Kobbie Mainoo is a player who appeared to be the future of Manchester United, but his future could now be in doubt over the next couple of years.

The 2023/24 campaign was a phenomenal one for the 20-year-old, scoring crucial goals against Wolves, Liverpool and even the FA Cup final triumph over rivals Manchester City.

However, the same can’t be said for last season, only making 19 starts in the Premier League and failing to register a single goal or assist – highlighting his decline under Ruben Amorim.

As a result, he’s been linked with various moves away from Old Trafford this summer, potentially being offloaded to raise funds for any additions the manager desires.

Should he stay, it could get even worse at the Theatre of Dreams for the Englishman, potentially falling further down the pecking order given the interest elsewhere.

The latest on Man Utd’s hunt for a new midfielder

Douglas Luiz is a player who’s been firmly on their radar this summer, potentially available for a bargain price after only starting three Serie A matches last campaign.

He’s been subject to talks already this window, with the Italian outfit opening to allowing him to join the Red Devils in any deal which could see Jadon Sancho move to Turin.

However, he’s not the only midfielder in Italy’s top flight currently in their sights, with Atalanta star Ederson another player under consideration, according to one Spanish outlet.

The report claims that higher-ups at Old Trafford have already held talks with the 26-year-old’s representatives over a potential deal, but it could set them back around £50m this summer.

It also states that Amorim’s side see him as one of the best options on the market for the midfield department, but it’s unclear if the player himself would be open to any move to England.

Why United’s £50m target could prove to be bad news for Mainoo

The midfield department at United already has a fair amount of quality, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte and Casemiro all already on the club’s books.

Given the other options, Mainoo has found minutes harder to come by, even having to feature in a false nine position at times last campaign, with the central midfield department one that’s already stacked.

Christian Eriksen was released at the end of his contract at the end of June, which raised funds and opened a gap for added minutes within the first team setup.

However, Mainoo may not be able to take advantage of the situation, especially given the recent rumours over a move to land Brazilian talent Ederson.

When comparing the pair’s respective figures from the most recent season, the Atalanta star has massively outperformed him in numerous key areas – potentially ending Mainoo’s time with the Red Devils should he join.

Ederson, who’s been labelled “one of the best midfielders in Seria A” by journalist Matteo Bonetti and registered more combined goals and assists, along with more shot-creating actions per 90 – highlighting the goalscoring threat he carries in front of goal.

He’s also thrived with the ball at his feet, completing more of the passes he’s attempted, with more passes into the final third per 90 – having the tools to provide those in front of him with added chances.

How Ederson compares to Mainoo in 2024/25
Statistics (per 90)	Ederson	Mainoo
Games played	37	25
Goals & assists	5	0
Pass accuracy	87%	86%
Progressive passes	6.8	3.5
Passes into final third	6.1	2.7
Shot-creating actions	3.1	1.8
% of tackles won	65%	60%
Interceptions made	1.1	0.9
Carries into final third	1.8	0.9
Aerials won	60%	38%
Stats via FBref

The Brazilian’s dominance over the United youngster is further reflected out-of-possession, winning more of the tackles he’s entered, whilst also making more interceptions per 90, hence why Italian content creator Damiano Coccia has even claimed that Ederson is “the strongest defensive midfielder in the world.”

£50m for a player of Ederson’s quality could prove to be an excellent pickup, handing the side the elite-level talent at the heart of the squad they have been crying out for.

Mainoo is a player who was once seen as the future of the football club, but his playing time could well be further limited should the Atalanta star move to Old Trafford this summer.

Wilcox preparing bid to sign Man Utd's answer to Jude Bellingham this week

Manchester United appear to be making a huge move to land a superb young talent this summer.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 9, 2025

أوضح الفرنسي كيليان مبابي مهاجم فريق ريال مدريد الإسباني، موقفه من حضور حفل الكرة الذهبية “بالون دور” 2025، واللاعب الذي يتمنى فوزه بالجائزة هذا العام.

