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After a slow start to his Anfield career, Florian Wirtz has revealed what Liverpool manager Arne Slot has just told him to do if he wants to get back to his best.

Why Wirtz has started slow at Liverpool

Whilst it’s been far from disastrous, Wirtz hasn’t got off to the electric start that many expected from a £116m player. The former Bayer Leverkusen player arrived as a player who has the ability to change games on his own and contribute to goals, but what Liverpool have so far seen is a hard-working midfielder who has struggled to make his mark.

There have been glimpses of his best form. In the September international break, the German scored an excellent free-kick and then returned to Liverpool to enjoy his best display yet against Atletico Madrid. It’s a game that should have ended his wait for a goal or assist since the Community Shield, but there were ultimately plenty of positive signs.

There were also signs of how he can control games in a 1-0 victory against Arsenal, especially when Alexis Mac Allister was replaced and he was no longer sharing the same spaces with such a similar player. Whether those two can thrive together is the big question. Slot did, of course, drop Wirtz for the Argentine in the Merseyside derby instead of starting both.

Unlike others in the Premier League, time is on Wirtz’s side. Liverpool sit top of the Premier League by five points and are the only side with a 100% record. If there’s an environment that allows players to settle in, it is Anfield.

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That said, Slot has still spoken to the big-money star about his form and told him exactly what he must do to get back to his best.

Wirtz reveals Slot conversation about Liverpool form

Speaking to reporters, Wirtz revealed that he has held a conversation with Slot about his slow start to life at Liverpool. The German revealed that Slot suggested that his form could be down to Liverpool’s press and his struggle to adapt to that intensity whilst also playing a part in possession.

It would certainly make sense why Wirtz has struggled to keep pace at times. Alas, if that is the reason behind his underwhelming form, then logic suggests that Liverpool should see the best version of their midfielder as the season goes on and his fitness reaches the level required.

Manchester United fans have been blessed with numerous elite-level strikers over the years, with many capturing the hearts of the supporters during their respective stints at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney spent 13 years with the Red Devils, joining them as a youngster from Everton and going on to exceed everyone’s expectations upon his arrival.

The Englishman netted 253 goals in his 559 outings – a tally to this day which remains the most in the club’s history after he overtook Sir Bobby Charlton’s record back in 2017.

He often starred alongside the likes of Robin van Persie and Dimitar Berbatov – subsequently playing a huge role in their record-breaking 13 Premier League title triumphs.

However, in the present day, boss Ruben Amorim is hunting for his own talisman to try and end the decade-long wait for another league trophy at the Theatre of Dreams.

What Sesko & Mbeumo will bring to Man Utd

After scoring just 44 league goals in 2024/25, Amorim made it clear that he wanted a new centre-forward in the summer window – with the board backing him with a deal to land Benjamin Sesko.

The deal to land the Slovenian international cost upwards of £70m, with the former RB Leipzig talisman able to be an immediate and long-term solution to their problems, given his tender age of 22.

However, he’s already showcased his quality in the Bundesliga, racking up 27 league goals in the last two years – a tally higher than any player in the Red Devils’ current first-team squad.

He’s going to be aided in his attempts by fellow new addition Bryan Mbeumo, after the Cameroonian international also joined Amorim’s men in a deal worth a total of £71m.

Like Sesko, the 26-year-old has thrived in front of goal over recent times, scoring 20 times in the Premier League throughout the 2024/25 campaign – subsequently leading to his big-money transfer.

However, despite the talents of the aforementioned talents, one former Red Devil star has thrived since leaving the club and once again demonstrated his incredible goalscoring nouse.

The former United star who’s outscoring Sesko & Mbeumo

Securing deals for experienced attackers isn’t unfamiliar to United after securing the signature of legendary forward Zlatan Ibrahimović back in the summer of 2016 after his release from PSG.

The Swede moved to Manchester at the age of 34, but that didn’t stop him from making a huge impact within the club’s first-team during the 2016/17 campaign.

He’s registered a staggering 28 goals in his 46 outings across all competitions – helping the side win the Europa League and Carabao Cup under José Mourinho.

Zlatan wasn’t the only experienced option landed by the hierarchy in recent years, with Edinson Cavani also following a similar pattern after also joining from the French giants.

