Tag Futebol

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.

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.

ByAngus Sinclair Sep 4, 2025

There is an opportunity for both teams to use this series as a kind of laboratory ahead of the Champions Trophy

Alagappan Muthu08-Feb-2025

Virat Kohli hit the nets ahead of the second ODI•Associated Press

Big picture: Kohli fit againCricketers. They’re just like us, from having for lunch to cueing up Netflix with dinner. This deeply normal kind of life may be beckoning a first-choice Indian team member as they continue on their Champions Trophy fact-finding mission.Shreyas Iyer usually plays entertainer, and he did this on Thursday night, his strokeplay containing everything but a backwards step even against extreme pace. He’s got his IPL coach, Ricky Ponting, sitting bolt upright in his seat saying things like “If Shreyas is out in the middle, then he’s as good as anyone” on the ICC review. India can’t keep him on and bring Virat Kohli in and explore the possibilities that Yashasvi Jaiswal presents them as a left-handed, top-order basher. Someone will have to switch to being the one that gets entertained.Related

Virat Kohli fit to play second ODI against England

India's left-arm orthodox spin twins give them a good headache to have

Despite their loss in Nagpur, England will be pleased with the work of Jacob Bethell, the 21-year-old displaying the kind of level-headedness that could prove invaluable over the coming weeks. Another ICC trophy comes up for grabs starting February 19 and although the pressure there will be significantly higher, this bilateral series, with the quality of players involved, should be able to replicate some of it.Performances like Bethell’s, or Shubman Gill’s in the No. 3 role, or Axar Patel’s as a disruptor at No. 5, are important beyond the context of winning and losing, because they offer exactly what all teams want going into a world event – options, a way to stand out, a way to surprise.Form guideIndia WLLTW (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
England LLWLLIn the spotlight: Harry Brook and Virat KohliNinety-one runs in six innings on tour is not the performance England wanted from a player in whom they have made a serious investment. Harry Brook plays all formats for them. He’s captained them. And when on song, he absolutely smashes it for them, but once again he has been unable to find a repeatable and consistent method of handling high-quality spin on pitches that are slower than he is used to. Fifty-over cricket offers batters a little more time and Brook could leverage that to get himself back in form.Harry Brook has struggled against spin on this tour•BCCI

The last time Kohli batted for India, he left the field in a fury, mistaking his thigh for a punching bag. It is unlikely that he thinks he is in decline. At least not to the extent that things can’t be turned around. His fans know things absolutely can turn around, and the switch in format could be just the break he needs to get the good times rolling again. India are weighing upsides. Iyer is already in form, and they know what he can do. If his making way means they get to arm an all-time great with game time and simultaneously find out if Jaiswal can be an asset in ODIs too, that’s probably a win.Team news: A chance to experimentThis trophy doesn’t matter as much as the next one these two teams will be playing for so there is an opportunity to see this series as a kind of laboratory to know what works and what doesn’t. India picked Arshdeep Singh over Mohammed Siraj in their Champions Trophy squad and maybe they’re thinking of bringing him into the XI too. Wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to give Rishabh Pant some match practice either.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Shubman Gill, 4 Virat Kohli, 5 KL Rahul/Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Harshit Rana/Arshdeep Singh, 11 Mohammed Shami.England rested Mark Wood from the first ODI. His pace has always been a point of difference and so there is always a temptation to stick him into a starting XI.England: 1 Ben Duckett, 2 Phil Salt (wk), 3 Joe Root, 4 Harry Brook, 5 Jos Buttler (capt), 6 Liam Livingstone, 7 Jacob Bethell, 8 Brydon Carse, 9 Jofra Archer, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 Mark Wood/Saqib Mahmood.Pitch and conditions: A reprise of the 2017 thriller?Cuttack hasn’t hosted any ODIs in half a decade but when it last did, it presented itself as a batting paradise. India and England have already experienced these highs when they put up totals of 381 and 366 in 2017. The game is unlikely to come under any threat from the weather with clear skies expected; there might be dew though, given the temperature drops from 30C at 5pm to 23C at 9pm.Stats and trivia: In the last 20 years, England have beaten India in India only five times in 31 ODIs. Cuttack offers more or less equal help to pace (137 wickets at an average of 40.86 and economy rate of 5) and spin (88 wickets at an average of 36 and economy rate of 4.74). Gill has found incredible consistency in ODI cricket. He’s been good enough to score a fifty roughly once every 2.4 innings. Jos Butter is such a regular, and rapid, run-scorer in this format that he’s part of a pretty exclusive club: 5000 runs and a strike rate of 100-plus.

