Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell has backed Liverpool to complete a surprising swap deal involving Sadio Mane and Serge Gnabry this summer.
The Lowdown: Both players out of contract next year
The 30-year-old is approaching the final 12 months of his current contract at Anfield, and according to Sky Germany, Bayern Munich are interested in signing the Reds forward during the upcoming transfer window.
Gnabry’s deal with the German giants at the Allianz is also set to expire at the end of next season, and following reports that he is considering a Bundesliga exit amid interest from potential suitors around Europe, this has created the possibility of an exchange between clubs, if both players do indeed leave their current teams.
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The Latest: Swap deal on the table?
When asked during an interview with Football Insider whether or not there could be any good value in a swap deal for the Merseyside outfit, Campbell said it would be a ‘great signing’.
“That could be worth pursuing.
“Gnabry is going to be a sought-after player this summer. I know there is a lot of clubs who like him.
“He is a player who will be hotly pursued because he is still relatively young. We are talking about a Germany international who can play on either side, score goals, is quick and direct.
“He would be a great signing for Liverpool. There will be a lot of competition for Gnabry though. I think Arsenal would like to speak to him if there is an opportunity.”
The Verdict: Would be a shock to lose Mane
There’s no doubt that Gnabry would be a great signing for any team considering how much of a threat he can pose in the final third, having already found the back of the net 17 times and registered ten assists across all competitions for Bayern so far this season, as per Transfermarkt.
However, despite not getting any younger, Mane would be a huge loss to Jurgen Klopp, as he has been part of the furniture in the Reds’ starting XI since joining in a £34m move from Southampton back in 2016.
During his time at Anfield, the Senegalese superstar has made a staggering 267 club appearances and has recorded 167 goal contributions, and even though the likes of Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota have now provided serious competition for places upfront, Mane still has a hugely integral role to play in leading the line for Liverpool for at least a few more years to come.
In other news… an exciting Reds youngster looks set to leave the club this summer.
Leeds United are falling behind in the race to land Boubacar Kamara in the summer transfer window.
What’s the word?
That’s according to a report by the Daily Mail, who claim that Aston Villa have now entered into negotiations with the Olympique de Marseille defensive midfielder concerning a switch to Villa Park on a free transfer at the end of the current campaign – with this news likely to come as a blow to Victor Orta and the Whites, who were linked with a move for the 22-year-old back in January.
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The report goes on to state that Steven Gerrard’s side are also interested in the possibility of signing the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Geoffrey Kondogbia, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yves Bissouma and Leeds’ own Kalvin Phillips this summer.
Dream Phillips replacement
Considering the sheer amount of potential it is clear Kamara possesses, in addition to the fact that Phillips has been heavily linked with a move away from Elland Road this summer, the argument that Orta must sanction a swoop for the former France U21 international at the end of the season is an easy one to make.
Indeed, over his 32 Ligue 1 appearances this term, the £22.5m-rated midfielder has been in sensational form for Jorge Sampaoli’s side, scoring one goal and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 2.1 tackles, 63.5 passes and winning 4.9 duels – at a success rate of 58% – per game.
These returns have seen the £46k-per-week talent who Rolando dubbed a “phenomenon” average an extremely impressive SofaScore match rating of 7.14, ranking him as OM’s second-best player in the French top flight.
In comparison, over Phillips’ 17 Premier League fixtures this season, the £60m valued midfielder has registered one assist and created one big chance, in addition to making an average of 1.1 interceptions, 2.7 tackles, 38.1 passes and winning 4.6 duels – at a success rate of 45% – per game.
These returns have seen the £38k-per-week England international average a SofaScore match rating of 6.82, ranking him as Jesse Marsch’s ninth-best performer in the English top flight.
As such, while it is undeniable that injury has hampered Phillips’ campaign severely this season, after looking at the respective midfielder’s stats, it is clear to see that Kamara would be something of a dream replacement for the potentially outbound 26-year-old, leading us at Football FanCast to believe that Orta must do everything in his power to beat Aston Villa to the signing of the Frenchman on a free this summer.