ويقام حفل الكرة الذهبية في باريس يوم الإثنين المقبل، حيث تم ترشيح 30 لاعبًا للجائزة المرموقة التي تمنح لأفضل لاعب.

وشارك مبابي في فوز ريال مدريد على أولمبيك مارسيليا الفرنسي أمس الثلاثاء، بالجولة الأولى لمرحلة الدوري في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، بهدفين لهدف، حيث أحرز هدفين من ضربتي جزاء.

وفي حديثه لشبكة “سي بي إس سبورتس”، قال مبابي: “للفوز بالجائزة، يجب الفوز بالألقاب، لذا عليّ مساعدة فريقي على الفوز بالألقاب، وبعد ذلك سنرى”.

وأضاف: “سأكون سعيدًا إذا فاز عثمان ديمبلي، فهو صديقي وقد دعمته منذ البداية، سأشاهد الحفل على التلفاز وأتمنى أن يفوز بها”.

اقرأ أيضًا | دي زيربي: ركلة جزاء ريال مدريد مخزية ولم تُحتسب لتعويض طرد كارفاخال

وسبق وأوضحت تقارير صحفية إسبانية، أن نادي ريال مدريد يعتزم مقاطعة حفل الكرة الذهبية كما حدث خلال العام الماضي، دعمًا لفينيسيوس جونيور، حين توج رودري لاعب مانشستر سيتي بالجائزة.

ويتنافس 30 لاعبًا على جائزة الكرة الذهبية، بينهم كيليان مبابي، عثمان ديمبلي لاعب باريس سان جيرمان، والمصري محمد صلاح جناح ليفربول الإنجليزي، ولامين يامال نجم برشلونة الشاب.

Leeds United have now identified a £20m goalkeeper as their top target to replace Illan Meslier this summer, journalist Marco Giordano has revealed.

Leeds set to bring in replacement for Meslier

With Karl Darlow replacing Meslier between the sticks at the back end of last season, The Athletic’s Phil Hay believes the Frenchman is “done” at Elland Road, saying: “Meslier, I struggle to see being first choice at Leeds again. I might be wrong. But the way in which it has happened this season, dropping out of the team on the back of two or three years of downward spiral.

“It makes you think he needs a fresh start and Leeds need to go after a new first-choice goalkeeper. I’d be really surprised if they don’t. I feel like he’s done.”

Since then, Daniel Farke’s side have gone on to identify a number of potential targets, with recent reports suggesting they have even submitted a £6m bid for Fenerbahce’s Dominik Livakovic, who has been identified as a potential alternative to Torino’s Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.

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1 ByDominic Lund Jul 10, 2025

In a recent update on X, Giordona has revealed that Leeds’ pursuit of Milinkovic-Savic has faded, perhaps given the rival interest from Serie A champions Napoli, who are now in a position to negotiate with Torino.

As such, Leeds have identified a different goalkeeper as their “top choice” to replace Meslier this summer, namely Lyon’s Lucas Perri, who is set to be available for a fee of around £20m, given that his current employers have faced significant financial issues.

There could be stiff competition for Perri’s signature, however, with Premier League rivals Newcastle United also identifying the Lyon shot-stopper as a potential alternative to Burnley’s James Trafford earlier this week.

"Best in the world" Perri could be ideal Meslier replacement

Lyon manager Paulo Fonseca would seemingly be very disappointed to lose his goalkeeper, considering the 52-year-old lauded him as the “best in the world” after he put in a remarkable display in a 2-0 victory against OGC Nice back in March.

On that day, the Brazilian made three saves from inside the box to keep Nice at bay and pick up a clean sheet, in what was one of many solid displays throughout the 2024-25 campaign, having also put in a top performance against Saint Étienne.

Fonseca isn’t the only person who has been left impressed by the 27-year-old in recent times either, with football scout Ben Mattinson lauding him as a “top” and “undervalued” goalkeeper back in March.