كشفت صحيفة سبورت المقربة من نادي برشلونة اليوم الأحد، عن حقيقة رحيل روبرت ليفاندوفسكي عن صفوف البلوجرانا عقب نهاية هذا الموسم.

ليفاندوفسكي ينتهي عقده مع برشلونة بنهاية الموسم الجاري ولم يتم التوصل إلى اتفاق حتى الآن حول توقيع عقد جديد، حيث يخوض الدولي البولندي موسمه الرابع مع البارسا.

وقدم ليفاندوفسكي مستويات متميزة مع برشلونة خلال السنوات الماضية، ولعب ابن الـ37 عامًا دورًا كبيرًا في حصول الفريق الكتالوني الموسم الماضي على ثلاثية الدوري الإسباني وكأس السوبر الإسباني وكأس ملك إسبانيا.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ديفيد فيا: جوارديولا جعلني أختار برشلونة.. وسخرية مورينيو أعجبتني

وذكرت الصحفية، أن الاتجاه الأقرب لإدارة برشلونة هو عدم تجديد عقد ليفانكوفسكي وترك مهاجم بايرن ميونخ السابق يغادر في صفقة انتقال حر.

وأضافت أن برشلونة يدرس وبشكل جدي إمكانية تجديد عقد ليفاندوفسكي عقب نهاية هذا الموسم، ومن ثم بيعه بمقابل مادي إلى أحد الأندية السعودية، لكن اللاعب يفضل الانتقال إلى نادي أوروبي بالفعل.

وأوضح تاأن ليفاندوفسكي يفكر كذلك في اعتزال كرة القدم بشكل نهائي، أو تجديد عقده مع برشلونة لمدة عامين حيث تضغط عائلة اللاعب وبالأخص زوجته لكي يبقى في إقليم كتالونيا.

Sunderland have been busy tying Regis Le Bris down to an extended contract on Wearside.

This summer has seen the Black Cats bring in countless new bodies ahead of their Premier League adventure kicking off, but the top-flight newcomers have still found time to ensure the Frenchman sticks it out at the Stadium of Light for the foreseeable, with his improved deal now in play until 2028.

Of course, football is a fickle sport, so it will be intriguing to see if Sunderland extends this same faith to the ex-Lorient manager when times are potentially tough in the brutal division, with more fresh signings no doubt being worked on before August’s opening clash with West Ham United.

Sunderland express interest in £20m-rated talent

The newly promoted side continues to be linked with a whole plethora of exciting names this summer.

Indeed, recent rumours have even suggested that RB Leipzig goal machine Lois Openda is on their shortlist as they attempt to enhance their forward options, alongside interest also popping up in Granit Xhaka’s ex-Bayer Leverkusen teammate Amine Adli to add more quality down the flanks.

They aren’t the only faces Le Bris and Co. are keeping tabs on from the Bundesliga, however, as a new report by Sky Sports Germany indicates that the Black Cats are interested in the possibility of signing Borussia Dortmund star Julian Ryerson before the transfer window closes.

It is stated that Ryerson is comfortable sticking it out with the Black and Yellow, but he might be swayed by the prospect of the Premier League, with the report stating that this is a dream destination for the Nordic right-back.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have also thrown their hat into the ring over Ryerson’s services, with both clubs now having enquired about the potential of bringing the 27-year-old to English shores.