AND in other news: Leeds now plotting bid for “fabulous” £45k-p/w target, Orta should “take him all day”
Wolves are reportedly interested in making a move for Rangers winger Ryan Kent this summer as Bruno Lage looks to strengthen his squad.
The Lowdown: Kent shines for Rangers
The 25-year-old has been one of the Gers’ star players in recent years, providing endless quality from what is invariably a left-sided attacking role.
Kent has scored 30 goals and registered 47 assists in 171 appearances for the Scottish Premiership giants, once being hailed as a ‘constant threat’ by Steven Gerrard.
It may be that the former Liverpool winger feels that a new challenge is required this summer, and a return to England could be on the cards.
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The Latest: Wolves eye up move
According to 90min, Wolves have expressed an interest in snapping up Kent in the summer transfer window, with his current deal expiring in 2023.
Leeds United are seen as the front-runners to sign him, though, with Everton and Fulham also mentioned in the report.
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The Verdict: Is he good enough?
While Kent has clearly shone in Scotland, the one concern over Wolves signing him is whether or not the step up to the Premier League is too great for him.
He probably wouldn’t come in as a regular starter if he joined the Old Gold, with Pedro Neto arguably a higher calibre of player, but he could be a strong squad option off the substitutes’ bench.
Kent’s direct running and end product could be a nightmare for tiring legs in games and it is this depth that Wolves need if they are to go up another gear this season. Signing him would therefore be shrewd business, as long as Wanderers don’t pay over the odds.
In other news, Wolves are the front-runners to sign one player this summer. Find out who it is here.
Manchester United are reportedly interested in bringing Ajax striker Sebastien Haller to Old Trafford this summer.
What’s the word?
That is according to reports by the Daily Mail, who claimed that the former West Ham striker could be given another crack at the Premier League under his current Ajax boss Erik Ten Hag.
A report from The Sun stated that the Ivorian would be available for around £35m if Ten Hag opts to bring Haller to Old Trafford with him.
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Berbatov 2.0
Haller was dubbed a flop after his spell at West Ham was not as prosperous as he would have liked, although he still scored goals in his first season in a team which did not play to his strengths.
His move to Ajax in 2021 shocked some, with many perhaps believing that he did not possess the calibre to play for such a prestigious club.
Ten Hag knew exactly what he was doing, though. He was bringing in an accomplished poacher who had bagged 16 for fellow Eredivise club Utrecht across 98 appearances in three seasons.
Ten Hag placed him up top and has not looked back since, with the 27-year-old putting in some outstanding performances for Ajax over the past season-and-a-half.
Haller – who has been dubbed a “hero” by journalist Yaw Ampofo Jr on Twitter – has netted 152 goals in his career, with third-highest scorer in the competition for 2021/22 just behind Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema.
His 20 goals and seven assists in 27 games this season would suggest that he could be United’s new Dimitar Berbatov-type figure.
Playing in an Ajax side which has averaged 67.3% possession this season, the Ivorian has proven that he is comfortable with the ball, averaging around seven touches per game in the opponents penalty area and completing a successful dribble percentage of 60%. The latter percentage places him in and around the elite category compared to positionally similar players in the top 5 leagues, according to FBRef.
His ball control is not quite as prestigious as what Berbatov offered in his heyday, but not many have matched the Bulgarian’s touch.
What will delight fans, and what represents a difference between Berbatov and Haller, is the Ivorian’s work rate in the attacking third.
Operating in a high-pressing Ajax side, it was always a given that the latter would be expected to press from the front, and he has established himself as one of the best in the world at doing just that. Haller averages around 17 pressures per 90, with ten of these pressures coming in the attacking third.
The former West Ham flop has rejuvinated his career at Ajax and proven himself to be a creative and well-rounded goal machine.
It is no wonder that Ten Hag is reportedly interested in signing what could be United’s new Berbatov-esque presence in attack.