It is clear that Leeds need to replace Meslier this summer, given that his mistakes nearly cost his side promotion to the Premier League last season, and Perri has proven he could be a solid replacement, so it is promising news that he has emerged as the top target.

Fast bowler hopeful that he can avoid surgery, as he’s told to stop picking up kids with right arm

Vithushan Ehantharajah24-Sep-2024

Mark Wood was in superb form during the West Indies Tests before his injury•Getty Images

Mark Wood will find out this week if he has suffered a stress fracture in his right elbow, and whether he needs surgery to rectify the problem.Wood was ruled out for the rest of the year at the start of September after a scan revealed what the ECB described as a “bone-stress injury”.The England quick, who registered in the mid-90s consistently this summer – along with a top speed of 97.1mph against West Indies at Trent Bridge – was originally withdrawn from the Sri Lanka series as a precaution after picking up a right groin strain during the first Test against Sri Lanka. It was only then that a routine check of his elbow, which he had felt was stiff during the West Indies series earlier this summer, eventually led to him being ruled out of this winter’s Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand.The ECB medical team remain hopeful that surgery will not be required, though this week’s appointment will determine that for sure. An initial scan three weeks ago at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London was promising, with specialists stating at the time that there did not seem to be a fracture, and were optimistic he might not require surgery.Related

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In 2022, Wood had two operations on his right elbow to remove bone fragments and cut a ligament that was trapped in the joint, and returned to action back to his best, bowling some of his fastest spells in the next two summers, including the 2023 Ashes. Whether he must go under the knife again, along with confirmation as to whether he does have a stress fracture, should be determined in the coming days.”It was a bizarre injury,” Wood told during the third ODI between England and Australia at Chester-le-Street. “I had a bit of a groin tweak and went for a scan with a stiff elbow which is not uncommon for a fast bowler.”I was thinking I might need an injection which would give me a perfect time period with having the groin injury. When I was having the scan the doctor looked a little bit concerned and said you better get this checked a little more. They said I have some bone stress in my elbow. I must have been playing with it.”They were worried it would be a stress fracture but I have got to see a specialist in another few days to determine that. A bit of a bizarre one really.”Wood revealed he has also been advised to use his right side less in everyday life – including carrying his kids.”There is nothing I can really do on my right side. I have been told to stop picking my kids up with my right arm. I have to do everything with my left. I am hoping I am going to come back like [Rafael] Nadal with one big left arm and a skinny right arm.”

Manchester United are now ready to make a shock move for a “world-class” World Cup winner, having held discussions over a deal at the weekend, according to a report.

Strachan believes Man Utd must replace Onana

Former Celtic boss Gordan Strachan has suggested Ruben Amorim needs to replace Andre Onana this summer, given that the goalkeeper doesn’t have the necessary qualities to succeed at Old Trafford.

Strachan said: “When I’ve been successful anywhere, I’ve had goalkeepers with personality and presence. Will it be a physical presence, a personality presence that is always needed in the team,”

“I don’t think Andre Onana got either of them. I don’t think he’s got a physical presence and I don’t think he’s got this personality presence. He looks like he’s constantly at war with himself worrying about making a mistake and that he might have to go somewhere else to get that confidence back.

Amorim appears to be in agreement with the 68-year-old, given that a number of goalkeepers have been identified as potential replacements for Onana already this summer.

Linked GK

Current club

League clean sheets in 24/25

Senne Lammens

Royal Antwerp

10

Diogo Costa

FC Porto

16

Lucas Chevalier

Lille

11

Emiliano Martinez

Aston Villa

9

There has now been a new update on Man United’s pursuit of Emiliano Martinez, with a report from The Daily Mail revealing they are now ready to launch a “shock” move for the Aston Villa goalkeeper, having held talks over a deal at the weekend.

The possibility of signing the 32-year-old on loan has been discussed, but Villa are unlikely to agree to a deal of that nature, given that they would stand to gain nothing by allowing him to join United on a temporary basis.