Sunderland winning the £20m-rated defender’s signature – as per his Football Transfers valuation – could see them land an even more entertaining right-back option than Trai Hume, as Le Bris attempts to boost his side all over the pitch, away from hanging onto EFL favourites.

Why Ryerson can be even better than Hume

The Northern Irishman has long been a favourite among the Stadium of Light masses, even before Le Bris’ transformative entry onto the scene.

Indeed, Hume is now up to a mammoth 132 appearances plying his trade on Wearside, with his blistering, high-energy efforts playing a key role in promotion being clinched last season, as the 23-year-old picked up three goals and six assists in league action, on top of tallying up a bumper 17 clean sheets.

Yet, the worry will be how Hume navigates the anxious jump up from the Championship to the Premier League, having only ever played football in his native Northern Ireland, before joining Sunderland’s upward journey in League One back in 2021.

This is where Ryerson could be crucial in helping Sunderland to bridge this almighty gap, having just finished a standout season for Nico Kovac’s men in the unrelenting environment of the Bundesliga.

Games played

29

Goals scored

2

Assists

3

Touches*

61.2

Accurate passes*

36.1 (89%)

Key passes*

1.3

Big chances created

8

Ball recoveries*

4.1

Total duels won*

4.0

Ryerson stood out as an expansive, Hume-like figure for Dortmund last season in the gruelling terrain of the German top-flight, with the 27-year-old creating a promising eight big chances in total from his 29 outings for Kovac and Co, while also showing off his defensive grit when averaging four duels won per league clash.

Therefore, picking up Ryerson for around his £20m valuation might be deemed a worthwhile investment to make, with the Scandinavian also boasting 23 Champions League appearances for Jobe Bellingham’s new employers.

Further, Ryerson can offer even more versatility to the Sunderland cause than his ex-Linfield counterpart, having even lined up as a centre-back seven times across his varied career to date, away from also being a capable performer further forward as an out-and-out winger.

That flexibility has been noted by Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl, who said upon Ryerson’s arrival at the club: “Julian Ryerson is an intelligent and aggressive defender, in a good way. He can play on either side of the back four and in a back three.”

Transfer Focus

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

Le Bris clearly won’t ditch Hume completely, but snapping up the Dortmund number 26 would gift the Black Cats some much-needed quality and experience, so as not to be swallowed whole by the Premier League.

Sunderland could land Le Bris his own Isak by signing “terrifying” £51m ace

Regis Le Bris could secure himself his very own Alexander Isak if Sunderland snap up this £51m star.

ByKelan Sarson Aug 5, 2025

There are nerves in the air at Leeds United at the moment as the brand new Premier League season gets closer and closer by the day.

The newly promoted Whites have been very active in the transfer window so far, as seen in seven fresh faces joining Daniel Farke’s ranks this summer to date, but the German is still hesitant about his side’s top-flight acumen heading into the anxious opening run of matches.

In particular, the German is concerned about the options he has at his disposal up top, with both Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford out of his first-team plans.

Whilst adding in more depth up top looks to be crucial, Leeds wouldn’t say no to additions elsewhere, as a fresh midfielder is now also eyed up.

Leeds pushing for move for £100k p/w star

Before exploring further as to who Leeds could add to the midfield department, it’s clear that the Whites want more Premier League-capable striker options, and fast.

Beto, who Leeds were linked with earlier in the transfer window, has reportedly come back onto their shopping list as he weighs up moving away from Everton, with the Whites’ interest in Fulham ace Rodrigo Muniz also long-standing.

Away from the plethora of names filtering through in the centre-forward areas, Leeds have also been credited with interest in free agent midfielder Josh Brownhill, as per a new report by GIVEMESPORT.

The report further reveals that Everton is also trying to push through a deal for the ex-Clarets captain, but a tricky stumbling block has emerged for both parties.