In other news – Fewer touches than De Gea: Man Utd flop with just 12 passes must never play again
It was another anonymous outing for £30m club-record signing Daniel James as Leeds United were thrashed by Premier League leaders Manchester City at Elland Road on Saturday evening.
The Yorkshire giants weren’t expected to pick up any sort of result against Pep Guardiola’s men but the 4-0 defeat only adds to their relegation worries with the side now sitting in the final safety spot, five points clear of Everton, who face Chelsea later today.
It could go down to the wire and Jesse Marsch will need his top stars to step up and be counted, especially those that have cost the club a hefty amount, such as the Wales international.
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Initially named on the bench for this encounter, the 24-year-old winger was called upon just before halftime as he replaced the injured Stuart Dallas.
The American head coach clearly felt as if the former Manchester United man could swing the game in their favour somewhat, having only been one-nil down at the break.
However, the rampant visitors came out all guns blazing in the second half and it left James something of a ghost-like figure throughout the 45 or so minutes he was on the pitch.
As per SofaScore, he registered only 13 touches of the ball – one every 3.5 minutes. That was even fewer than goalkeeper Illan Meslier (35), who managed to see the ball once every 2.5 minutes at least.
Even fellow substitute Joe Gelhardt managed more touches (14) in only 28 minutes and he was left playing a lone striker’s role, a rather damning indictment on James’ impact or lack of.
With such little involvement, the struggling Welsh dynamo was only able to muster up four accurate passes from seven attempts (57%), whilst he did miss one big chance with his only shot on target.
On that evidence, the £45m-rated star badly failed Marsch in his attempts to try and salvage something for the Yorkshire side up against the defending champions.
He’s now failed to score since early February with only two assists across his last ten appearances in the Whites’ strip.
It’s got to be massively concerning for the Leeds boss at this point.
AND in other news, 78% duels lost: Leeds’ “woeful” £55k-p/w liability drops another disasterclass vs City…
Despite a few poor results, this season is starting to shape up nicely for Chelsea.
Enzo Maresca’s side are currently second in the Premier League and have the chance to cut the gap to Arsenal to just three points when they play them on Sunday.
However, for the West Londoners to have any chance of beating the high-flying Gunners, they’ll need to have their shooting boots on, and Liam Delap will have to show why the club signed him in the summer.
However, Chelsea might already be having second thoughts about the Englishman, as reports are linking them to another exciting young striker, someone with shades of Didier Drogba in their game.
Chelsea target Delap upgrade
Given Chelsea’s propensity to spend big in the transfer window, it’s not been much of a surprise to see reports already linking them with a host of talented players ahead of the January window.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
For example, Athletic Bilbao’s incredibly exciting Nico Williams has been touted for a £62m move to Stamford Bridge, and Nottingham Forest’s Murillo has also been heavily linked.
However, as talented as these two internationals are, neither can be compared to Drogba, nor would they be a threat to Delap’s place in the team, unlike Robinio Vaz.
Yes, according to a recent report from Caught Offside, Chelsea are one of a few teams interested in the exciting French talent.
In fact, the report has revealed that the Blues have already established contact with Marseille over a possible move that could cost as much as €30m, about £26m.
However, sides like Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Napoli are also said to be interested in the youngster.
It could therefore be a costly and complicated transfer to get over the line, but given Vaz’s ability and potential, it’s one Chelsea should fight for, especially as he could be an upgrade on Delap and has shades of Drogba in his game.
How Vaz compares to Delap and Drogba
Okay, so before looking at how Vaz compares to Delap, let’s examine the shades of Drogba in his game and this potential move.
The first and most significant would be that, so long as this transfer happens, the youngster would be following in the legendary striker’s footsteps, who moved from Marseille to Chelsea in 2004.
Another trait he appears to share with the iconic centre-forward is that he’s more than a goalscorer.
While he certainly can put the ball in the back of the net, the teenage sensation is also someone who can create chances for his teammates through, in the words of respected analyst Ben Mattinson, an ability to “hold up the ball.”
With all that said, how does his output stack up to that of Delap’s this season?