Such a move occurred four years after his former teammate, also moving at a similar age, given that the Uruguayan was 33 at the time of his free transfer to join the Red Devils.

Cavani would spend two years at Old Trafford, racking up 59 appearances and managing to find the back of the net on 19 separate occasions – including an outrageous long-range against Fulham.

Given he was entering the back end of his career at the top level, he would leave in the summer of 2022 – departing on a free transfer to join Spanish side Valencia.

Fast-forward to the present day, the 38-year-old is still plying his trade for Argentine outfit Boca Juniors, but is still managing to find the back of the net on a consistent basis.

Edinson Cavani’s Man Utd time in numbers

Statistics

Tally

Games played

59

Goals scored

19

Assists

7

Minutes played

3094

Yellow cards

6

Minutes per goal

163

Minutes per assist

442

Stats via Transfermarkt

Cavani, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, has scored 24 goals since the start of the 2024/25 campaign – a simply remarkable tally given his age.

Such a figure is also higher than new additions, Sesko (21) and Mbeumo (22), subsequently highlighting the attacking threat he still carries to this day.

There’s no denying that the hierarchy made the right choice in allowing him to depart United, but it’s great to see a former fans’ favourite still thriving like he did at Old Trafford.

If the two new additions can make a similar impact to the Uruguayan at the Theatre of Dreams, there’s no reason why the club can’t be competing at the top end of the table once again in the years ahead.

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Celtic are in a strange position heading into the final few days of the summer transfer window, having just been knocked out of the Champions League.

The Hoops may have been hoping to have the extra funds to target bigger signings before the deadline, but they may have to find other ways to raise money for new additions, including cashing in on their current stars.

According to Anthony Joseph, Adam Idah had a medical at Swansea on Friday ahead of a £7m move to Wales, 12 months on from his £9.5m switch to Celtic from Norwich.

Allowing the Ireland international to move on, though, could provide the Scottish Premiership champions with a chance to reinvest in Brendan Rodgers’ squad in the next few days.

Celtic preparing bid for new winger

Whilst Idah’s exit will create the need for a new striker to arrive at Parkhead, the Scottish giants are also looking to bring in another winger on top of Michel-Ange Balikwisha.

Transfer Focus

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

According to Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph, Celtic are still pursuing a last-gasp deal to sign Hammarby forward Sebastian Tounekti.

The reporter claims that the Hoops have made a second offer for the winger after they already had a first proposal of around £2.6m turned down by the Swedish side.

He reveals that the Scottish giants have offered a deal worth up to £4.7m for the wing wizard, who is said to be valued at £5m, and it remains to be seen what their answer will be.

The winger was recently quoted saying: “You get to know some of what’s going on and I’ve heard that there’s interest. Of course it’s great that a big club (Celtic) that often plays in the Champions League wants me. It’s a top club in Europe. It’s great that there’s that kind of interest and it shows that you’ve done something good.”

What Tounekti could bring to Celtic

One player who could benefit from the club getting a deal over the line for the Swedish attacker is Daizen Maeda, who could love the creative forward.

The Japan international scored a staggering 33 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions last season, per Transfermarkt, but his only goal in six outings this term came against Falkirk in the League Cup.

Tounekti predominantly plays on the left wing and could free Maeda up to play through the middle as a striker, particularly with Idah’s impending exit, and the 23-year-old star has the creative quality to be a dream for the current Celtic marksman.

2025 Allsvenskan	Sebastien Tounekti	Percentile rank vs wingers
Goals	2	Top 37%
Chances created	22	Top 16%
Dribbles completed	41	Top 3%
Pass accuracy	85%	Top 15%
xA	4.53	Top 3%
Assists	5	Top 9%
Stats via FotMob

In 19 league starts this year, as you can see in the table above, the £3m-rated attacker has been one of the most creative players in his home country’s top-flight.

These statistics suggest that he has the potential to be an incredibly creative figure out wide for Celtic, as a player who can consistently beat opposition players as a dribbler whilst also creating high-quality chances for his teammates on a regular basis.

This is why Maeda, who has yet to replicate his goalscoring exploits from last season, may love to play alongside Tounekti at Parkhead this season for the Hoops.