As such, a permanent departure could be more likely, but the Red Devils may need to shell out around £40m to get a deal done, and it is unclear whether they would be willing or able to pay a fee in that ballpark for the 2022 World Cup hero.

"World-class" Martinez could be instant upgrade on Onana

The likes of Lammens and Costa are yet to prove themselves in a major European league, meaning it could be a risky to take a punt on either goalkeeper as a replacement for Onana, while the Villa shot-stopper has already proven himself at the highest level.

Gary Neville has lauded the Villa star as “world-class”, which is underlined by the fact he has won the Best Fifa Men’s Goalkeeper award two times in the last three years, having made some very important saves during that time.

Unai Emery also praised the Argentina international for a different penalty save against Fulham last season, saying: “Emiliano Martinez is the best goalkeeper in the world. Before the penalty, I was sat down on the bench dreaming he would save it… and he did.”

United need a dependable option between the sticks if they are to reestablish themselves at the top level, and it is difficult to find a better goalkeeper than Martinez.

India’s T20I captain expected the Gwalior pitch for the first T20I to be conducive to run-scoring

Hemant Brar05-Oct-20242:03

Suryakumar Yadav ‘enjoying’ his role as captain

India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is aware of the impact Mayank Yadav can create with his express pace but he says it is important to “manage him well”.Mayank took everyone by storm with his 155kph pace during IPL 2024. Playing for Lucknow Super Giants, he picked up the Player-of-the-Match award in his first two games but was ruled out of the tournament soon after with an abdominal injury. He has not played any cricket since then but Suryakumar said he was back to full fitness.”He definitely has the X factor – it was evident when he played franchise cricket,” Suryakumar said ahead of the first T20I against Bangladesh in Gwalior. “He has that extra pace. I didn’t face him in the nets; our net plan was such that someone else faced him. But I have seen what potential he has and what difference he can make for the team. From that point of view, I feel he is a good addition to the Indian team and I am hoping he will do well.Related

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Gwalior takes centre stage as youthful India prepare for experienced Bangladesh

International cricket returns to Gwalior after 14 years, at a brand new venue

“It’s important to manage him well because of the amount of cricket being played. Everyone is playing for their state too. There was the Duleep Trophy recently. So it is important to pay proper attention and the BCCI is doing that.”Sunday’s match will be the first international at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium. In fact, the venue has not hosted any domestic cricket either. So there is an element of surprise about the conditions.While Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy expected the pitch to be “slow and low” with not much chances of a high-scoring game, Suryakumar Yadav had different views.”As you saw in Sri Lanka, Riyan [Parag] bowled four overs. If someone says he can bowl in the pressure situation, then why not”•Associated Press”The pitch looks good,” he said. “We practised on the centre wicket, just two pitches away. We didn’t find it that low and slow – we practised all three days. So it [the match pitch] should not be much different.”For T20 cricket, these are good wickets. There will be good competition [between the bat and ball] but at the same time it looks good [for run-scoring]. The rest we will get to know tomorrow.”Yes, it’s a new ground but having practised here for three days, we know what the conditions are, how the pitch is, how the outfield is, what the wind factor is like, whether the dew settles in or not. We will like to play the way we did in the last T20I series. And if everyone does their job, you will get the desired results.”Until recently, India had the problem of their batters not chipping in with the ball in white-ball cricket. But that seems to be changing now, with India’s T20I squad including a plethora of allrounders and part-time bowling options.”It’s good if your batters can bowl an over or two,” Suryakumar said. “I think there is hardly anyone in this squad who doesn’t bowl. That gives you more bowling options on the ground. As you saw in Sri Lanka, Riyan [Parag] bowled four overs. If someone says he can bowl in the pressure situation, then why not.”