Appearances
14
7
Minutes
331′
294′
Goals
4
0
Assists
2
0
Goal Involvements per Match
0.42
N/A
Minutes per Goal Involvement
55.16′
N/A
Well, despite still being just 18 years old, the “lethal” number nine, as one analyst dubbed him, has scored four goals and provided two assists in 14 appearances, totalling just 331 minutes this season.
That comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.33 games, or far more crucially, one every 55.16 minutes.
In contrast, the West Londoners’ summer signing has failed to score a single goal or provide a single assist in seven appearances across all competitions, totalling 294 minutes.
Granted, he has been out injured, but the Englishman has almost played as many minutes as the youngster and arguably for a far better team.
UltimatelyUltimately, it’s still early in his career, but as one analyst puts it, Vaz looks like he’s “going straight to the top,” and therefore Chelsea should sign him, even if it’s bad news for Delap.
Bad news for Garnacho: Chelsea submit bid to sign £62m "level-raiser"
The game-changing forward could be brilliant for Chelsea but bad news for Garnacho.
Rangers have made some high-profile signings over the years, with the likes of Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup going on to becoming Ibrox legends after heading to Glasgow.
Mikel Arteta, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Ronald de Boer were just some other big names who decided to move to Scotland, but there could have been a lot more if the Gers got their way.
Rangers' top 15 goalscorers of all time
Rangers have had plenty of natural goalscorers at Ibrox over the last 150 years.
ByRoss Kilvington Dec 26, 2024
From Lionel Messi to Ronaldo, Rangers nearly signed some legends of the game.
10 star players Rangers almost signed 10 Lionel Messi
Argentina's LionelMessilooks on
Shortly before Lionel Messi made his Barcelona debut, Rangers and manager at the time Alex McLeish were alerted to the Argentine talent.
McLeish’s son, Jon, found Messi on Football Manager, with the Gers trying but failing to sign him on loan back in 2003.
9 Andres Iniesta
At the same time Rangers were trying to sign Messi, they also almost brought midfield maestro Andres Iniesta to Ibrox.
The Spaniard was a teenager at the time and nearly headed to Scotland on loan for regular game time as Rangers looked for their Barry Ferguson replacement. Unfortunately, Iniesta would get his chance in the Barca first-team shortly after and wouldn’t look back.
8 Ronaldo
Ronaldo- Real Madrid andBrazil
Brazilian striker Ronaldo is arguably the biggest what if case when it comes to near transfer misses for Rangers.
The forward was wanted by the Gers, Lazio and Inter Milan in 1997 when he was still a Barcelona player. Ronaldo even had an offer from Rangers and former owner David Murray, but headed to Inter Milan instead.
7 Alan Shearer
Before becoming a goalscoring machine for Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United, Alan Shearer was a Southampton player.
The Premier League’s all-time record scorer caught the eye of Rangers boss Walter Smith in the early 1990s, however, those at Ibrox couldn’t persuade Shearer to head to Scotland.
6 Dennis Bergkamp
Smith certainly had an eye for a future attacking star, as, along with Shearer, also wanted to bring Dennis Bergkamp to Rangers in the 1990s.
Bergkamp was an Inter Milan player at the time, and after Rangers failed to put a proposal together, the skilful Dutch forward signed for Arsenal in a £7.5m deal and would go on to become a Gunners legend.
Games
422
Goals
120
Assists
116
Trophies
10
5 Samuel Eto'o
Samuel Eto'o celebrating for Barcelona.
After struggling to break through into Real Madrid’s first team from their academy, Samuel Eto’o found a home with Mallorca, securing a permanent move to the Spanish side in 2000.
The Cameroon striker would star for his new side and was wanted by McLeish in 2002. Rangers missed out on Eto’o, who, two years later, would sign for Barcelona, where he won three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies.
4 Jaap Stam
It wasn’t just attacking stars who nearly signed for Rangers, with central defender Jaap Stam targeted by Dick Advocaat after he took over as Ibrox manager in 1998.
