Chelsea are making moves for their desired summer transfer targets, with BlueCo reaching out to yet another player who’s keen to leave Bayern Munich.

Chelsea hold talks with Dean Huijsen and Jorrel Hato's agents this week

As per reliable Stamford Bridge journalist Simon Phillips, both Ajax starlet Jorrel Hato and Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen have been subject to approaches from Chelsea in the last few days.

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As per the reporter’s sources, writing via his Substack, Chelsea held talks with Hato and Huijsen’s representatives, just before their Europa Conference League loss to Legia Warsaw in west London, with Enzo Maresca on the hunt for new defenders this summer.

Trevoh Chalobah is likely to leave Chelsea again this summer, despite being recalled from his loan at Crystal Palace in January, while Wesley Fofana has been sidelined through yet another long-term injury.

Fulham (away)

April 20th

Everton (home)

April 26th

Liverpool (home)

May 4th

Newcastle (away)

May 10th

Man United (home)

May 18th

Ajax mainstay Hato is able to provide cover at both centre-half and left-back, so the Netherlands international is an astute option, while Huijsen’s £50 million release clause has piqued interest from Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea after his excellent campaign at Bournemouth (David Ornstein).

The competition for both men’s signatures will be fierce, though, so Maresca’s side will have earmarked a number of defensive targets ahead of the 2025/2026 season.

Chelsea must get this summer’s transfer window right, and Maresca also has a chance to bring players in early ahead of their Club World Cup campaign, following confirmation from the Premier League that there will be an additional transfer window open from June 1st to June 10th.

Up to £100 million in prize money will be on the line during this year’s CWC, so Chelsea will be keen to reinforce areas of the squad in time to compete.

Chelsea contact Kim min-Jae with defender keen to leave Bayern Munich

According to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, it is now believed £198,000-per-week Bayern defender Kim min-Jae is a target for Maresca’s side.

The South Korean, with nearly 70 international caps, is apparently “very open” to departing the Allianz Arena this summer, despite being trusted by Vincent Kompany as a consistent starter.

Chelsea have reached out to min-Jae’s camp for discussions, as per Aouna, but Eddie Howe’s Newcastle have done the same, as both sides look to reinforce their backlines.

The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to England for years, with Tottenham registering an interest in min-Jae during Antonio Conte’s tenure in charge.

Back in 2020, during José Mourinho’s time at Spurs, it was also reported that Son Heung-min was pushing the club to sign min-Jae – so he’s clearly highly-rated by his peers behind-the-scenes.

Four wins on the trot in the Premier League – the last of which came resoundingly against Manchester United – have put Newcastle United in a strong position as they look to return to the Champions League.

Winning at home against Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening would certainly help to consolidate their position, one point behind third-place Nottingham Forest while holding a game in hand.

The chance to make it count has arrived, but Oliver Glasner’s Palace have been in fine fettle of late and boast a box of dangers that Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones – Eddie Howe is absent, recuperating from pneumonia – will need to ensure do not spring a trap at St. James’ Park.

Newcastle – Recent Record vs Crystal Palace

Season

Competition

Result

24/25

Premier League (A)

0-0 draw

23/24

Premier League (A)

2-0 loss

23/24

Premier League (H)

4-0 win

22/23

Premier League (A)

0-0 draw

22/23

Carabao Cup (H)

0-0 (3-2 p.) win

Stats via Transfermarkt

Four of the past 14 meetings between the two sides in all competitions have been goalless draws, but with such impressive attacking armouries, you feel that this evening-lit fixture could bring the fireworks.

Newcastle team news pre-Crystal Palace

Centre-backs Jamal Lascelles and Sven Botman are still sidelined, with left-back Lewis Hall also not expected back before the end of the season.

Tindall is unlikely to make sweeping changes to the team that thrashed the Red Devils on Sunday, but one or two tweaks could be enforced.

Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali should reprise their places in midfield, arguably the finest central trio in the Premier League right now.

However, despite his recent purple patch, there might be just cause for Harvey Barnes to return to the bench for this one. Here’s why.

Why Tindall should drop Harvey Barnes

Barnes put on a second-half clinic to thwart Man United and take his haul, impressively, to eight goals and three assists from just ten Premier League starts this season.

With three in his past two, the 27-year-old is riding the crest of a wave, his clinical edge coming up trumps with Alexander Isak four top-flight games without a goal and Anthony Gordon only returning off the bench on Sunday after his red card suspension.

