All posts by n8rngtd.top

Liverpool have adopted the mantra that the best form of defence is attack. Certainly, this is true of their summer transfer window so far, having made sweeping changes after winning the Premier League.

Some expected Arne Slot to be relieved of his duties as helmsman before the end of the 2024/25 campaign, let alone win the title with such dispatch.

Always ahead of the rabble, the Reds will now look to defend their title and challenge for more silverware across tournament fronts, well-equipped to do so after signing Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Though Liverpool are definitely interested in bringing in a centre-back – having attempted to sign Dean Huijsen before he joined Real Madrid and now setting their sights on Marc Guehi – many fans would agree that a centre-forward is more desperately needed.

Wirtz’s world-class playmaking would raise the level of any striker, but it won’t be enough to salvage Darwin Nunez’s Anfield career.

Why Liverpool are selling Darwin Nunez

When Liverpool signed Nunez from Benfica three years ago, they thought they had secured a superstar in the making. Jurgen Klopp led the bid.

However, the Uruguay international, 25, has only scored 25 goals across his three terms in the Premier League, routinely criticised for his wayward finishing.

The pace and pressure that English football applies has foiled many a talented up-and-comer, and though Nunez has had his moments – that winner at the City Ground, that match-winning brace against Brentford – personal triumphs have been few and far between.

Under Slot’s guidance, he has scored seven times in 47 matches. Presenting that data differently, Nunez failed to score across 42 fixtures in 2024/25.

The marriage is over, but it’s an amiable divorce. Serie A champions Napoli are currently pushing to sign the striker, and it’s a move that will benefit all parties involved.

Nunez will enjoy the slower pace of the Italian division. Napoli, then, have the chance to rekindle this maverick, turn him into a chaotic weapon.

And Liverpool? Well, Liverpool will sign someone better.

Liverpool set sights on Nunez upgrade

According to German reporter Christian Falk, Liverpool are still interested in Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike. The sought-after star has been expected to leave Germany this summer, but his club are playing hardball.

Indeed, Liverpool have been joined by Chelsea and Manchester United in considering a deal, but Frankfurt seem set on sticking to their €100m (£85m) valuation, a figure no one will pay.

Falk believes Liverpool will not open contacts with Frankfurt until Nunez’s future has been sorted, and a resolution on that front appears to be imminent.

Why Liverpool should sign Hugo Ekitike

Time was when the ballpark of £85m would get you record-breaking players, those of the top brass. Now, such figures make for just another day for clubs looking to stay competitive at the highest level.

That’s not to discredit Ekitike’s skill set; the Frenchman has been called “one of the best strikers out there” by analyst Ben Mattinson, after all.

And he could reach some staggering standard, of course. Ekitike is tall and powerful and dynamic, endowed with pace and awareness to combine with a hunger to rattle shots off at goal.

You can only imagine the levels he could reach at Liverpool, combining with someone like Wirtz, whom Xabi Alonso had no qualms about labelling a “genius” of a playmaker for his vision and creative passing.

Wirtz’s ability to score and to assist with regularity would suit a modern-tailored striker like Ekitike to a tee, for he scored 22 goals and assisted 12 more across all competitions in 2024/25, going from strength to strength after arriving in Germany as a loanee in January 2024, scoring four times across the latter half of that Bundesliga season before wrapping the deal up by the end for €35m (£30m).

A lofty figure for a relatively unproven prospect at the time, but who can argue that Frankfurt haven’t got bang for their buck now? Ekitike will be sold for a mammoth figure, even if it doesn’t quite reach the ballpark that Die Adler are hoping for.

While some might have reservations over Ekitike’s age, and indeed his rawness, you can only imagine the heights he could reach in front of Liverpool’s new record signing, and that’s without even considering the magic of Mohamed Salah being sprinkled in from the right too.

Of course, Wirtz will certainly be helped by Ekitike’s instinctiveness, the forward’s sharp movements and clever flicks apt to cause mayhem for opposing defences when collecting one of Wirtz’s surgical passes, his angled crosses, his deft layoffs.

And, furthermore, the rangy talent boasts an underlying skill set to behold, bearing all the dynamism and roundedness that Liverpool typically like from their frontmen.

As per FBref, he finished the Bundesliga campaign ranked among the top 8% of strikers for pass completion, the top 16% for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for progressive carries and the top 3% for successful take-ons per 90.