The Celtic target could be the creative spark out wide that Maeda needs to rediscover his shooting boots and hit the goal trail on a regular basis for Rodgers once again, which is why this is a potentially exciting signing for the club for multiple reasons.

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3

By
Dan Emery

Aug 27, 2025

Manchester United have agreed an off-field deal which has left director of football Jason Wilcox “delighted”.

It has been a productive summer transfer window so far for the Red Devils, with INEOS spending more than £200m on the likes of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.

However, the club have also bolstered their ranks for the future with a deal for teenage defender Diego Leon. United paid Paraguayan side Cerro Porteno £7m for Leon, who Ruben Amorim used in pre-season.

Talking during the summer after appearing in friendlies, Leon said: “It’s incredible. I am really enjoying being here with team-mates and learning a lot of things. It’s the first time I have had friendlies like this. I thought it was going to be the stadium half-empty before entering the pitch but then, I hear a sound that surprised me! The stadium is full, the fans. It’s all crazy.”

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Leon could feature in the club’s academy ranks while also pushing for a spot in the first-team squad under Amorim, and a new update on the club’s academy has been confirmed.

Man Utd agree deal for Brentford academy director

On Thursday, it was revealed that the new academy director for Man Utd will be Stephen Torpey.

The Red Devils had been looking to fill the vacancy since Nick Cox departure to Everton as technical director was confirmed in June. Cox has stayed at Carrington to ensure a smooth transition and will take up the role on Merseyside when Brentford academy director Torpey joins in the coming months.

Wilcox admitted he was “delighted” and described Torpey’s previous work as “outstanding”.

Torpey said after a move to Man Utd was announced: “I am really proud to have this opportunity to lead Manchester United’s academy. It is obviously a great time to be joining as the club enters an exciting new era; I can’t wait to play my role in continuing the incredible tradition of youth development here.

“After spending time with the leadership team, it is clear that the academy will always remain key to the identity of Manchester United, with our primary aim being to produce players ready to support a first team capable of challenging for the biggest honours.”

ECB chief executive cites market dynamics for growing gender pay gap amid PCA critcism

Vithushan Ehantharajah13-Dec-2024Richard Gould, the ECB chief executive, says English cricket must not apologise for attracting the world’s best men’s players, as he faced down claims from the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) that Thursday’s upheaval to the Hundred’s pay structure for the 2025 season will only benefit overseas players.Top salaries in the men’s Hundred will rise from £125,000 to £200,000 (a 60% increase) and £100,000 to £120,000 (20%) for the second tier. However, the other four salary bands, which cover all but four players in 15-man squads, will receive hikes of between 3 and 5%.The announcement was greeted with disdain by the PCA, with interim-chief executive Daryl Mitchell stating he was “extremely concerned” at how the changes had been pushed through. Having been part of initial talks on how the injection of money would be spread across the board for the upcoming competition, Mitchell believed Thursday’s news reflected “a severe lack of communication and consultation”.Tymal Mills and Sam Billings, two players who have been ever-present since the Hundred’s inaugural season in 2021, took to X to voice their concerns. Billings, who captained Oval Invincibles to successive men’s titles, said: “Remarkable how a category gets a 60% increase yet most others get under 5%… Who has come up with this???”Speaking on Friday in Hamilton ahead of England’s third and final Test against New Zealand, Gould admitted he was taken aback by the PCA’s criticism, stating it was “not what I want to hear”. However, he held an unapologetic line about lifting the top brackets to court the best talent in the world, arguing that the dissenting voices had come from a “small section of male players”.”I don’t accept that,” Gould said, when asked if the top pay packets are almost exclusively reserved for overseas talent. “Because that band also includes central- and potentially contracted (England) players, so you’ve effectively got through that top band. And so, no, I don’t accept that at all.”Competition from overseas leagues, including Major League Cricket in the USA, has been a factor in the ECB’s approach to top-tier salaries, with Pat Cummins admitting to ESPNcricinfo that he hadn’t considered the Hundred when signing a lucrative four-year deal with San Francisco Unicorns last year.”This is a global market. We want the best players, irrespective of nationality. If you’re the best player, you’ll be paid the most,” Gould added. “You only have to look at the IPL and the differential and the spread. And if you look back over the last couple of years, we haven’t had as many of the best players in the world that we wanted in the men’s. We want more, and we’re not going to be apologetic in terms of our ambition to get them here.”Once we’re there, then the money is much easier to spread it throughout the squad. It is a very, very competitive market for a very small number of players, and we are not going to be pushed aside on that. We are going to compete, and we have to compete because we need the best players playing in our competition.”Gould also countered the PCA’s suggestions the ECB are guilty of widening the gender pay gap between the men’s and women’s competitions, citing market forces. While the top women’s bracket has increased by 30 percent, they will be earning three times less than their male counterparts. Next year, the difference in pay will have risen from £75,000 to £135,000.In 2022, the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) called for gender pay parity in the Hundred by 2025. The ECB pushed back on the timeframe as unrealistic in its response to the report, which Gould reiterated.”The gap has got bigger because of market dynamics,” he said. “That wasn’t a recommendation we said we could deliver on and we have been very up front on that. We have seen a significant increase in the salaries we have been able to put into the women’s game.”I’m really looking forward to the point that every county club in the country now has a women’s team. You know, I think in five years’ time, we’ll look back and go, ‘How did it take us this long?’ But I think that’s a really, really significant step for us.”Related