However, Gordon is now back and offers a more dynamic threat. Given the Eagles’ shakiness during their 5-2 thrashing by Man City at the weekend, Gordon’s multi-skilled approach could be the best way to funnel through to Isak while upholding a balanced attacking threat.

Player ratings courtesy of Sofascore

Jacob Murphy, on that note, is effectively undroppable on the right. So consistent. So cool. So collected.

With a return of nine goals and seven assists across all competitions this season, Gordon knows he could do better in that regard. But the England international brings so much more than direct goal involvements.

As per Sofascore, he’s averaged 1.9 key passes and won 4.7 duels per Premier League game this term, making good on the self-said proclamation that he’s a “nightmare for anyone” he plays against.

With this extra match wedged into Newcastle’s run-in, shuffling the pack would be a good way to keep things fresh and maintain form. Saturday evening, after all, brings an away trip to CL-chasing rivals Aston Villa.

Gordon has been an immense part of the Magpies’ rise, and while Palace’s Eagles are flying high themselves, adding Gordon to the starting line-up would be the perfect way to overwhelm a backline that has shown its chinks in recent games.

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An “unbelievable” forward “would be open” to signing for Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window, according to former scout Mick Brown.

Spurs' summer transfer plans taking shape

Son Heung-min has been one of the shining lights in a poor Tottenham side this season, picking up seven goals and 10 assists in the Premier League, but there are signs a long-term replacement for the 32-year-old could be brought in this summer.

Talks have been opened over a deal for Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane, with Spurs incredibly interested in signing the former Manchester City man, while they are also increasingly likely to make a move for AFC Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

Semenyo is not the only Premier League player on the shortlist, however, with a report from earlier this week revealing the Lilywhites are leading the race for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, who could be available for a fee of £60m this summer.

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There has now been a promising new update on Tottenham’s pursuit of Eze, with former scout Brown telling Football Insider he believes the winger would be interested in making a move across the capital this summer, despite Palace’s determination to keep hold of him.

Brown said: “They want to keep him and I don’t expect he’s the type of player to force through a move unless Palace’s asking price is met.

“Tottenham have been interested for a long time and he’s their type of player.

“If Eze has the opportunity to move to a team like Tottenham, I think he would be open to that, and it’s not slight on Palace and what they’ve done.

“So that move wouldn’t surprise me, but it will only be on Palace’s terms and they want to keep him.”

"Unbelievable" Eze could be fantastic signing for Tottenham

Tottenham’s summer transfer plans are likely to be heavily affected by whether Ange Postecoglou remains in his role as manager, but regardless of who is in charge, Eze could be a fantastic addition to the squad.

The Palace star has proven himself across a number of seasons in the Premier League, and he is enjoying another impressive season with the Eagles, having picked up six goals and 11 assists in all competitions.

Not only that, but the England international ranks highly across some key metrics for wingers over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

Statistic	Average per 90
Assists	0.34 (89th percentile)
Shot-creating actions	4.85 (81st percentile)
Successful take-ons	2.58 (88th percentile)

Having also been lauded as “unbelievable” by BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella earlier this season, there is every indication that Eze could be a fantastic signing for Tottenham this summer, so it is exciting news that he could be open to a move to north London.

While there is certainly more than one issue at Manchester United, much of the current problems can be centred around the long-standing woes of one key position – centre-forward.

Since arriving from Atalanta on a £64m deal back in 2023, Rasmus Hojlund has just scored 24 goals in 88 games in all competitions. Another Serie A import, Joshua Zirkzee, scored just seven times during his injury-curtailed debut campaign in Manchester.

Prior to Hojlund’s arrival, Erik ten Hag had been forced to rely on an injury-prone Anthony Martial for much of 2022/23, following Cristiano Ronaldo’s hasty exit, a fact that led to the shock, short-term signing of two-goal loanee, Wout Weghorst.

The January addition of the Dutchman marked the lowest ebb in United’s search for a stop-gap, short-term striker – following the days of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edinson Cavani and Odion Ighalo – while the desire for more long-term acquisitions, like Hojlund and Zirkzee, has also backfired.