No doubt, he’d be a dream for Liverpool’s new German superstar, actually praised for his “incredible” style of play by teammate Rasmus Kristensen.

Of course, Liverpool would get a more refined and established nine in Alexander Isak, who has demonstrable experience in the Premier League and Champions League, also scoring as Newcastle United beat Slot to the Carabao Cup in March.

However, Ekitike is more affordable and has the potential to grow into a bona fide sensation. Partnered with Wirtz over the coming years, whose elegant and intelligent performances would serve chances to the France talent on gleaming platters, Slot might just hit the jackpot.

Better than Gyokeres: Liverpool in the race for "the new Haaland"

Liverpool are sounding out a series of Alexander Isak alternatives this summer.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 27, 2025

West Ham United find themselves ready to move on from the dissapointment of last campaign under Graham Potter and have now turned their attention to an England cap also desires by their rivals, according to a report.

West Ham look to kickstart slow transfer window

Without putting too fine a point on it, the Hammers have endured a slow transfer window so far as they weigh up what direction to go down at the London Stadium. Despite a lack of notable links, former scout Mick Brown has detailed that West Ham are set to make a ‘formal approach’ for Rangers striker Hamza Igamane following his debut campaign in Scotland.

He stated: “West Ham are about make a formal move for Igamane. They’ve had scouts up there watching him and he’s one of the names on their radar.

“But I’m told they’re not convinced he’s ready to make the step up to the Premier League. He’s looked impressive for Rangers at times, but he’s playing in a side which finished 17 points short of Celtic, so it’s a difficult one to judge.”

Talks have also been held between the Hammers and Adama Bojang, so there is a clear appetite there for Graham Potter to add attacking reinforcements.

Free transfer: West Ham in contact to sign £100k-p/w star who Potter loves

The Hammers could land themselves a bargain.

2

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Jun 15, 2025

However, the forward line won’t be the only place strengthened by those in the corridors of power. Vladimir Coufal has left West Ham on a free transfer, signalling that a right-back will be on the agenda to replace the experienced Czechia international.

With that in mind, the Londoners could now look to beat one of their city rivals in pursuit of a defender who has been capped by England and is available for free.

West Ham line up Kyle Walker-Peters move

According to CaughtOffside, West Ham have positioned themselves to sign Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters, though he is also attracting interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Fulham and Crystal Palace.

The 28-year-old has been identified by Thomas Frank as a sensible signing and Spurs are front of the queue, but the Hammers are ‘closely monitoring’ his situation and could launch a counter to any attempts from their London rivals to win the race for his signature.

Intriguingly, the former Spurs man has featured in a variety of different positions this campaign, including both flanks, either full-back berth and even as a central defender.

His availability on a free transfer is majorly appealing to top-flight clubs alongside Walker-Peters’ homegrown status, though he has the monopoly of choosing his next destination and will likely take his time to do so.

Labelled “brilliant” by Russell Martin, Everton were also in the running before they opted to sign Kenny Tete on a free transfer from Fulham.

Attracting a significant level of interest, Walker-Peters, who earns £20,000 a week at St Mary’s, is an intriguing proposition on the market this summer and whoever lands him will be laying claim to a wealth of experience and quality.

Glasgow Rangers manager Russell Martin has plenty of challenges facing him in his new role at Ibrox.

First and foremost, strengthening the squad is a priority. Ianis Hagi, Tom Lawrence and Leon Balogun all left at the end of last season following the expiration of their contracts.

Elsewhere, the likes of Ben Davies, Rabbi Matondo and Kieran Dowell may also be surplus to requirements ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, after spending time out on loan last year.

Add in the fact that Vaclav Cerny, Rafael Fernandes and Neraysho Kasinwirjo all returned to their parent clubs. This leaves Martin short in several areas, notably in defence.

At the time of writing, the only senior centre-backs at the club are John Souttar, Leon King, Robin Propper and Clinton Nsiala.

King and Nsiala are only 21 and played just 18 games between them during 2024/25, highlighting the need for another centre-back or two this summer.

How Martin would love to call upon a player who could command the backline with their sheer presence. Someone who would strike fear in opponents due to their sublime defensive abilities and excellent reading of the game.