Stam was a PSV Eindhoven regular under Advocaat, but he couldn’t bring the towering centre-back with him to Scotland, with Sir Alex Ferguson and Man Utd winning the race.
3 Robin van Persie
A Rangers move for Robin van Persie was extremely close in 2003, with a deal even agreed with Feyenoord for the Dutch forward to move to Ibrox for just £3m.
Van Persie was persuaded to head to Ibrox by Advocaat, however, Rangers failed to raise the funds and the striker would sign for Arsenal a year later.
2 Emmanuel Petit
Rangers found themselves in a bidding war with Arsenal for Emmanuel Petit back in 1997, and if it wasn’t for the Gunners, the French midfielder could have easily been a major signing for the Gers.
Former owner Murray once lifted the lid on how close Rangers were to bringing Petit to Ibrox.
1 Luka Modric
Rangers could have signed Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric in the early stages of his career for just £3.5m, however, those at Ibrox didn’t have the funds.
Former Rangers assistant Ally McCoist was actually sent to watch Dinamo Zagreb right-back Vedran Corluka but was stunned at what he saw from Modric and urged the club to get a deal done.
Liverpool enjoyed a barnstorming summer transfer window, with an estimated £415m outlay marking the most ambitious and expensive spending spree in European football history.
Rarely had Liverpool shown even a measure of the willingness to fork out such sums across a condensed period, but the careful construction of a superpower under Jurgen Klopp’s wing hit new heights last year in Arne Slot’s system, winning the Premier League and earning a windfall from finishing first in the Champions League group phase.
Twice the Reds have broken the British transfer record this year, first signing Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen before winning the interminable battle with Newcastle United for their free-scoring forward Alexander Isak.
But it didn’t all go the Anfield side’s way, having missed out on top defensive target Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day, with the Three Lions star’s announcement earlier in the day thought to be a formality.
Liverpool's miss out on Guehi
Guehi remains at Crystal Palace. The 25-year-old centre-half, who has entered the final year of his contract, had come within a whisker to making a career-changing move to Slot’s Liverpool, but lost out after his club failed to sign a fitting replacement and Oliver Glasner reportedly threatened to walk if his sale was green-lit.
However, Guehi’s arrival was never going to be the be-all and end-all for the Merseysiders, who had already welcomed Giovanni Leoni to their ranks from Parma in Italy for a £26m fee plus add-ons.
The Italy international is only 18, but he has already showcased prodigious potential and is considered to be one of the most talented young defenders in the world.
Liverpool also resisted interest in Joe Gomez last month, and thus have a range of options at the rearguard, with skipper Virgil van Dijk still performing at the top of his game despite turning 34 in July.
In short, there’s not much to worry about, even if Guehi is one of the best on English shores.
Palace might of reneged on their initial agreement with Liverpool due to internal strife, but the league champions have options aplenty to get them through the campaign, with Van Dijk not the only one who might consider himself an upgrade on the England international.
Liverpool already have a Guehi upgrade
Guehi has the makings of a top-class defender, but perhaps he’s not quite there yet. The one-time Chelsea prospect has captained Palace to FA Cup and Community Shield titles in 2025, but it’s perhaps fair to say that he hasn’t yet lived up to the heights of Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate.
Crystal Palace'sMarcGuehilooks dejected.
Konate, 26, hasn’t enjoyed the best of starts to the season, caught out in both of Liverpool’s opening Premier League fixtures, but the Frenchman is typically immense beside Van Dijk, hailed by analyst Josh Williams as a “monster at covering ground and dealing with one vs one situations.”
Across his four seasons at Liverpool, Konate has grown stronger and stronger, both on the field and from a fitness slant, with his title-winning performances last season bearing a likeness to Guehi’s own efforts across the year. It’s clear, then, why Liverpool want to land a player who is comparable to their athletic defender.