Season

Player

Goals

2024/25*

Bruno Fernandes

8

2023/24

Bruno Fernandes & Rasmus Hojlund

10

2022/23

Marcus Rashford

17

2021/22

Cristiano Ronaldo

18

2020/21

Bruno Fernandes

18

2019/20

Marcus Rashford & Anthony Martial

17

2018/19

Paul Pogba

13

2017/18

Romelu Lukaku

16

2016/17

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

17

2015/16

Anthony Martial

11

2014/15

Wayne Rooney

12

2013/14

Wayne Rooney

17

2012/13

Robin van Persie

26

That latter pursuit has sparked speculation surrounding the capture of Ipswich Town’s 22-year-old talisman, Liam Delap, although Ruben Amorim’s side need a proven, ready-made goal machine to arrive through the door this summer.

The latest on Man Utd's striker search

Alongside the desire to bring in a new number ten, in the form of Matheus Cunha, the latest reports indicate that the Red Devils are also ramping up their pursuit of Delap, with the Englishman available for £30m this summer, amid Ipswich’s imminent return to the Championship.

The former Manchester City academy graduate has enjoyed a fine season regardless of the club’s collective woes, after scoring 12 Premier League goals, although such a move would still represent a risk, considering he scored just eight times for Hull City in the Championship last term.

With that in mind, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is among those seemingly under consideration as a potential upgrade, while The Mirror have only recently reported that Amorim and co are keen on a deal for Napoli’s Victor Osmihen.

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According to the report, the Old Trafford outfit are ‘pushing’ to strike a ‘cut-price’ deal for the Nigerian sensation, with Amorim said to have made the on-loan Galatasaray man his ‘top striker target’.

The belief is that United are keen to strike a bargain £40m deal with the Serie A side, capitalising on the fact that the 26-year-old is set to enter the final year of his current contract back in Naples.

Amorim is said to ‘favour’ a move for Osimhen, ahead of Delap, and it’s easy to see why…

Why Osimhen could be the best signing since Bruno Fernandes

It has been made clear that INEOS are keen on pursuing a youth-centric approach to transfer dealings, a fact showcased with the recent signings of Patrick Dorgu (20) and Ayden Heaven (18), during the January transfer window.

That desire to plan for the future is all well and good, but United are crying out for figures who can instantly hit the ground running in Manchester. No longer can Amorim and co afford to play the waiting game.

Going down the route of signing the likes of Hojlund simply hasn’t worked, with the Old Trafford hierarchy needing to snap up players entering their peak years – much like with the capture of Bruno Fernandes in January 2020.

From his Man of the Match performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers on debut, the Portuguese playmaker has looked every bit a Manchester United player. Fast forward just over five years, and the now-30-year-old boasts 96 goals and 85 games in all competitions for the club.

It could be argued that bringing in Osimhen would represent a signing of similar ilk, with the former Lille man having ripped it up wherever he has been, as evidenced by his career tally of 144 goals in 258 club games.

Previously the driving force behind Napoli’s Scudetto success in 2022/23 – in which he scored 26 league goals – the towering striker is currently thriving out in Turkey, having only recently powered to 30 goals for the season across all fronts.

Lauded as the “best striker on the market” by Statman Dave, Osimhen looks like a centre-forward at the peak of his powers – much like Fernandes represented in his final full season at Sporting CP.

Games (starts)

24 (22)

33 (33)

Goals

21

20

Goal frequency

89mins

147mins

Big chances missed

21

7

Big chances created

10

9

Assists

4

13

Key passes*

1.1

3.2

Pass accuracy*

67%

75%

Successful dribbles*

0.6

0.9

Possession lost*

7.7

22.8

While yet to sample Premier League action, Osimhen has proven himself in France, Belgium, Italy and now Turkey, with it unlikely that he’ll find the jump too great a challenge next term.

In the case of Hojlund, United can hardly be too surprised by his current woes, considering he scored just ten goals for Atalanta prior to moving to Manchester. The promising Dane is a player of potential, but in Osimhen, Amorim could find the real deal.

Indeed, with club legend Gary Neville stating that Fernandes is the only signing of the last decade who has “done more than I thought he would”, perhaps the Napoli outcast could be the best addition since the Portugal star’s arrival.

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ByRobbie Walls Apr 22, 2025

The last few years have been nothing short of a roller coaster for Ipswich Town.

Kieran McKenna has led the team from mid-table in League One all the way up to the Premier League for the first time in two decades.

However, while it’s been a fairy-tale rise for much of that time, this season has been something of a brutal reminder of just how tough the top-flight can be.