Victoria duo Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb have sent very timely reminders of their talents to Australia’s selectors with twin centuries for Victoria against Tasmania at the Junction Oval on the opening day of the Sheffield Shield season.With Cameron Green’s availability for the Test series against India still unknown due to a back injury and Steven Smith’s Test batting position also unclear, Harris put forth an early case to be reinstated as Australia’s Test opener by making 143, his 29th first-class century. Meanwhile, Handscomb is less likely to be considered for the upcoming Test series, but did his chances of earning a spot on the January-February Test tour of Sri Lanka no harm with 129, his 26th first-class hundred and his fifth in 2024.The pair put together a near-faultless 239-run third-wicket stand, having come together at 22 for 2 after Ash Chandrasinghe and Campbell Kellaway both fell cheaply to Gabe Bell. But having put Victoria in a superb position at 261 for 2 with just under 30 overs left in the day, the pair was unable to kick on to massive scores, as Tasmania’s bowlers fought back late in the day to leave Victoria 330 for 7 at stumps.Harris, though, continued his love affair with the Junction Oval, scoring his seventh Shield century at the venue. His ground average of 69.84 in 12 matches compared to his average of just 33.30 at Australia’s five major Test venues has raised questions about his credentials for a Test recall. But this was one of his best on a surface that provided plenty of assistance to Tasmania’s seamers in the first session after the visitors had won the toss and elected to bowl.Harris scored with typical fluency, but he looked especially assured with his alignment and decision-making around the off stump. He drove and cut the ball powerfully when opportunities presented without taking on too much risk in the first two sessions in particular. But after play he played a straight bat to talk of Test selection following Green’s injury.”Everyone keeps asking me that,” Harris said. “Probably in the past, it’s weighed on my mind a lot more than what it is at the moment.”I’m just sort of playing it as it comes at me. I think last year was a good lesson for that. I’ll just keep playing whatever I’m playing and trying to put some runs on the board.”I think it’s always helpful if you get runs early in the season, to sort of kick-start your season a little bit. But, yeah, just focus on what I’m doing here.”Handscomb provided the perfect foil, and continued the outstanding form he displayed in the recent county championship season with Leicestershire, where he scored three centuries and averaged 74.50 in division two. He accumulated runs with characteristic calmness, and allowed Harris the freedom to expand when the pitch settled after lunch.Post tea, Harris looked to put the foot on the accelerator and tried to hit left-arm orthodox spinner Matthew Kuhnemann out of the attack. Harris launched the three-Test spinner twice over deep midwicket, with the wind at his back, before skying a catch to mid-off trying to go a third time in four balls, handing Kuhnemann his first Shield wicket for his new state after moving from Queensland.Victoria’s progressed slowed significantly after Harris’ fall. Beau Webster picked up his first wicket of the new season shortly after when Tom Rogers was caught behind for just 1 on Sheffield Shield debut.Handscomb and Sam Harperthen shared a 45-run stand for the fifth wicket, but only scored at just over two runs an over as Kuhnemann and Brad Hope bowled tidy spells. Harper had a scare when he was struck on the helmet attempting a pull shot. There were concerns initially given Harper’s concussion history, but he was cleared to continue with a new helmet.Handscomb was then caught and bowled skillfully by Hope on 129, before Tasmania took the second new ball late in the day. Bell returned with Lawrence Neil-Smith to pick up two more before stumps and leave the game nicely poised.

Manchester United have now submitted a £34 million bid to sign an “intelligent” midfielder who Ruben Amorim has worked with before, according to a new report.

Man Utd looking to sell first-team players in mini overhaul

Man United have spent big money on two proven Premier League stars this summer, and if they wish to do more business it looks as though they are going to need to sell multiple first-team players.

Scored at Old Trafford: Man Utd now battling to sign £22m-a-year striker

He knows the Premier League well…

2 ByTom Cunningham Jul 27, 2025

Marcus Rashford is so far the biggest departure out of Old Trafford, as the England international has joined Barcelona on loan with an option to buy. The Red Devils are still looking to sell Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia and Antony.

And they could be in line to see one of those leave fairly soon, as according to Foot Mercato, Al-Nassr have submitted a bid to sign Antony. It isn’t clear how much the offer is worth from the Saudi side, but United are holding out for a fee of £52 million.