Goals scored
0.09
0.04
Assists
0.06
0.07
Touches
62.70
76.82
Pass completion
83.5%
90.2%
Progressive passes
3.94
4.04
Progressive carries
0.65
0.88
Goal-creating actions
0.15
0.25
Tackles
1.79
1.41
Interceptions
0.82
0.60
Clearances
4.80
4.68
Blocks
1.62
1.02
Aerial duels won
2.00
2.60
Like Guehi, Konate is staring at the end of his contract, and despite lengthy efforts to reach a breakthrough, Liverpool have as yet failed to convince the £70k-per-week defender to extend.
However, reports from recent months have suggested that there has been something of a narrative shift, with reporter DaveOCKOP revealing that talks are ongoing underneath the ominous backdrop of Real Madrid’s persisting interest.
And class, as they say, is permanent, with Konate putting in a phenomenal shift against Liverpool’s title rivals, completing all 44 of his passes and standing strong against the waves of Gunner offensives.
Liverpool may feel that they have an exciting prospect in Leoni – and indeed, they are probably right in viewing him as a potential superstar – but Konate has been chiselled into one of the best in the business, and his track record suggests Guehi wouldn’t have so easily displaced him if a deal was done on deadline day.
All this is to say that while supporters might be understandably frustrated by the failed effort to sign Guehi, there is little, if any, cause for panic.
Konate is at the top of his game right now, and if Liverpool do find a breakthrough in negotiations to extend his stay on Merseyside, the tough-tackling giant might just find himself reaching new levels, especially when the time comes for Van Dijk to bow out.
Sofascore’s data even reveals that Konate won a whopping 71% of his aerial duels in the top flight last term, whereas Guehi, much shorter at just 6 feet tall, came out on top just 54% of the time for the Eagles.
After all, it’s hardly a coincidence that Konate won his first Premier League title the same year he sorted his fitness levels out, starting 30 times in the Premier League.
25/26 – 3 (3)
–
1
24/25 – 31 (30)
3
11
23/24 – 22 (17)
–
5
22/23 – 18 (17)
–
7
21/22 – 11 (11)
–
4
Liverpool will still need to sign a centre-back at some stage in the not-too-distant future, and Guehi may well remain at the top of the shopping list as he approaches free agency.
Not Ngumoha: Liverpool's exciting 17-year-old could become the next Isak
Liverpool have refined every level of their squad this summer, from youth to senior standard.
Newcastle United sealed their place in next season’s Champions League after finishing fifth in the Premier League, widening the scope of Eddie Howe’s plans.
As per The Athletic’s David Ornstein, star striker Alexander Isak is now expected to remain at St. James’ Park next year, while recent reports have suggested the Magpies are now ready to make an audacious double swoop for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and FA Cup winner Marc Guehi, titan at Crystal Palace.
Brentford's BryanMbeumoreacts
However, the work won’t stop there. Newcastle, indeed, are looking to strengthen between the sticks.
Newcastle ready bid for rising star
As per The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, Newcastle are preparing to make their first formal offer to Burnley for shot-stopper James Trafford, who is valued at over £20m.
A flurry of interest is expected in the 22-year-old keeper, with Chelsea and Manchester United both keen on the Championship superstar.
James Trafford for Burnley.
However, Newcastle are looking to get a deal done nice and swiftly, with Nick Pope mooted to be in line for an exit.
Why Newcastle want James Trafford
Pope has been a stalwart servant for Newcastle, joining from Burnley in a £10m deal back in June 2022. Now, the Toon can repeat the trick by bringing Trafford into the mix.
However, it’s not Pope who the England U21 international would be emulating in making the move to Tyneside; rather, Trafford could become Howe’s next version of Anthony Gordon.
Before we look at exactly why, let’s take a quick look at Trafford’s meteoric rise.
Leaving Manchester City’s youth academy for Turf Moor in 2023 after several successful loan spells in League One, some felt the £19m transfer fee was a little excessive.
England'sJamesTraffordduring the warm up before the match
He’s since been an instrumental part of Burnley’s success, the focal point of a watertight defence which kept 30 clean sheets across the Championship season.
Trafford only missed one match, and enjoyed 29 shutouts, saving two penalties and incredibly conceding just 16 goals.