Someone like David Weir, for example…

Why Weir was one of Walter Smith’s best Rangers signings

Smith made a host of superb signings during his two spells in charge of the Glasgow giants. Paul Gascoigne, Brian Laudrup and Stuart McCall, to name a few, are all legends at the club who were signed by Smith.

Fast-forward to his second stint and Smith landed talents such as Lee McCulloch, Nikica Jelavic and Pedro Mendes, among others. They all played their part as the Gers won three league titles in a row between 2009 and 2011.

Weir, however, must go down as one of Smith’s most important signings. The veteran centre-back arrived at Ibrox in January 2007 after he left Everton.

It was only meant to be a six-month deal in order to help Smith steady the ship. What followed is the stuff of legend.

Weir made a total of 226 appearances for the Light Blues between January 2007 and January 2012, scoring five goals in the process.

His leadership traits eventually led the club back to the summit of Scottish football, while he was a key part of the team that reached the UEFA Cup final in 2008, playing 61 matches that campaign.

Never one blessed with pace, Weir was wonderful at reading the game and didn’t have to rely on matching an opponent for speed, especially with his excellent footballing brain.

While Weir is an anomaly, Martin could look to repeat Smith’s transfer masterclass by moving for a veteran defender who has spent the previous few years playing in England.

Rangers search for a new defender

Since Martin was appointed as the new Rangers manager, several defenders have been linked with a move to the club.

Harry Darling – who played under Martin at MK Dons and Swansea City – was one. As to was Ipswich Town centre-back Cameron Burgess.

While both would be solid signings, adding some depth to a problematic area, the Gers are interested in someone who has far more experience than those two.

According to Rangers Review journalist Joshua Barrie, the Gers are keen on a move for English defender Conor Coady, with a deal said to have already been “explored”.

While Coady echoes Weir in terms of leadership and a solid ability on the ball, at 32, might Martin perhaps take a deeper look into younger targets.

Weir, however, didn’t do too badly when he signed at the age of 36. Might Coady follow in his footsteps?

Why Rangers must sign Conor Coady

Souttar needs someone next to him who can play to his strengths. Last season, Propper struggled to cope with the physicality of Scottish football, making mistakes and often being rag-dolled by opposition forwards. He himself admitted he had “underestimated” the demands of Scottish football.

Transfer Focus

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

Coady shouldn’t have a problem in this regard. The Englishman played 22 times in the Premier League last season for Leicester City.

While the Foxes may have been relegated, Coady finished the season with a 91% pass completion percentage, along with winning 53% of his ground duels and losing possession just 4.7 times per game for the club.

When compared to his positional peers across the top five European leagues, Coady’s pass success rate ranked him in the top 15%, while he also ranked in the top 5% for shots blocked (1.26) per 90.

Considering the fact that he was playing in a poor team, plus his advancing years, there is still plenty to like about Coady and what he could offer Rangers next season.

The defender has plenty of experience at the highest level and even won ten caps for England under the leadership of Gareth Southgate.

Southgate handed Coady the captain’s armband during just his second appearance for England in October 2020. Against Wales, he scored his first-ever England goal and was even dubbed “infectious” by the boss following his display.

The 32-year-old has just one more year left on his contract at the Foxes and, with their relegation to the second tier, will he be willing to drop a division, especially with plenty to offer?

Martin should act accordingly in order to try and secure a deal for the defender this summer, as he could well have competition for his signature.

On a short-term deal, Coady could potentially have the same sort of impact that Weir had upon arriving in Glasgow in 2007.

It sounds like a real no-brainer of a signing and one that could ease Martin’s fears about the state of the defence heading into the Champions League qualifiers.

Watch this space.

Big Propper upgrade: Rangers keen on signing "outstanding" CB for Martin

As Russell Martin aims to rebuild his Rangers squad, could he sign an “outstanding” young centre-back for free as a massive Robin Pröpper upgrade?

By
Ben Gray

Jun 13, 2025

The transfer window might have only officially opened a few days ago, but Premier League clubs are moving fast, and Arsenal need to keep up.

For example, while the signing of Martin Zubimendi feels imminent, Liverpool have already picked up Jeremie Frimpong and look set to land Florian Wirtz at some point.

Even Manchester United, who endured one of their worst seasons ever, are making moves, with Matheus Cunha already secured and Bryan Mbeumo making it clear he wants to join them.