The hurdle both sides will have to try and overcome is the spending power of MLS side Toronto FC, who are willing to offer the Manchester-born star a £100k-per-week deal to leave England behind for Canada.

It remains to be seen what Brownhill’s short-term future looks like, but if he does decide to relocate from Lancashire to Elland Road, over pastures new in Canada, he could be just what Leeds need in terms of an attacking outlet centrally, away from the more defensively sound members of the squad from the middle of the park.

Why Brownhill's addition could be perfect for Stach

Indeed, out of all the midfielders at Farke’s disposal, new £17.4m recruit Anton Stach is the most content with just sitting back and doing his defensive dirty work.

So much so, Stach can even line up as a centre-back if needed – as seen in his 16 career appearances from this part of the pitch – alongside the fact that the Whites number 18 singled out his “aggressive” nature as one key attribute to his game when speaking just after his move to Leeds had been confirmed.

Games played

30

42

Goals scored

1

18

Assists

2

6

Touches*

66.8

52.1

Shots*

1.2

1.6

Accurate passes*

41.9 (83%)

31.8 (82%)

Key passes*

0.9

1.2

Tackles*

2.2

1.5

Ball recoveries*

5.7

2.8

Total duels won*

5.6

3.4

The German’s aggressive approach on the pitch is certainly more evident when looking at the table above, with Stach greatly trumping Brownhill when it comes to tackles made, ball recoveries made, and total duels won per match last season in their respective leagues.

Having such a lively, fierce anchor in the side means Brownhill will be able to focus even more on his explosive attacking game at Elland Road, with the 29-year-old’s stunning output of 18 goals and six assists last season for Burnley clinching automatic promotion out of the Championship, alongside Farke’s title-winners.

With six goals and six assists already next to his name in the Premier League, too, both Brownhill and Stach could be components of a new-look midfield that just work alongside each other, as the EFL “superstar” – as he was once dubbed by former manager Lee Johnson – attempts to become a top-flight regular wearing Leeds white.

Of course, the £100k-per-week salary at Toronto might prove to be too tempting to turn down.

But, with steady teammates such as Stach next to him, Brownhill could shine as a gung-ho midfield presence up a division, as Leeds attempt to make survival less of a chore with entertaining displays.

Aston Villa in pole position to sign £35m Brazilian ahead of Man City and Leeds

The Villans desperately need to get moving this summer.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Aug 2, 2025

Since taking the job over five years ago, Mikel Arteta has helped to transform Arsenal.

He’s taken the club from one languishing in mid-table looking downwards to one that’s a genuine contender in every competition they take part in.

However, he has had to make numerous unpopular and difficult decisions during his tenure, such as terminating Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract in 2022.

It was the right thing to do, but it’s impossible to deny that the team could have used someone as prolific as he once was over the last few years, which could explain reports linking them to a certain attacker from the continent.

Arsenal target free-scoring forward

As things stand, this summer is shaping up to be quite exciting for Arsenal.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

The club have already announced the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke.

Moreover, Spanish centre-back Cristhian Mosquera is set to be announced any day now, and Andrea Berta and Co seem to be finally nearing the end of their hunt for Viktor Gyokeres.

And yet, the Premier League runners-up don’t appear to be done yet, as they’re now looking at another prolific attacker from Europe, someone who could be Arteta’s new Aubameyang.

Yes, according to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Arsenal are one of several teams interested in Ademola Lookman.

The report has revealed that the Gunners have enquired about the player, who is also a target for Inter Milan.

While the competition could be a problem, the money involved is unlikely to be, with the report revealing that Atalanta want just £43m for their star attacker.

It’s still a sizable sum of money, but given Lookman’s ability and record, one worth paying, especially as he could be Arsenal’s new Auba.

Why Lookman could be Arteta's new Auba

While it might seem like an odd comparison to make, there are several similarities between Lookman and Aubameyang that make it easier to see how the former could be Arsenal’s new version of the latter.

The first couple, and certainly the most surface-level, are that the Nigerian international would be joining the Gunners from a team in one of Europe’s top five leagues and doing so at a similar point in his career.

