendi this summer

Now, a very credible source in the BBC, and their reporter Mokbel, have shared an update of their own.

Arsenal are very much expected to sign Zubimendi, according to their information, and the groundwork for a deal has already been done, largely by ex-sporting director Edu Gaspar and interim chief Jason Ayto.

The Spain international’s £51 million release clause looks likely to be triggered, but Arsenal should be wary that Zubimendi rejected a move to Liverpool last summer.

Arsenal will be eager to get this over the line early doors after months of negotiations, especially considering Zubimendi’s pedigree as a truly elite number six.

“For me, Martín is the second-best player in the world. We are incredibly lucky to have these two, who I consider the best players in the world.” said Spain boss Luis de la Fuente on Zubimendi and Rodri.

“But we also have other fantastic players who’ve been here and are with us now—another fantastic player, Pepelu hasn’t come yet, but he’s been called up with us.”

As the Champions League quarter-finals get underway, Nottingham Forest supporters can only look on as Midlands rivals Aston Villa chase the ultimate glory on Europe’s biggest stage.

However, after a dazzling season that has seen Nuno Espirito Santo’s side make a charge for the continent’s premier club competition, Forest could yet be mixing it with the big boys, as they sit third with seven games remaining.

With England set to be handed five slots in the 2025/26 league phase, Forest’s chances of returning to the Champions League for the first time since 1980 have been enhanced further.

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But with some crunch fixtures and an FA Cup semi-final to navigate before the season’s end, everything still hangs in the balance.

So when could Nottingham Forest confirm their place in the Champions League? Here, we look at the permutations.

Who qualifies for the Champions League?

England are set to earn a fifth Champions League place via the league this season.

This is a result of English clubs’ performances in Europe this year, with five clubs still active across the three European competitions: Arsenal and Aston Villa in the Champions League; Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in the Europa League; and Chelsea in the Conference League.

Manchester City and Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League in the knockout play-off round and last 16 respectively.

The two nations with the highest national coefficients for the season earn an extra Champions League place.

England’s coefficient for the season is far greater than the likes of Italy and Germany, making them near-certainties to gain the fifth league spot at the time of writing.

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1 ByRoss Kilvington Feb 10, 2025 How many points do Nottingham Forest need to claim a top-five spot?

As things stand, Nottingham Forest would require 74 points to absolutely guarantee a place in the Premier League’s top five.

With sixth-placed reigning champions Manchester City on 52 points – five behind Forest ahead of the Reds’ weekend clash against Everton – the maximum points haul Pep Guardiola’s side can reach is 73.

This means Forest’s fight to confirm could go to the wire, but with the number of teams involved, it’s unlikely that another 17 points from 21 available will be necessary, particularly with some playing each other in the run-in.

Rank

Team

P

GD

PTS

Nottingham Forest

31

+14

Chelsea

31

+17

Newcastle

30

+13

Man City

31

+17

Aston Villa

31

0

Who are Nottingham Forest's top-five challengers?

While Liverpool and Arsenal are leading the pack (the Anfield side have already confirmed their place in the Champions League), Forest are currently at the front of the queue to join them in the UCL.

As of 8th April, there is a four-point buffer to Chelsea and Newcastle United, though the Magpies have a game in hand. Nevertheless, Forest are fully in control of their destiny as it stands.

Outside the current top five, Man City and Aston Villa will be hoping to usurp those in front of them, but like Forest, both of those clubs have the added challenge of dealing with cup campaigns.

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It looks as though the likes of Fulham, Brighton and Bournemouth have dropped out of Champions League contention.

Chelsea are the only side currently in the top half on Forest’s fixture list, which may give the East Midlanders an advantage in the season’s final weeks.

And bar a late-season collapse, Forest’s Champions League fate may well have been decided before their clash with the Conference League-chasing Blues on the final day.

Date/Team

Nottm Forest

Chelsea

Newcastle

Man City

Aston Villa

12th April

Everton (H)

Crystal Palace (H)

Southampton (A)

13th April

Ipswich (H)

Man Utd (H)

16th April

Crystal Palace (H)

19th April

Aston Villa (A)

Everton (A)

Newcastle (H)

20th April

Fulham (A)

21st April

Tottenham (A)

22nd April

Aston Villa (H)

Man City (A)

26th April

Everton (H)

Ipswich (H)

1st May

Brentford (H)

2nd May

Wolves (H)

3rd May

Fulham (H)

4th May

Liverpool (H)

Brighton (A)

5th May

Crystal Palace (A)

10th May

Newcastle (A)

Chelsea (H)

Southampton (A)

Bournemouth (A)

11th May

Leicester (H)

18th May

West Ham (A)

Man Utd (H)

Arsenal (A)

Bournemouth (H)

Tottenham (H)

25th May

Chelsea (H)

Nottm Forest (A)

Everton (H)

Fulham (A)

Man Utd (A)

Can Nottingham Forest do it?

Forest are certainly in a great position at this late stage of the season. Having battled relegation and a points deduction last term, not many will have seen this coming.

But now is the crunch period – so can they pull off an incredible transformation and qualify for the Champions League?

One thing certainly in their favour is the run-in – all bar one of their remaining opponents headed into April as a bottom-half club.

Another reason they could receive a boost is the congested field battling for a top-five place. Villa still have to face Man City and Newcastle, who also have Chelsea and potential banana-skin trips to Brighton and Arsenal to come.

This means guaranteed dropped points, so Forest will most likely be afforded more wriggle room before the season concludes.

However, there are at least a couple of pitfalls for Forest to be wary of. One is their goal difference, which is weaker than Chelsea’s and Manchester City’s and perilously close to Newcastle’s, who have scored marginally more goals as things stand.

If things get tight, they could be left to rue their 5-0 defeat to Bournemouth, even if it was remedied by their 7-0 demolition of Brighton a week later.

Understandably, there is also a lack of run-in experience – at the top end, at least. However, their rate of improvement and general consistency suggests they have what it takes to get over the line.

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