That said, while it’s looking like the Tractor Boys will be back in the Championship next season, they have the players to bounce right back up, including one who might be a future England star, who is their version of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Ipswich's future England stars

So, before we get to the star who could well be the next Trent, it’s worth looking at a couple of Ipswich players who have a chance of breaking into the England squad in the future, starting with Omari Hutchinson.

Now, we will admit that this does feel like something of a longshot at this point, but there are a couple of reasons why the former Chelsea ace could one day find himself with the Three Lions on his chest.

The first is that, despite still being just 21 years old, he has established himself as an important member of a Premier League side and, on top of being able to play in a few positions, has racked up a reasonable tally of 22 goal involvements in 78 appearances for the Tractor Boys.

Furthermore, he is already a part of England’s U21 side, starting the last game against Portugal and already amassing a haul of four goal involvements in four games.

Now, the Blues star who seems destined to break into the senior side sooner rather than later is Liam Delap, who is also a part of the U21 side and now has a tally of five goal involvements in 12 games for them.

Moreover, and more importantly, he’s one of the most exciting strikers in the Premier League and, despite playing for a bottom-three side, has scored 12 goals and provided two assists in 30 games in the competition this year.

However, Delap is not the only Ipswich star who seems like he will get a cap at some point, as there is another first-teamer who’s been with the club since the League One days who could be their own Trent.

Ipswich's own Trent

While there are a few decent defenders in McKenna’s squad this season, like Dara O’Shea and Axel Tuanzebe, when it comes down to which is most like Trent, there is only one answer: Leif Davis.

Now, we are not saying that the “unbelievable” 25-year-old, as dubbed by journalist Harvey Davies, is as good as the Liverpool star, as that would be somewhat absurd.

However, we are saying there are similarities between the two defenders and that the former Leeds United gem is exceptionally talented.

The most important similarity between the pair is how often they bomb forward and how effectively they get the ball into dangerous areas for their teammates.

For example, in his 118 appearances since moving to Portman Road, the Blues gem, whom writer Harvey Davies claims has “got better every year”, has scored six goals and provided 38 assists in 119 appearances, which works out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.70 games.

Appearances

119

349

Goals

6

22

Assists

38

87

Goal Involvements per Match

0.37

0.31

For his efforts, the Liverpool-born international has scored 22 goals and provided 87 assists in 349 appearances, which works out to an average of a goal involvement every 3.20 games.

Ultimately, not only is Davis more than good enough to help Ipswich get back to the Premier League at the first time of asking next season, but he’s also good enough to make it into an England squad one day, and could well be the left-sided Trent in the future.

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Newcastle United are expected to table an offer for an exciting attacking player this summer, with a £39m bid from another club having already been rejected.

Newcastle preparing for Man Utd clash

The Magpies are back in Premier League action this weekend after their comfortable 3-0 win away to Leicester City on Monday, hosting Manchester United at St James’ Park.

For Newcastle, it is another important game in their quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League, and with their opponents having one eye on the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final clash with Lyon next week, Eddie Howe’s side will be the favourites to prevail.

Jason Tindall is excepted to take charge of the Magpies, with Howe unwell and spending the weekend in hospital.

There are injury problems going into the Man Utd game, which is far from ideal, with a late call set to be made on Anthony Gordon and his chances of starting. However, Alexander Isak is “expected to be fit”, as reported by Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

Newcastle set to make offer for £39m ace

According to an update from Vamos Mi Sevilla FC (via Sport Witness), Newcastle are set to make an offer for Sevilla winger Dodi Lukebakio, seeing him as a strong summer target.

The likes of Juventus and Napoli are also credited with interest in the 27-year-old, while Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr saw a €45m (£39m) approach turned down by the player in January.

Newcastle’s chances of signing Lukebakio have seemingly been improved by Sevilla’s apparent stance, with reports claiming that the La Liga side are keen to boost their finances and that a high fee could be accepted.

Lukebakio could be an astute purchase by Newcastle in the summer transfer window, with the Belgian becoming an influential performer for Sevilla.

This season, he has scored 11 goals in 30 starts in La Liga, showing that he can provide reliable end product in his right-sided role as Newcastle look to find a replacement for Miguel Almiron, as well as an upgrade on Jacob Murphy.

While Murphy has enjoyed an impressive campaign for the Magpies, not least through registering 16 goal contributions in the Premier League, he is now 30 years of age and may not hit this level again moving forward.

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In Lukebakio, Newcastle have a strong option to bring in and provide competition for the Englishman, with the Sevilla ace a 25-cap Belgium international, which is no mean feat.