Bolton
74
33
Burnley
73
31
Man City U21
13
6
Acc. Stanley
11
2
Man City U18
10
6
Truly, he’s been crucial in helping the Clarets secure promotion back to the Premier League, also receiving praise from his manager Scott Parker, for being a “world-class goalkeeper.”
With a cheeky personality and an acrobatic athleticism to back up his swagger, Trafford will no doubt have his sights set on becoming a Three Lions mainstay, emulating Gordon.
England international Gordon, indeed, made the right move in leaving Everton for £45m in January 2023, crowned Newcastle’s Player of the Year in his first full season after notching 28 goal involvements from 48 matches.
The duo played together for the U21s, with Gordon even remarking, “I’d trust him to save anything” after one wondrous display against Spain in the final of the U21 European Championship, en route to a 1-0 victory.
Like Gordon, Trafford also came through the academy of one of the Premier League’s goliaths, though he failed to make a senior appearance at Manchester City.
Although saying that, the 24-year-old Gordon was actually a member of Liverpool’s youth fold before leaving aged 11 and finding a new home over on the blue half of Merseyside.
While Newcastle’s star winger didn’t set the world alight at Goodison Park, scoring just seven times across 78 matches as a Toffee, he showcased a hunger and skill that could be shaped and developed under Howe’s wing, and indeed has.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Now, Trafford must take the leap and follow suit.
He'd be incredible with Isak: Newcastle prepare bid for "deadly" £60m star
Newcastle are looking to make some impactful signings in the transfer market this summer.
As Tottenham prepare to take on Manchester United in Bilbao in a Europa League final that will save one side’s season from disaster, we sat down with former Spurs midfielder and top flight manager Gus Poyet to chat about the two men in the dugouts.
Pressure mounting on Postecoglou
No doubt aware of the importance of the showdown in Spain not just for Tottenham but for his own future, Postecoglou has been in no mood to joke around with reporters in the build-up to the final.
Asked about a comment by Ruben Amorim that the Red Devils couldn’t possibly lose to the Lilywhites a fourth time this season, the former Celtic boss responded: “I’m sure in there, there’s some Portuguese humour. There’s a little irony there. I’m sure Ruben doesn’t think that way. We’ve had some good games against United this year and last year, and we have come out on top, but it’s the final of a major tournament.
“I think the one thing you don’t look at is previous head-to-head comparisons. They become irrelevant, it’s all about who performs on the day.”
There have indeed been widespread reports that the 59 year-old will be sacked if Spurs do not end their wait for a trophy next week, and speaking to Football FanCast in partnership with BetBrain, former White Hart Lane midfielder Poyet insisted the game is bigger for Ange than for his Portuguese counterpart: “I would think Ange (has more pressure), because of his words a few months ago when he said ‘I always win a trophy in my second season.’
“When you commit like that, it’s a big commitment because it’s not easy, especially at Tottenham. Now, the opportunity is massive, so it will be amazing if he wins it.”
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1 ByEmilio Galantini May 14, 2025 Amorim regretting "dream" Man Utd move
However, with United also toiling domestically, sitting just one point ahead of Tottenham with an abysmal goal difference of -11, the Uruguyan revealed there may be some regrets seeping in for the former Sporting CP boss: “I think for Amorim, it (winning the final) would be a plus to have an OK season. Maybe personally for him it would be important.
“But for the club, Man United, we all dream of managing one of those big clubs, but when you see what is happening he’s probably thinking ‘What did I do?’, and that’s a really bad feeling.”
Matches
25
Wins
6
Draws
6
Losses
13
Points
24
Goals for
30
Goals against
41
Indeed, the 40 year-old’s top flight form has been nothing short of embarassing – by his own admission – having gathered just 0.96 points per game since arriving in November of last year, which would return just over 36 points in a full campaign. Since the switch to a 20-team competition in 1995/1996, the average points needed for Premier League survival has been 37.86, meaning the Red Devils are well and truly in relegation form since Erik Ten Hag was replaced.