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Relations between the ECB and PCA are at an all-time low with disagreement over Hundred salaries following dissent over an issue regarding a new, more stringent No Object Certificate (NOC) policy.A group of domestic players have been blindsided by what they deem as legislation that restrict their earning opportunities. Those hamstrung by the new regulations are ones who have red-ball commitments written into their existing county deals.Though no NOCs have been rejected yet, with 80 handed out to male players in 2024 so far, a group of around 50 cricketers have floated the prospect of strike action in the form of boycotting the 2025 Hundred.Gould accepts there is nuance to the latest NOC stance, particularly for white-ball players with ad hoc agreements with their clubs. Tom Curran, for instance, has been on a white-ball contract with Surrey since 2022, but made two County Championship at the end of the 2024 season as the club negotiated other absences.Nevertheless, Gould believes the updated measures will “protect the sanctity” of county contracts. He also hopes a boycott does not come to fruition.”That may have been discussed on a call with with a variety of representatives, but I’ve heard nothing in that regard and I sincerely hope that’s that’s not the case.”

Tottenham Hotspur fans won’t be used to the heavy spending they’ve seen over the last couple of weeks, with Daniel Levy evidently looking to back new boss Thomas Frank.

The club completed the £55m signing of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United last week, as the club look to build a competitive squad which is capable of challenging for a place at the top of the table.

After finishing 15th in the Premier League last season, it’s no surprise to see new additions being lined up, with added funds expected to be dropped in the coming weeks.

Morgan Gibbs-White has been another player mentioned with a move to North London this summer, but a deal could now appear complicated given the threat of legal action from his current side, Nottingham Forest.

It’s unclear whether a deal for the England international will get completed, leading to other attacking talent being linked with big-money transfers to join the Lilywhites.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new additions this summer

Tyler Dibling is a player who’s constantly been on Spurs’ radar in recent months, especially after suffering relegation back to the Championship at the end of the season.

However, any deal for the teenager would set the hierarchy back a fee in the region of £55m this summer, potentially facing competition from Manchester United for his signature this window.

Another Premier League attacker has appeared on their radar over the last couple of days, with Brentford striker Yoane Wissa now a key target, according to TBR Football.

Their report claims that the Lilywhites are just one of various top-flight sides who have been in talks with his representatives over a move after scoring 19 league goals in 2024/25.

It also states that he could be available for a fee in the region of £40m during the ongoing window, that’s despite the Bees originally demanding £50m for his signature.

Why Spurs’ £40m target would be perfect alongside Kudus

The signing of Kudus could prove to be an excellent one for Spurs ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, handing Frank the needed versatility within attacking areas.

The Ghanaian can operate off the right or left-hand side of the frontline, whilst also being able to feature in the number ten position – having the creative nature to hand others around him the chances to impress.

In the Premier League last season, the 24-year-old registered 3.2 successful take-ons and an 84% accuracy, having the skillset to take the ball forward into attacking areas.

He also notched 2.1 carries into the final third along with 1.5 carries into the opposition’s box per 90, further highlighting his impressive ability with the ball at his feet.