A “no-nonsense” manager now has a “50-50” chance of becoming Rangers’ next permanent manager this summer, according to a fresh claim from Derek Ferguson.

Updates on Rangers manager search

The Gers continue to look at their managerial options heading into the summer, with Barry Ferguson in interim charge until the end of the season.

The former Rangers captain has done a solid job in charge at Ibrox, but he has now been knocked out of the Europa League and there is little else to play for in the coming weeks, with questions fairly posed over his experience at the highest level.

Meanwhile, legendary manager Jose Mourinho is thought to be keen on the idea of taking charge of the Gers, but only if he is backed by 49ers Enterprises in the transfer market. He hasn’t yet been approached, though.

For now, it looks like Steven Gerrard is the front-runner to come in, having guided Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title back in 2020/21, but it’s fair to say that no concrete decisions have been made by those high up at Ibrox yet.

Ferguson has "50-50" chance of being permanent boss

Speaking to Ibrox News, 57 year-old Derek Ferguson claimed that his younger brother has a “50-50” chance of being given the Rangers job on a permanent basis.

“The club have probably been waiting to see how this European campaign pans out really, but they have to be taking him into consideration. He’s come in and been no-nonsense, plus he’s spoken really well. He’s brought in two other guys, [Billy] Dodds and [Neill] McCann, who know the Scottish game inside out, so you can look at him and his staff and say together it ticks a lot of boxes.

“For Barry, it’s about managing the players, which I think he’s done. The fans have enjoyed seeing his passion and that gives the players energy. “They have to take him seriously, but at the end of the day, it’s probably 50-50.”

Opinion may be split over whether Ferguson should be given the Rangers job on a full-time basis or not, with some supporters perhaps allowing their hearts to rule their heads.

The 47-year-old deserves big credit for adding more of a togetherness at the club after replacing Philippe Clement, especially guiding the Gers past Mourinho’s Fenerbahce after a penalty shootout triumph in the last 16 of the Europa League, but he is still an unproven manager overall.

For that reason, Rangers would be wise to look at a boss who has won major trophies in his career, with Mourinho the obvious standout in that respect, winning two Champions Leagues and several league titles.

While Gerrard has had ups and downs in his managerial career, he is also a more polished option than Ferguson, and could feel that he has unfinished business at Ibrox.

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Ferguson is understandably a popular figure among the Gers fanbase, but the club need to make a sensible long-term appointment, bringing in someone who can narrow the gap on Celtic and lead the team forward for years to come.

Arsenal beat Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, so the champagne remained corked in Liverpool’s internal quarters, with the Reds squad convened to celebrate if their closest rivals tripped up.

But they didn’t, and now Anfield has the chance to erupt into a frenzy when Liverpool host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon, with three points enough to seal Arne Slot the Premier League title in his first season at the helm.

Having only swallowed two defeats in the top flight this season, Liverpool will be deserving, dominant winners. Much has been made of the purportedly low quality pervading across the division this year, but this is nonsense, with the Reds in need of 11 points from 15 remaining to cross the 90-point threshold.

Liverpool have been great, but now they must begin preparations for the 2025/26 campaign, defending their expected title while challenging across tournamental fronts too.

With Darwin Nunez set to leave, a centre-forward will be needed. However, Liverpool also need defenders, with Dean Huijsen identified as the perfect player to reinforce a title-bound rearguard.

Liverpool's interest in Dean Huijsen

Huijsen joined Bournemouth last summer in a deal which could reach £15m, leaving Juventus after graduating from the Serie A giants’ academy.

The centre-half has been immense, one of the standout players in Andoni Iraola’s high-flying team, sitting eighth in the Premier League, which will secure a European spot next year if Crystal Palace fail to win the FA Cup.

With a £50m release clause, the 20-year-old Huijsen is “the most in-demand centre-back in the world” right now, according to analyst Ben Mattinson.

Liverpool are very much in the mix for the defender, as per Fabrizio Romano, with sporting director Richard Hughes looking to secure his signature and add to Slot’s rich backline.

However, it does seem that Chelsea lead the race at this current stage.

If Stamford Bridge adds the Spain international to their mix, Liverpool will endure, turn their attention to another central defender.

Huijsen, indeed, isn’t the only defender from the Vitality on FSG’s mind.