The Brentford star has previously been linked with the Gunners, but while missing out on him is far from ideal, recent reports suggest the North Londoners are progressing with another attacker who’d be their answer to the Cameroonian.

Arsenal transfer news

Arsenal might not have secured any offensive signings just yet, but it feels more like a matter of when and not if, as over the last few weeks, the club have been linked with more than their fair share of exciting options, like Benjamin Sesko and Joao Pedro.

Transfer Focus

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

The former could cost around £68m this summer, and while that might be a lot to pay for a 22-year-old, he has proven himself to be a reliable attacking outlet, scoring 21 goals and providing six assists in 45 games this season.

On the other hand, Pedro might cost up to a staggering £70m, and while he’s undoubtedly a talented player, we aren’t entirely sure his haul of ten goals and seven assists this season quite justifies that price tag.

Fortunately, another free-scoring phenom is high on the Gunners’ shortlist this summer: Viktor Gyokeres.

According to a recent report from Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, Arsenal are among several teams incredibly interested in the Sporting CP star.

The report claims that the Gunners, Manchester United and Napoli are among the frontrunners to land the Swedish international but to do so, they’ll have to pay up to €70m, which is around £59m.

It could be a complicated and costly deal to get over the line, but Gyokeres would certainly be worth pushing the boat out for, especially as he could be the North Londoners’ answer to Mbeumo.

Why Gyokeres could be Arsenal's answer to Mbeumo

Now, while Mbeumo is primarily a winger and Gyokeres is an out-and-out striker, there are several similarities between the pair that could make the latter Arsenal’s answer to United signing the former.

Firstly, both players honed their craft in the EFL, with the Cameroon international joining Brentford from Troyes in the summer of 2019 at just 19 years old and making 86 appearances in the Championship, in which he scored 23 goals and provided 18 assists.

Likewise, following a couple of middling loans, the Sporting star joined Coventry City on a short-term deal in January 2021 and then on a permanent deal that summer.

During his two-and-a-half seasons with the Sky Blues, the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace made 110 second-tier appearances, in which he scored 41 goals and provided 15 assists, which was enough to earn him his move to Portugal.

This brings us to the second reason he’d be the North Londoners’ answer to the Red Devils’ question, which is that, like the Bees ace, the Stockholm-born “powerhouse,” as dubbed by analyst Ben Mattinson, would be their own game-changing attacking signing.

For example, there can be no doubt that Reuben Amorim’s side will be more dangerous next season with a player who racked up 29 goal involvements this season.

In the Gunners’ case, the addition of a striker who managed to score 54 goals and provide 13 assists in 52 games this season could be utterly transformational and turn them from an almost side to one who could win it all next year.

Ultimately, while they aren’t exactly the same sort of player, there is no doubt that signing Gyorkeres would be the perfect response from Arsenal to United signing Mbeumo.

Their answer to Wirtz: Arsenal moving to sign "terrifyingly good" £85m star

The international superstar would be an incredible addition to Arsenal’s squad.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 3, 2025

Winger Manor Solomon is a player who has captured the hearts of the Leeds United fanbase, impressing during his loan stint at the club during the title-winning campaign.

The Israeli international joined the Whites on a season-long loan deal from Tottenham Hotspur, looking to get his career back on track and fire Daniel Farke’s side back to the Premier League.

It’s safe to say that the 25-year-old has done exactly that, registering 10 goals and 13 assists across all competitions, leading to calls for him to be signed on a permanent basis.

With the transfer window now open once again, the club have the opportunity to complete such a deal, but up to now, there has been no progress, with it remaining unclear whether he will return to Yorkshire.

As a result, other forwards have since emerged on their radar as the German looks to build a side capable of surviving the drop come the end of May 2026.

The latest on Leeds’ hunt for new attackers this summer

In recent days, striker Davie Selke has emerged as a potential option for Leeds this summer, with a report claiming that they’ve already held talks with his representatives over a move to Yorkshire.

The 30-year-old has been in splendid form throughout 2024/25, scoring 22 times in his 31 appearances – the most in the Bundesliga 2 and helping Hamburg secure a return to the top-flight.

However, another name has entered the mix in recent days, with Feyenoord winger Igor Paixao a summer target, that’s according to Dutch outlet FR12.

The report claims that the Whites have made an enquiry to sign the 24-year-old star, who’s registered 32 combined goals and assists across all competitions this campaign.