Meanwhile, it’s been reported by The Sun that United are now open to the possibility of selling defender Luke Shaw. The 30-year-old is gathering strong interest from the Saudi Pro League, and with two years left on his contract at Old Trafford United could be tempted to sell, despite the fact he featured for Amorim last season and looks to be part of his plans for the upcoming campaign.

Man Utd submit £34m bid for Hjulmand

As departures become the main talking point at Old Trafford, the Red Devils are still assessing their options for reinforcements, as they look to bolster their midfield. According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Man United have now offered €40 million (£34 million) to sign Morten Hjulmand from Sporting.

The 26-year-old is believed to have a release clause worth €80 million, but Sporting are willing to lower their demands to €50 million. Juventus are also interested in the midfielder, but they too must sell players before making a move for Hjulmand.

This has now opened the door for United, especially as Hjulmand’s entourage believes the right valuation is around the €30/40 million mark, which is roughly £26/34 million. His agents are unsurprisingly keen to land a big move, with the Sporting star worth almost double their next top client, Brentford’s Mikkel Damsgaard.

The Dane is well known to manager Amorim, as he worked with the player at Sporting, and this report states that the player himself would rush back to England to work with him again, but United have still got to find an agreement with the Portuguese club.

Apps

96

Goals

7

Assists

6

Hjulmand, who has been dubbed defensively “intelligent” by analyst Ben Mattinson, has been a key performer for Sporting in the last two seasons, as they have won Liga Portugal twice. The Denmark international is under contract until 2028, but United will hope the lure of working with Amorim will help them secure this transfer, as the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona, and Tottenham Hotspur also hold an interest.

Arsenal know that they will sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer and he will lead the line for Mikel Arteta next season and beyond. A total agreement with Sporting Lisbon has been reached.

Gyokeres might be 27, and thus is not someone who will be starring at number nine for the Emirates side in ten years, but he’s complete and accomplished, in the prime of his career and ready to tackle a top division such as the Premier League.

He did, after all, score 97 goals and supply 28 assists across 102 matches, winning the Liga Portugal in each of his two terms in the Iberian country.

However, Gyokeres might need some support as he enters the Emirates fray. Indeed, Arteta plans to pair him up with a playmaker.

Arsenal targeting a creative midfielder

Martin Odegaard left plenty to be desired last season, but he’s still Arsenal’s captain and one of the best midfielders in the world besides.

However, Arteta seeks a new playmaker who can drift between central and wide attacking berths. Someone like Chelsea’s Cole Palmer would be great.

There have been rumours that RB Leipzig talent Xavi Simons, 22, would be the man for the job, but Arsenal have fallen behind Chelsea in the race for the diminutive Dutchman.

This might feel like a blow, but when you consider the reason why the north Londoners have taken a step back, it becomes quite a bit less crippling.

Indeed, Arsenal are targeting one of the Premier League’s finest stars.

Arsenal in talks to sign PL star

According to GIVEMESPORT, Arsenal are currently holding internal talks as they weigh up a formal offer for Eberechi Eze, who scored the winning goal as Crystal Palace beat Manchester City in last season’s FA Cup final.

Eze, 27, has a £60m release clause and has also been targeted by teams such as Tottenham Hotspur, but it is the Gunners who are leading the race as technical director Andrea Berta looks to seal a summer spending spree.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed earlier this week that Arsenal have held discussions with Eze’s camp as they look to put the pieces together.

Why Arsenal must sign Eberechi Eze

Crystal Palace signed Eze from Queens Park Rangers in the Championship for a £20m fee. It was 2020, and he was regarded as one of England’s brightest up-and-coming talents.

Five years on, Eze has immortalised himself as a Palace great, and now wants to make a big move to one of the finest teams on the continent while in the prime of his career.