Liverpool leading race for PL sensation

As per GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool do have the lead in the race for another Bournemouth talent, with FSG preparing to intensify efforts to sign left-back Milos Kerkez.

In with a shout for a place in the Premier League Team of the Season after a stellar year, Kerkez, 21, would be available for around £40m this summer, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City all interested too.

However, Liverpool’s groundwork and the Hungarian’s friendship with Dominik Szoboszlai could hold sway in negotiations.

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Liverpool would love both Cherries defenders, but getting the Kerkez deal over the line will prove the more important piece to shift toward Merseyside.

Why Liverpool should prioritise Kerkez

Kerkez has started every Premier League fixture for Bournemouth this season, with performances leading talent scout Antonio Mango to describe him as “one of the best young full-backs in football.”

Born in Serbia, Kerkez brings a fascinating blend of athleticism and power, capable of driving upfield and making things happen in the final third while adding security and width to the backline during defensive phases, with his ball-playing ability also allowing his side to calmly play their way out of danger.

Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher has even hailed him as a “revelation for Bournemouth,” so important for one of the division’s most exciting, attack-tailored outfits.

It’s clear that he’s got what it takes to star for Liverpool, potentially even swiping Andy Robertson’s usual place in Slot’s starting line-up from the get-go.

Matches (starts)

33 (33)

30 (26)

Goals

2

0

Assists

5

0

Touches*

59.1

63.9

Pass completion

80%

89%

Big chances created

6

6

Key passes*

0.9

1.3

Succ. dribbles

0.6 (56%)

0.2 (41%)

Ball recoveries*

4.5

3.0

Tackles + interceptions*

2.7

2.0

Clearances*

2.8

1.3

Ground duels (won)*

3.4 (60%

1.7 (53%)

Liverpool may covet Huijsen, but Robertson’s declining output and solidity in defence suggest that Kerkez would be the more vital piece to add to the machine. The Bournemouth man is more active, mobile and confident in the duel, albeit not so crisp in possession, though this is in large part down to the players’ respective assigned roles.

Not only this, but Kerkez also ranks among the top 18% of full-backs in the Premier League this season, as per FBref, for assists, the top 11% for successful crosses and the top 13% for both progressive carries and touches in the attacking penalty area per 90.

He’s got a natural potency, one which has deserted Robertson after so many years of service on Merseyside. This new spark of creativity could prove to be so important for a Liverpool side braced for the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold at the end of his contract, with Real Madrid confident they will secure his signature.

No doubt, FSG would love to sign both Kerkez and Huijsen this summer, but Kerkez’s signature carries with it the more pressing urgency for those of a Liverpool persuasion.

If Liverpool have the means, which in this case some might consider a synonymical word for ‘ambition’, then they will move to sign both of Bournemouth’s left-sided defenders this summer.

It would be a statement of intent, all right, and one which might leave a lasting imprint on Slot’s legacy at Anfield. However, given the need for balance and impetus down the left flank, Kerkez should be the priority.

He's more creative than Trent: Liverpool make £87m "superstar" a top target

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ByAngus Sinclair Apr 23, 2025

Will Brandan Rodgers’ Celtic secure a sixth treble in just nine seasons this month?

On Saturday, the Hoops secured a fourth successive Scottish Premiership title, winning 5-0, with both Nicolas Kühn and Adam Idah bagging braces.

Victory over Aberdeen at the end of the month will rubber stamp yet another treble, with the Bhoys having now equalled Rangers’ record of 55 top division titles.

However, that victory at Tannadice did come at a cost, so should Rodgers replace Jota with Celtic’s “absolutely brilliant” youngster?

The latest on Jota injury at Celtic

Jota played a key role in Celtic’s opener on Saturday, ultimately going down as a Ryan Strain own goal, however, just five minutes later, the Portuguese winger was hobbling off, and that could be the last we see of him for a while.

A report by the Scottish Sun claims Jota will be sidelined ‘for several months’, potentially even missing the start of next season, having been spotted on crutches and in a knee brace at the title celebrations.

Rodgers is yet to officially reveal any prognosis, stating “he just felt his knee… we’re looking at whether his meniscus is a little bit sore… we’ll see in the next couple of days.”

This would obviously be a blow, although Celtic have found scoring goals no great difficulty this season, as the table below outlines.