It also states that Marseille and Brighton and Hove Albion have made moves for the Brazilian, who could be available for a fee in the region of £34m this summer.

Why Leeds’ £34m target could be Farke’s own Sinisterra

Colombian winger Luis Sinisterra was seen as a huge addition back in the summer of 2022, joining Leeds in a £21.4m deal – looking to add key depth to their frontline.

The 25-year-old only made 19 appearances during his first season at Elland Road, but managed to find the net on five occasions, with injuries plaguing his progress after his big-money move.

After the side suffered relegation back to the Championship, he would leave to join Bournemouth on loan, before making his move permanent last summer in a £20m deal.

It was a partially successful deal, which only saw them lose £1.4m on their investment, in a move that was ultimately cut short due to the club’s slide down the football pyramid.

However, they could repeat such a deal this summer with Paixao, potentially joining Farke’s side from Dutch outfit Feyenoord – just as Sinisterra did three years ago.

When delving into the Brazilian’s underlying stats from 2024/25, he’s managed to outperform Solomon in numerous key areas, allowing the manager to forget about a dream reunion this summer.

Paixao, who’s been labelled “exquisite” by talent scout Antionio Mango, has registered more goals and assists, whilst posting a higher shot on target rate – subsequently showcasing his clinical edge in attacking areas.

He’s also completed more carries into the final third and made more passes into the opposition area, having the tools to aid the likes of Piroe in being a success in England’s top flight.

The 24-year-old has also won more aerial duels, offering Farke a top-level all-round option in attacking areas – something which will be vital if they are to secure survival.

£34m may seem a huge fee for a player who’s unproven in the Premier League, but his talent is there for all to see, undoubtedly providing a better option than Solomon next season.

A move for Paixao is certainly a risk worth taking this summer, but the hierarchy will have to work quickly to avoid missing out on his signature, given the interest from elsewhere.

A better signing than Phillips: Leeds eye move for "phenomenal" £10m star

Leeds United should prioritise this phenomenal signing over attempting to bring back Kalvin Phillips to Elland Road.

2

By
Kelan Sarson

Jun 3, 2025

One of the biggest clubs in the Premier League wants to sign an Everton star this summer, according to an update from former scout Mick Brown.

Everton battling to keep hold of key men

While much focus is on the players the Blues could sign in the summer transfer window, there are certain key figures whose services must be retained ahead of next season.

Jarrad Branthwaite is one such example, with the England international likely to be the subject of plenty of interest from some big clubs, as he continues to impress in an Everton shirt. Manchester United are thought to be in the mix to sign him, for example.

There are also others who may simply move on with their deals up at the end of the season. Abdoulaye Doucoure has been linked with a summer exit after an impressive spell with the Blues, not least scoring that all-important goal against Bournemouth back in 2023.

The same applies to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who hasn’t always found playing time easy to come by this season, starting only 19 times in the Premier League. He is also out of contract at the end of the season.

Everton star Branthwaite wanted by Chelsea

Speaking to Football Insider, Brown claimed that Chelsea are interested in completing the signing of Everton centre-back Branthwaite this summer:

“There’s no doubt the manager wants to improve his defensive options. I’m told they’ve been looking at Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton. He would be a solid option for them, but I don’t think they’re completely convinced. If you’re looking at Branthwaite, how much better is he than what they’ve already got at Chelsea? Then, you have to consider that it would take big money to bring him in because Everton aren’t going to let him go easily.

“So if they’re spending that type of money, they want a player who would be a really significant upgrade on the likes of Colwill, and they’re not convinced he is. It’s something they’ll consider and then they’ll be the ones to make that decision. But as things stand I think they’re more likely to look elsewhere.”

The £35,000-a-week Branthwaite is arguably Everton’s most prized asset currently, so they must do all they can to retain his services.

The 22-year-old has once again been a rock at the heart of his side’s defence in 2024/25, making 30 appearances in the Premier League, averaging a whopping 6.3 clearances per game.

Branthwaite has received so much adoration in recent years after his rapid rise at Everton, with Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher heaping praise on him, saying:

“Branthwaite has been outstanding. I think this lad is pretty special. He’s a big part of why Everton in my eyes have a good chance of staying up, him and his partnership with [James] Tarkowski.”