When the Gabonese put pen to paper in North London, he was 28 years old, and in just over two months, the Atalanta ace will be as well.

The next similarity, which is more concrete, is that, like the former North Londoner, the 27-year-old star is more than capable of playing out wide or straight down the middle.

Likewise, during his time at the Emirates, the Laval-born goal machine spent a great deal of time playing off the left, as well as up top.

Finally, and this is the most critical comparison of them all, the London-born ace has become an output monster in recent seasons, just as the former captain was for most of his time in N5.

For example, across his 118 games for the Bergamo outfit, totalling 7538 minutes, the “world-class” attacker has scored 52 goals and provided 25 assists.

Lookman’s recent form

Season

22/23

23/24

24/25

Appearances

33

45

40

Minutes

1858′

2809′

2871′

Goals

15

17

20

Assists

8

10

7

Goal Involvements per Match

0.69

0.60

0.67

Minutes per Goal Involvement

80.78′

104.03′

106.33

All Stats via Transfermarkt

That means the 29-capped international has averaged a goal involvement every 1.53 games or every 97.89 minutes since joining the Serie A side.

For comparison’s sake, the former Arsenal star scored 92 goals and provided 21 assists in 163 appearances, totalling 12868 minutes during his time in red and white, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.44 games, or every 113.87 minutes.

Ultimately, they may not be exactly alike, but there are some undeniable similarities between Lookman and Aubameyang, and most crucially, the Nigerian superstar could have a similar impact at Arsenal that the Gabonese ace once had.

Related He's a dream for Xavi Simons: Arsenal expect to sign £55m star "soon"

Arsenal could seal a dream partnership by signing Xavi Simons and this centre-forward.

Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 21, 2025

The already chaotic summer transfer window has certainly livened up in the past couple of days involving the newly promoted Premier League sides. Sunderland and Leeds United seem to be regularly locking horns over who to buy, with the Black Cats winning many of the battles so far, as seen in Regis Le Bris’ men pipping the Whites to the signature of £30m midfielder Habib Diarra.

On top of that, they are now raining on the Elland Road parade further by nearing a deal to land Noah Sadiki, who was also on Leeds’ radar.

Still, there’s plenty of time for Leeds to iron out deals away from finding themselves somewhat in Sunderland’s shadow, as a whole host of standout names continue to be linked to West Yorkshire.

Leeds' latest transfer business

The panic button won’t be pressed just yet, considering Leeds are already three signings down as they go about building a Premier League-ready team.

But, there are priority positions that are in need of reinforcements still, with Gustavo Hamer notably continuing to be linked to Elland Road to gift Daniel Farke and Co. more numbers down the left wing, and in the troubled number ten position.

On top of that, a brand-new goalkeeper to replace a shaky Illan Meslier is also a must, with a fantastic target now coming to the surface.

As per Leeds Live, the Whites are still monitoring the situation of Brazilian shot-stopper Lucas Perri, and are said to be ‘exploring’ a move, with the likes of AS Monaco also noted as an interested party in the Lyon goalkeeper.

Lyon’s dire financial situation remains up in the air, with Leeds potentially capitalising on their woes to land the 27-year-old for a cut-price deal, but no bid or even talks have occurred just yet.

Why Perri would be a better signing than Sadiki

This could well be seen as a better buy long-term for Leeds than their failed pursuit of Sadiki, with Perri at the top of his game last season in Ligue 1, meaning the Whites could be handed a top-flight-ready ‘keeper very soon, over having to persist with Meslier.

Of course, winning the services of the Congolese international would have been an ideal scenario as Leeds attempt to bolster all over the pitch.

Indeed, Sadiki – when glancing at his career-wide numbers – can slot into various spots on the pitch if needed, with the 20-year-old starlet having played in defence on 12 occasions, while also excelling as a central midfield option.