The England international has been described as a “superstar” by analyst Ben Mattinson, and his vicious blend of powerful athleticism, fleet-footedness and always-improving potency in the final third makes him the perfect fit for Arteta’s project, having proven himself positionally versatile too.

Attacking midfield

74

25

11

Left winger

52

9

7

Central midfield

25

6

3

Right winger

3

0

0

As per FBref, the £100k-per-week star’s efforts last term left him ranked among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers in the Premier League for shots taken, the top 9% for shot-creating actions, the top 10% for successful take-ons and the top 14% for ball recoveries per 90.

This complete sweep of attributes led the data-driven site to draw his countryman Palmer as one of his most statistically similar players, with the 22-year-old hailed as “the best player in the Premier League” by Jamie Carragher at the start of the 2024/25 season.

Palmer joined Chelsea from Manchester City in a deal worth £42m in September 2023, and he has since become the face of English football, with his extraordinary debut campaign yielding 25 goals and 15 assists across 45 matches in all competitions for the Blues.

Though Eze is not quite so clinical as his world-class positional peer, he is a unique and tricky opponent, so skilful and dynamic in his movements.

As per Sofascore, the Palace talent actually finished the recent league season having averaged two dribbles, 1.7 key passes and 4.6 ground duels (of which he won a respectable 53%) per game, further highlighting his roundedness.

And, of course, it’s not as if Eze isn’t clinical in his own right, having raised his game in that regard under Oliver Glasner’s wing, posting 34 direct goal involvements across 54 games since the Austrian manager arrived in the English capital.

Now, just imagine the improvements that could be made in Arteta’s system. The Spaniard is renowned as one of the best tacticians in football, with new Gunners recruit Martin Zubimendi even hailing him as “one of the best coaches in Europe”.

Given that Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli may both be sold this summer, Eze would be a fantastic addition – perhaps even a necessary addition – with his high-speed dribbling perfect for the left flank, should he not be deployed centrally to take on defenders, create space and spark playmaking for his side.

Dubbed a “magician” of a midfielder by pundit Micah Richards in the past, signing Eze really is a no-brainer. While he may not be Chelsea’s Palmer, he does possess a certain tactical likeness that has already worked so well at Stamford Bridge, and would be sure to elevate Arteta’s project as trophies are targeted across various competitions next year.

Transfer Focus

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

A new season beckons, and if the summer transfer window is anything to go by, Arsenal are going to be right their at the front of the pack once again. Maybe the likes of Eze and Gyokeres could help them take that final step toward glory.

Bigger talent than Simons: Arsenal lining up "world-class" £87m talent

Arsenal are hoping to follow the signing of Viktor Gyokeres with more attacking quality.

ByAngus Sinclair Jul 25, 2025

Liverpool are preparing to defend their Premier League title, and while Arne Slot will be emboldened by the ambitious signings made thus far, their divisional rivals are growing in strength, packaging their teams with fresh parts.

But the Merseysiders set the standard with the £100m signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, a deal which may yet rise to £116m with add-ons.

It’s a fool’s game to name a prediction for the Premier League Player of the Year before the campaign’s even kicked off (but here we go anyway), and Wirtz hasn’t even played competitively in the English game yet, but he’s got to be among the frontrunners, and rightly so.

The attacking midfielder’s peerless creativity established him as a superstar in Germany, and he will hold the key to unlocking defences and charging Slot’s goalscoring endeavours.

In many respects, football is secondary at Anfield after the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, yet before too long, Richard Hughes’ focus will turn back to the transfer market with the 2025/26 campaign only weeks away – and Darwin Nunez expected to leave Liverpool for a new chapter.

The latest on Liverpool's striker search

The Athletic have confirmed that Liverpool are prioritising the acquisition of a new central striker as we head into the next phase of the summer transfer window.

Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak remains the dreamy top target, but signing him will be no easy feat, rated at £200m by his employers, who have no wish to sell.

However, the Magpies are looking to close a deal for Hugo Ekitike, another high on Liverpool’s list, which could spark a series of variables that might just play to Anfield’s favour. However, this is conjectural right now.