Moyes has unearthed Everton's new Wayne Rooney in £15m star

Everton found their new superstar on an emotional day at Goodison Park.

By
Angus Sinclair

May 20, 2025

Everton should only entertain the idea of allowing Branthwaite to leave if a monstrous offer arrives from Chelsea or elsewhere – ideally, though, he will be with the Blues for many years to come, becoming a legend over time.

Since Mikel Arteta took charge of Arsenal in December 2019, he’s got more things right than wrong.

After all, the club were languishing in tenth place when he was handed the reigns, and he has turned them into perpetual challengers in the Premier League and now the Champions League.

Moreover, while he has made his fair share of dud signings – see wingers from the blue half of West London – he’s been key to securing some of the team’s current stars, like Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya.

However, when it comes to one player who was arguably allowed to leave too easily, many fans will point to Granit Xhaka, but if recent reports are to be believed, the club are now looking to sign someone with plenty of similarities to the Swiss international.

Arsenal transfer news

Before getting to the player in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other midfielders linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, like Martin Zubimendi and Morgan Rogers.

Transfer Focus

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

The former received the Fabrizio Romano ‘here we go’ treatment on Saturday morning, so he looks like he will be on his way to the Emirates in the summer, and given his vast experience with Real Sociedad and Spain, £51m feels like a fair deal. treatment on Saturday morning

On the other hand, Rogers remains a rumour at this stage, but with 14 goals and 14 assists to his name in 52 games this season, his reported £100m valuation doesn’t feel too absurd.

However, neither of these players could really be described as being similar to Xhaka, unlike Andrey Santos.

Yes, according to a recent report from France, Arsenal are now incredibly interested in signing the Chelsea ace, who’s currently on loan with Racing Club de Strasbourg.

The report claims that French giants Paris Saint-Germain are also keen to secure the Brazilian’s signature this summer but that the Gunners are ‘hard at work’ to bring him to the Emirates.

A price is not mentioned in the story, but according to a report from last month, the midfielder could be available for around £43m.

It could be a complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Santos’ ability and potential, it’s one Arsenal should be fighting for, especially as he shares some key similarities with Xhaka.

How Santos compares to Xhaka

So, before looking at some of the other reasons Arsenal might want to sign Santos this summer, what about his game makes him similar to how Xhaka was at his best in North London?

Well, the first thing is that, like the Swiss international, the Brazilian talent has the ability to play deeper as a six but is currently thriving as a more box-to-box midfielder who’s involved in everything from defence to attack.

For example, respected analyst Ben Mattinson claimed the Blues gem has “everything you want in a CM,” from “top tackling ability” to a real level of “composure in front of goal.”

We can see this in his underlying numbers, as according to FBref, the 21-year-old sits in the top 3% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals and tackles, showing that he really can do both parts of the role incredibly well, as the former Gunners’ ace did in his final campaign in England.

Furthermore, if underlying numbers aren’t your cup of tea, then he’s got the raw output to back up the praise he’s received for his attacking prowess as well.

In just 33 appearances for Les Bleu et Blanc, totalling 2934 minutes, the 5 foot 11 “duel monster,” as dubbed by Mattinson, has scored ten goals and provided five assists, coming out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.2 games, or every 195.6 minutes.

Ultimately, Santos would play second fiddle to Rice for a while, but given how incredibly well he has played in France this season, he would be the perfect backup.

Therefore, Arsenal should do all they can to sign him, as he might just be their next Xhaka.

He's a dream for Saka: Arsenal doing lots of work to sign £67m "monster"

The sensational striker would be a game-changer for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

May 13, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur were hammered 5-1 by Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday in a match that confirmed their opponents as the champions of the Premier League.

It was a one-sided contest for much of the evening, despite Dominic Solanke’s opening goal in the first half, as the Reds ran riot on Merseyside against a helpless Spurs defence.

Ange Postecoglou will surely be disappointed with the performances from his players on the pitch, as several stars underperformed, including Destiny Udogie.

Destiny Udogie's struggles against Liverpool

The Italy international was tasked with keeping Mohamed Salah quiet at left-back and, actually, did a decent job of it in the opening 45 minutes.

Although Salah played a part in the first goal with a pass in behind the Spurs defence, the Egypt international ended the first half with zero goals or assists.