Yet, at £17.75m – which is the agreed fee Sunderland have reportedly signed off on – it is a risky move, with the up-and-coming Union Saint-Gilloise prospect having to get up to speed with the demands of the Premier League fast.

Further, with Ao Tanaka, Ilia Gruev, and Ethan Ampadu already at Farke’s disposal centrally, a pricey addition here might not be seen as the most pressing capture to make.

Whereas, for a reported £13m, snapping up Perri’s signature should be viewed as a no-brainer to try and get over the line, with the South American ‘keeper even featuring in the Europa League last season for Paolo Fonseca’s men.

Perri’s league numbers (24/25) vs Meslier’s (24/25)
Stat	Perri	Meslier
Games played	33	39
Goals conceded	44	29
Saves	116	65
Goals prevented	+6.05	-2.35
Clean sheets	10	21
Stats by Sofascore

Whilst the table above might initially sway those into thinking Meslier is just about the stronger ‘keeper when staring at clean sheets numbers alone, Perri was in a far tougher terrain last campaign in the French top division, with the Lyon number 23 preventing a whopping 6.05 goals in the process courtesy of his shot-stopping.

On the contrary, his ex-Lorient counterpart had far too many error-strewn displays – irrespective of his 21 clean sheets overall – leaving him with a worrying -2.35 in this regard.

Further lauded as being “the best goalkeeper in the world” by Fonseca last season, this feels like a signing that would make Leeds a far more competitive force when returning to the Premier League, rather than hoping for Sadiki to come good in such a challenging environment.

Better signing than Diarra: Leeds line up move for "exceptional" £30m star

Leeds United are reportedly interested in signing a star who would be even better than Habib Diarra.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 3, 2025

Glasgow Rangers manager Russell Martin has a massive task ahead of him, there is no doubt.

His first few interviews since being unveiled as the new Ibrox boss have been positive, and it is clear the former Southampton manager has a distinct style of play.

This is something that the club have lacked under previous managers, including Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Philippe Clement. Those two set up teams well in Europe, but domestically was a different story.

It may well be the opposite in Martin’s case. But given how poor the Gers have been in the Premiership since winning the title in 2021, this could well be a sacrifice many of the supporters are willing to make.

Martin will need every department to click at the start of next season, as a good start is imperative.

He needs his defence to be solid and reliable. A midfield full of players simultaneously able to win the ball back and move it forwards into the final third, and a front three able to get the better of a low block and take their chances.

In that regard, having someone of Alfredo Morelos’ ability would work wonders next season, especially as he would shine in Martin’s system.

Alfredo Morelos’ Rangers statistics

The Colombian talisman was a scourge for defenders, both domestically and in Europe, across his five years at Ibrox.

Between 2018 and 2023, he played 269 matches for the Light Blues, scoring an impressive tally of 124 goals for the club. Add in another 57 assists, and it is clear that Morelos was not only a clinical finisher, but he was also able to link play with those alongside and behind him.

Not since he departed have Rangers been able to call on a player with these abilities. Sure, Cyriel Dessers may have scored 51 times in just over 100 games, but the Nigerian striker often takes two or three chances to get on the scoresheet.

Morelos refined his game after a productive opening few seasons at Ibrox. Indeed, when the club won the domestic title during 2020/21, Morelos ‘only’ scored 11 league goals.

He played slightly deeper than in previous seasons, linking up with the likes of Ianis Hagi, Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent in order to create chances for them too.

Danilo has shown glimpses of his deep-lying abilities when given a chance, but the Brazilian hasn’t enjoyed a consistent run in the team to make a proper difference.

In Morelos, Rangers had a striker who established himself as a cult icon during his spell at Ibrox.

If Martin wishes to get the fans onside quickly, signing a player who is similar in style and stature to Morelos might be a good start.

Alfredo Morelos’ Rangers stats
Season	Games	Goals	Assists
2022/23	45	12	7
2021/22	42	18	8
2020/21	44	17	13
2019/20	47	29	9
2018/19	48	30	12
2017/18	43	18	8
Via Transfermarkt

He could well have some money to spend this summer thanks to the 49ers investment. This should allow the new manager to bring in several transfer targets, which will bolster the squad.