In any case, Liverpool need to replace Nunez, who only scored seven times last term and is heading toward the exit, something both parties are open to. Even with an elite playmaker in Wirtz joining the club, it’s felt the 25-year-old has had ample chances to prove himself.

With Napoli and Al Hilal both keen on the Uruguayan, the former already coming close but to be thwarted by financial differences, it’s only a matter of time before a move progresses for Nunez.

And when that happens, FSG are primed to sign a new out-and-out frontman.

Liverpool make contact for new striker

According to Liverpool reporter Matt Thielen, Liverpool have been in contact with Samu Aghehowa’s agents as they search for a new striker this summer.

The Reds aren’t the only ones scanning the market for a new striker to have centred on Aghehowa, however, with Aston Villa and Newcastle United both having shown an interest in recent weeks.

The 21-year-old could also prove to be cost-efficient. While he has an £82.5m release clause in his contract, Samu could be sold for considerably less at £63m.

Why Liverpool want Samu Aghehowa

In 2024, Aghehowa looked set for a transfer from Atletico Madrid to Chelsea, before the move collapsed and Porto swooped in.

The Blues’ frustrations proved to be the Portuguese outfit’s gain, for they have enjoyed the prolific qualities of a thriving young striker who has been hailed for his “elite potential” by analyst Ben Mattinson after scoring 27 goals and adding three assists across 45 matches in all competitions last term, notably dispatching a cool brace against Manchester United in the Europa League.

The Spanish striker has proved himself to be a deadly marksman, but he’s also a crisp and progressive distributor, ranked among the top 4% of strikers across divisions similar to the Liga Portugal last year for pass completion and the top 6% for through balls per 90, as per FBref.

In this regard, Slot could sign a new centre-forward with the goalscoring instinct and indeed technical awareness to operate within the ranged tactical parameters the Dutch coach likes to enforce.

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And it’s a tactical quirk which could find an ideal partner in Wirtz, whose ball-playing qualities and silky movement would allow the striker to find space with consistency and strike on goal. Or, conversely, ‘Samu’ could use his capacity to drop deep and play surgical balls into the box to keep defenders guessing, letting his 22-year-old teammate sidle into space.

Hailed as a “monster in the making” with a “complete profile” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, Aghehowa has the potential to throw down with the finest number nines that the game has to offer, but he’s not there yet.

However, his still-in-development skill set could actually be the perfect thing for Wirtz, with the two attacking players combining and growing in accordance with their partnership, learning all about the idiosyncrasies of each other’s games.

Liga Portugal 24/25 – Samu Aghehowa
Stats (* per game)	#
Matches (starts)	30 (23)
Goals	19
Assists	3
Shots (on target)*	2.7 (1.1)
Big chances missed	18
Pass completion	79%
Big chances created	5
Key passes*	0.6
Dribbles*	0.4
Duels won*	3.3
Stats via Sofascore

Looking at his clinical edge and ability to maximise a goalscoring opportunity (only hitting the target at an average of 1.1 times per league match last season) the Spanish forward could be elevated to the next level by Wirtz.

The German, after all, has been described as a “genius” of a creator by former Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, with his flowing river of chances sure to raise the 6 foot 4 powerhouse’s output.

Given that, were Aghehowa to sign, this could be Liverpool’s definitive offensive duo for an age, it makes sense that Hughes would have a vested interest.

Newcastle appear to be closing in on a deal for Ekitike, and the line over on Tyneside is Isak’s staying put; the 25-year-old will work in tandem with his younger French teammate.

Liverpool will, of course, remain attentive to Isak’s situation. Still, FSG’s ambitions only run so far, and it seems unlikely that a figure in the ballpark of £200m would be green-lit after such steep expenditure already.

With this Porto phenom going from strength to strength, Slot and co could forget about all that and focus on a man who looks perfect for this high-flying project.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Jul 15, 2025