Unfortunately, however, the Liverpool number 11 stepped his game up in the second half to create one ‘big chance’ and score a goal, as he cut inside of Udogie from the right flank before rifling an effort into the bottom corner.

Chalkboard

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

Salah also put the Spurs left-back under pressure and forced the defender to convert into his own net for the fifth goal, in what was a dreadful second-half for the Italian dud.

Udogie, however, was not the worst-performing full-back of the afternoon for Tottenham, as Djed Spence was even worse than the former Udinese star.

Why Postecoglou must drop Spence

The English right-back did not enjoy his best day in a Spurs shirt, with a dismal showing, and it started with his involvement, or lack thereof, in the first Liverpool goal.

Spence hesitated and tried to push up to play offside, but it was not an organised line, instead of following his man – Luis Diaz – into the box, and it was his match-up who scored the goal.

He found himself unaware of his man making a run off his back twice in the second half, once to allow Cody Gakpo in behind, but his cross evaded everyone, and the second time to allow Diogo Jota to fire in the cross that forced Udogie’s own goal.

Alongside those disappointing moments defensively, Spence’s use of the ball was also wasteful in comparison to Udogie’s throughout the 90 minutes.

As you can see in the table above, the Italian defender had the better performance out of the two defenders, with his play in and out of possession, even if you include his own goal, which Spence was partially responsible for.

The former Nottingham Forest full-back was weak in his physical battles, made poor decisions defensively, and gave the ball away far too often, losing possession a whopping 14 more times than Udogie. This provided Liverpool with even more opportunities to attack because he could not keep hold of the ball well enough.

Therefore, Postecoglou must consider ruthlessly dropping Spence to the bench in favour of Pedro Porro, who provided an assist against Forest last time out, for the Europa League clash with Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.

Fewer touches than Vicario: Ange must axe Spurs dud who was worse than Gray

Ange Postecoglou must drop the Tottenham Hotspur flop who was even worse than Archie Gray.

By
Dan Emery

Apr 27, 2025

Nottingham Forest have now joined the race for an “excellent” AC Milan player, who is set to leave the Italian club in the summer transfer window, according to a report.

Forest stepping up summer transfer plans

Forest should be well-positioned to bring in some top-quality players this summer, given that they have a very good chance of qualifying for the Champions League, and Nuno is keen to bolster his options in a number of different areas.

The goalscoring burden has largely been on Chris Wood this season, and the Tricky Trees are eager to bring in a new striker to provide competition for the New Zealander, with Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin among the targets.

There appears to be a heavy focus on strengthening in attacking areas, with Marseille winger Luis Henrique also of interest, alongside Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres, and there have been suggestions Jota Silva could be used as a makeweight in a deal for the Sweden international.

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Bringing in attacking reinforcements may be of key significance to Nuno, but the manager could also look to strengthen at the opposite end of the pitch, with a report from Italy revealing Nottingham Forest have now joined the race for AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw.

Thiaw will be allowed to leave Milan this summer, and the Serie A side are set to hold out for around €25m to €30m (£22m – £26m), amid widespread interest in his signature, with Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Arsenal also keen.

The asking price shouldn’t be a problem for any of the Premier League clubs, but Bayer Leverkusen’s interest could pose an issue, with the German club already making an approach for the 23-year-old.

"Excellent" Thiaw could be success at the City Ground

The German centre-back remained on the substitutes’ bench at the beginning of the campaign, but he has since gone on to establish himself as an important player for Milan, getting on the scoresheet in a 3-1 Champions League victory against Real Madrid.

That was not the first time the 6 foot 4 colossus put in an impressive performance in the Champions League, having previously received high praise from former AC Milan boss Arrigo Sacchi for a top display against Tottenham Hotspur in February 2023.

Sacchi said: “He played an excellent game. He often found himself in one-on-one situations and did not give up an inch to the opponent.”

It has not been the best of campaigns for Milan, with the Italian side sat ninth in the Serie A, but Thiaw’s exploits in Europe indicate he could be a fantastic signing for Forest, and a fee of £22m – £26m is very reasonable for a defender of his quality.

Many Liverpool fans will likely be hoping that Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak will be playing Premier League football in red next season, but it doesn’t look likely.

The Magpies are third in the standings with five games to play, two points ahead of sixth-place Aston Villa, who sit just outside the Champions League-qualifying zone.