Could his first signing be a young striker who is ready to take the next step in his career?

Rangers search for a new striker

While Dessers, Danilo and Hamza Igamane are all options for Martin, it is likely one is sold this summer.

Now, according to the Daily Record, Rangers have made Maccabi Tel Aviv centre-forward Dor Turgeman their number one target this summer.

Transfer Focus

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

The youngster could be available for a fee in the region of £4m, and reports from Israel claim that the Glasgow side have already opened talks with the player regarding a move to Scotland.

Getting deals done over the line quickly will be key for Martin, especially as the Gers face a Champions League qualifier in six weeks.

Could Turgeman be a dream first signing? He certainly has all the tools required to succeed in Europe.

Why Rangers must sign Dor Turgeman

Last season, the highest scorer for the club was Dessers with 29 goals across all competitions. The next best tally from a striker was 16 by Igamane. While Danilo could only muster six goals through another injury-ravaged campaign.

Adding in another player who has the ability to score 20 or more goals next season is vital, especially if Martin wishes to challenge for the league title.

On that note, Turgeman would be an ideal signing this summer. The 2024/25 campaign was arguably his breakout for the Israeli side. Across 44 matches, the 21-year-old netted 20 goals and grabbed six assists for his club side.

He was praised by analyst Kai Watson as far back as February 2024, who said: “He’s played mostly as a striker but can definitely do a job on the wing. He’s quick, agile and has brilliant balance when driving with the ball.

“A very exciting player to watch and one that would have fans off of their seats.”

Last season certainly proved exactly what he can do and now is the chance for him to make a move and perform at a club like Rangers.

The club needs players who are willing to fight for every ball and win every duel. His manager, Zarko Lazetić, claimed that Turgeman was a “beast on the pitch”, and this sort of profile fits in with Martin’s style.

Like Morelos, the Israeli striker is capable of dropping deeper and generating chances for his team. Indeed, in the top flight last term, Turgeman created ten big chances for Maccabi, while he also recorded three assists and averaged 0.7 key passes per game.

For a fee of £4m, it is evident that Rangers would be getting a striker who closely resembles Morelos, perhaps without the disciplinary issues.

By selling Dessers in the coming weeks, Martin will be able to clear room for the youngster, who will be hoping to make his mark on Scottish football.

If the new owners and manager are serious about taking Rangers back to the summit of Scottish football, signing Turgeman should be a priority. That’s a certainty.

Rangers' top 15 goalscorers of all time

Rangers have had plenty of natural goalscorers at Ibrox over the last 150 years.

By
Ross Kilvington

Dec 26, 2024

Manchester United are now in a transfer race with arch-rivals Manchester City in a bid to sign a “world-class” Paris Saint-Germain player, according to a recent report.

Man Utd ready to cut losses to make room for new signings

The first week or so of the summer transfer window has seen United agree a move for Matheus Cunha and work on a deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. But while Ruben Amorim wants to strengthen his team over the coming months, the Portuguese also wants to move players on, as the club looks to bring in money and cut the size of the squad, given there is no European football next season.

£84m Garnacho upgrade: Man Utd in talks for 'one of the best in the world'

Man Utd appear to be seeking a statement replacement for Alejandro Garnacho this summer

ByRobbie Walls Jun 8, 2025

The likes of Antony, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Andre Onana have been tipped for exits, but the two most high-profile departures from Old Trafford this summer could be Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho.

That is because Inter Milan are keen on signing Hojlund, reportedly looking into signing the Dane on loan before getting him on a permanent basis for £38 million next year. The fee is considerably lower than the £72 million United paid in 2023, but his departure could fund a move for a more prolific number nine.