2024/25*

148

2.86

102

12

2023/24

115

2.3

95

4

2022/23

147

2.77

114

7

2021/22

137

2.28

92

4

2020/21

100

1.96

78

4

2019/20**

147

2.67

89

8

2018/19

121

1.92

77

5

2017/18

126

2.07

73

5

2016/17

150

2.54

106

9

Just two more goals this season, which you’d have to be confident that Celtic will score, would make this their highest-scoring campaign since Rodgers’ first year in charge, already their best in terms of goals-per-game of the 21st century.

So, with the Premiership title already wrapped up, now is surely the time for Rodgers to experiment, thereby giving his “absolutely brilliant” youngster an opportunity?

Celtic's next young sensation

Johnny Kenny joined Celtic from Sligo Rovers back in January 2022 but, to date, has made just five appearances for the club, totalling 66 minutes, still yet to start.

However, he has gained plenty of first-team experience out on loan, as the table below outlines.

Celtic

5

66

0

0

Shamrock Rovers

7

4,230

26

8

Queen’s Park

12

305

0

0

Sligo Rovers

34

2,053

12

2

Kenny spent the last two calendar years on loan back in the League of Ireland with Shamrock Rovers, scoring 26 times for the Hoops, 20 of which came during a very productive 2024, notably bagging five in six Conference League outings, helping the Irish side reach the knockout phase.

He was named the club’s young player of the year twice, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout described his form for the Dublin-based outfit as “superb”.

Following Shamrock Rovers’ win over Borac Banja Luka in December, Kenny confirmed he would return to Celtic, hoping to “show Brendan in training” what he is capable of.

After making his debut against Ross County a month later, Rodgers described him as “absolutely brilliant”, although the 21-year-old has barely been seen since, an unused substitute on nine occasions.

Thus, with the Premiership title secured and Jota sidelined, what better time for Rodgers to find out whether or not Kenny could be a useful asset to his team?

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Aston Villa may not win a trophy this season, but the club remain in the hunt for a Champions League spot next term.

Unai Emery is looking ahead to the summer transfer window, however, as he aims to bolster his squad.

Sverre Nypan has been earmarked as a long-term target for the Midlands side, and it looks as though they have won the race for his signature.

The wonderkid could become the next best thing and Villa have acted swiftly. Might they be moving ahead to sign another talented teenager?

Aston Villa pressing ahead to sign French sensation

Reports in France claim that Villa are closing in on a deal to sign 18-year-old Kenny Quetant this summer, with Foot Mercato outlining that talks have been held regarding a deal for the teenager.

The youngster has yet to make a senior appearance for Le Havre, but there is no doubting how high his ceiling is.

Wrapping up a move early for Quetant could allow Emery to perhaps focus on other targets during the first few weeks of the transfer window.

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If a move does go through in the coming days, Emery might just have his next Jhon Duran.

Kenny Quetant can be Villa’s next Duran

Duran did have some experience at senior level before moving to Villa, playing 72 matches in spells with Chicago Fire and Envigado, although like Quetant, he was something of an unknown quantity upon his arrival for Villa Park.

17 goals and seven assists were deemed solid, if unspectacular, but there was something about the young Colombian. He had a spark. That was enough for Emery and co to fork out £18m for the then-19-year-old in January 2023.

Jhon Duran’s Villa stats in 2024/25

Metric

Premier League

Champions League

Goals

7

3

Assists

0

0

Goal conversion percentage

23%

21%

Goal frequency (minutes)

89

79

Shots per game

1.6

2

Via Sofascore

Mainly used as an impact player at Villa, Duran’s eye for goal gave Emery a unique weapon from the bench and this is something Quetant could offer, especially during his first season at the club.

Last term, the teenager scored 11 goals for Le Harve’s U19 side, showing plenty of promise. It is a matter of when and not if he makes his senior club debut. The future of the club in attack looks promising, especially considering Emery is in talks with both Nypan and Quetant.

The Norwegian talent was superb for Rosenborg in the top flight last season. Eight goals and seven assists were recorded, while the 18-year-old also created seven big chances and averaged 1.4 key passes per game for his club.

Throughout the 2025 campaign, Nypan ranks in the top 6% for touches in the opposition box, along with ranking in the top 6% for total shots in the Norwegian top flight.

These forward-thinking abilities could make him an excellent player for Villa and one who would shine while operating just behind Quetant. Of course, the club won’t see the best of both players until they become fully integrated into the team.

Once they do begin to play on a regular basis, Villa could have two starlets who are ready to take the Premier League by storm one day, just like Duran did ever so briefly.

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