Having beaten Arne Slot’s side in the Carabao Cup final and set to restore their place at Europe’s elite table, Newcastle hold all the cards, and they aren’t willing to sell, even listing Isak north of £150m.

FSG, quite rightly, won’t entertain such talk and are gearing up to turn their attention elsewhere.

After all, Liverpool will bring in a new number nine this summer, with Darwin Nunez all but confirmed to have entered the final weeks of his Merseyside career.

Liverpool set to sell Darwin Nunez

It’s been clear for several months, Liverpool having rejected winter approaches from Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League due to the importance of keeping the title-challenging squad together.

Fabrizio Romano has now updated the situation, claiming that Liverpool’s plan is to sell their club-record signing, Nunez having scored just seven goals across 42 matches for Slot’s Reds.

Nunez has only started once in the Premier League since Boxing Day, scoring in a win over bottom club Southampton last month.

Having missed 53 big chances in the Premier League since his 2022 arrival, Nunez hasn’t responded to Klopp and Slot’s tactics and can’t shake the erraticness from his final play, thus consigning him to a bittersweet exit, leaving disappointed but with a winner’s medal around his neck.

Isak may well be out of reach, but Liverpool are open to looking elsewhere. Now, news has emerged that FSG are in for a somewhat left-field forward.

Liverpool lining up Nunez replacement

As per Caught Offside, Liverpool are interested in signing Brentford’s star man, Bryan Mbeumo, this summer.

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In fact, the Champions Elect have received a boost in their pursuit, with Brentford – who are believed to be open to offers – willing to discuss Mbeumo’s sale for the right price this summer.

Mbeumo, 25, has been one of the Premier League’s standout forwards this season and is also being tracked by Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

The Cameroon international supposedly has a £50m price tag, something that has caused Newcastle United to pull out of the race.

Why Liverpool should sign Bryan Mbeumo

Mbeumo has proved over a number of years his capacity for goals and success in the Premier League, having been involved in 68 goals across 131 divisional outings.

This year alone, the versatile forward has netted 18 goals and laid on six assists across 32 top-flight appearances, a haul bettered only by Salah, Isak, Erling Haaland and Chris Wood.

Though he’s principally a right-sided forward, Mbeumo has been known to play as the focal frontman and has done so to a prolific effect.

We’ve seen throughout the campaign Slot’s willingness to reshape typical widemen – like Luis Diaz – into central attackers, and who’s to say it hasn’t worked out? Liverpool are on the cusp of the title, after all.

Affectionately described as a “mini-Salah” by talkSPORT’s Jason Cundy, Mbeumo carries the air of a goalscoring forward who brings much more to the table.

As per FBref, Mbeumo ranks among the top 8% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for goals scored and the top 12% for crosses made per 90.

This takes a step toward underscoring Mbeumo’s dynamism, chiefly a goalscorer but also willing to hang wide and whip crisp deliveries in.

The 32-year-old Salah might be staying put for the next couple of years, but he won’t be around forever. The Bees forward could eventually take the veteran’s berth in the years to come.

But for now, he’s more than capable of taking Nunez’s place as Liverpool’s centre-forward, perhaps sharing the berth with Diaz and Diogo Jota.

Given that Mbeumo has only missed eight big chances in the Premier League this term, having scored a whopping 18 times, fans won’t need to worry about Nunez-esque profligacy to hinder Liverpool in their efforts to retain their expected title.

But like all great forwards, those capable of starring for a top-performing outfit such as Slot’s Liverpool, Mbeumo isn’t a one-trick pony either.

He’s averaged 1.8 key passes per top-flight fixture and has created 16 big chances. He might take his share of set-pieces, but this denotes a ranged approach to his play that very much aligns with the role Salah performs with such matchless aplomb.

Analyst Ben Mattinson has recently dubbed Mbeumo as “one of the most deadly players in transition in the Prem,” further evidence – if you needed it – that he’s perfect for this Reds team.

Slot arrived in the Premier League with a reputation for being more ball-focused than his Anfield predecessor, but title-surging Liverpool only rank third in those standings with a 58% average.

This is, of course, not counter-attacking football, but Slot commands one of the deadliest teams in world football when on the break, making that final statement on the myriad reasons behind why this would be a good deal to end Nunez’s frustrating stay and sign the perfect Salah heir at the same time.

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