Meanwhile, an exit has been on the cards for Garnacho in the last six months, and now Fabrizio Romano has confirmed the Argentine will be leaving Old Trafford. Since that news, Saudi team Al-Nassr are interested in a deal for Garnacho, should they be unable to agree a deal with Liverpool to sign Luis Diaz.

Man Utd trying to beat Man City to Donnarumma

An exit for both Hojlund and Garnacho would free up money for the Red Devils, and they may already know how to spend it. According to L’Equipe, Man United have expressed an interest in signing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG.

The Italian is under contract in Paris until June 2026, but the French and European champions want to extend that deal and have been trying to do so for the last few months. However, a positive outcome has yet to be reached. Donnarumma has an offer on the table from PSG, but he is said be unhappy with what the current terms.

That has now left the door open for United and City, who are both interested in a deal, and the report claims the goalkeeper has already spoken to some of his teammates about possibly making a move to England.

Apps

154

Goals conceded

152

Clean sheets

51

The 26-year-old, who has been dubbed “world-class” by Carlo Ancelotti in the past, was sensational for PSG in the Champions League. He kept six clean sheets in 15 games and played a crucial role in them getting past the likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Liverpool in the knockout stages.

His potential arrival at Old Trafford would be an expensive one, as the goalkeeper earns €244,808 a week, which is roughly £206,000. It would also depend on what happens to Onana, as he’s been linked with a move away, but as of yet, no team has made a significant offer.

Chelsea chiefs have decided that they will sell a player who manager Enzo Maresca loves for just £30 million this summer, with the Blues expected to orchestrate a major clearout ahead of next season.

Players likely to leave Chelsea this summer

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Alfie Gilchrist, Armando Broja, Raheem Sterling, João Félix, David Datro Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell and Axel Disasi are just some of the names facing uncertain futures at Stamford Bridge.

Kompany "pushing" Bayern to sign £50m star after Chelsea talks with him

The Bavarians are now attempting to compete with Enzo Maresca’s side.

ByEmilio Galantini Apr 15, 2025

All the aforementioned men were allowed to depart west London on loan deals this season, and it is unlikely any of them have a long-term future under Maresca, as BlueCo also look to trim Chelsea’s wage bill and balance the books.

Fulham (away)

April 20th

Everton (home)

April 26th

Liverpool (home)

May 4th

Newcastle (away)

May 10th

Man United (home)

May 18th

Trevoh Chalobah is also expected to leave Chelsea after being initially allowed to join Crystal Palace on a temporary deal for the first half of 2024/2025, before Maresca’s side triggered the re-call clause in his contract to instigate an early return in January.

Félix was shipped out on loan to AC Milan in January as well, and while the Portuguese made a promising start to life at the San Siro, his form has since plummeted and Milan have already decided not to try and sign him permanently (Fabrizio Romano).

Interestingly, The Telegraph even shared news this week that Al-Nassr have developed a strong interest in Moises Caicedo, but Maresca’s key star will command a price tag north of £100 million, and it is unlikely Chelsea would even entertain selling.

However, the same cannot be said of versatile defender Renato Veiga.

Chelsea ready to sell Renato Veiga for £30m

Veiga was very keen to leave Chelsea in January, as he held a burning desire to play at centre-back when Maresca was utilising him far more in the left-back area.

Juventus eventually granted the 21-year-old his wish, signing him on loan for the rest of this campaign. Maresca is still said to be “crazy” about Veiga as a player, according to reports in Italy, but that hasn’t stopped Chelsea from making him available for a reasonable fee.

As per The Mail and journalist Simon Jones, Chelsea will allow Veiga to leave for just £30 million this summer, with the defender set to be joined by Disasi, Chilwell and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as players almost certain to be up for grabs.

The Portuguese cost Chelsea just £12 million to sign from FC Basel last summer, so Todd Boehly and co will still be in line for a major profit if they find a buyer for over double his original price.

Since joining Juve, Veiga has started seven out of the Old Lady’s last 10 Serie A games as a centre-half, missing two matches due to injury and spending one on the bench.