Such figures could be handy for Wissa should the DR Congo international make the move across the capital and reunite with his former boss in North London.

When delving into the forward’s stats from his spell with the Bees last season, he has the tools to be a success at the club, handing Frank the needed talisman he craves with the Lilywhites.

Wissa, who’s been labelled “remarkable” by journalist Zach Lowy, managed to register 1.3 shots on target per 90, subsequently being able to link up with Kudus, especially considering the Ghanian’s tally of 1.2 chances created per 90 in the Premier League.

Yoane Wissa’s PL stats for Brentford (2024/25)
Statistics (per 90)	Tally
Games played	35
Goals scored	19
Shots on target per 90	1.3
Aerials won	46%
Pass accuracy	80%
Touches in opposition box	5.2
Fouls won	1.6
Stats via FotMob

He could also offer the side an out-ball given his aerial ability, with the current Brentford star winning 46% of the battles he entered, offering a focal point despite his small frame.

His clinical nature in front of goal would be a massive boost in the club’s hunt for future success, scoring 19 times, which would’ve made him the Lilywhites’ top scorer last campaign.

The prospect of Wissa linking up with Kudus in North London is one for the fans to be excited by, having the tools to work together and catapult the side up the table next time around.

£40m may appear to be an expensive price tag, but if he can replicate the levels he produced under Frank last season, it would be a phenomenal signing that would add a new dimension to the frontline.

Perfect with Gibbs-White: Spurs to make £60m bid for "phenomenal" talent

Tottenham Hotspur appear to be prepared to splash the cash under Thomas Frank this summer.

1

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 12, 2025

أكد جمال عبد الحميد، نجم الزمالك السابق، أن تراجع نتائج الأهلي في بداية الموسم أمر وارد، مشيراً إلى أن كل الفرق تمر بفترات صعبة خلال مشوارها في البطولات.

وقال عبد الحميد في تصريحات عبر برنامج “اللعيب” على قناة “MBC مصر”: “كل فريق يمر بكبوات، وارد إن الأهلي يمر بهذه الفترة خلال الـ6 مباريات التي خاضها حتى الآن”.

وتابع: “سبب تراجع الأهلي، هو أن كل الناس قبل الموسم في كل البرامج، كانت تقول إن الأهلي سيتوج بالدوري باكتساح بعد الصفقات التي ضمها في الميركاتو الصيفي، لكن كرة القدم تحتاج إلى احترام المنافس، (لو صدرك فرد هتتغلب)، لكن لو مهتم إن المنافس ممكن يفوز عليك ستفوز، عدم احترام المنافس يجعلك تخسر”.

طالع أيضًا | صدمة لـ الأهلي.. تطورات حالة إمام عاشور بعد الوعكة الصحية وموعد عودته

وأضاف: “الأهلي غير 4 مدربين في أشهر معدودة، كولر ثم عماد النحاس ثم ريبيرو ثم عودة عماد النحاس”.

وأردف: “رغم مشاكل الزمالك فهو بطل، اللاعبون لا يحصلون على مستحقاتهم وعندهم مشاكل، ولم يدعم صفوفه بأسماء كبيرة مثل الأهلي، ومع ذلك يتصدر الدوري الآن”.

واختتم عبد الحميد: “كان يتم التحفيل على الزمالك إنه كان يصل للمركز السادس، وعندما كان يحصد المركز الثاني كانوا يقولون إن بيراميدز أخذ مكانه، الآن الأهلي في المركز الخامس عشر، مركز لا يليق، وأنا (مش هحفل على الأهلي) لأنه ناد كبير وإن شاء الله المنافسة ستظل في النهاية بين القطبين”.

Chelsea are showcasing themselves as one of the busiest Premier League sides in the transfer market this summer, and many outgoings are also expected at Stamford Bridge.

Renato Veiga, Lesley Ugochukwu, Raheem Sterling, João Félix, David Datro Fofana, Carney Chukwuemeka, Ben Chilwell, Armando Broja and Axel Disasi are all expected to leave Cobham this summer (The Athletic), as BlueCo seek to trim the wage bill and help fund Chelsea’s recruitment drive.

£47m star has already agreed to join Chelsea with club talks "to follow"

Enzo Maresca’s side are busy behind-the-scenes amid their Club World Cup campaign.

By
Emilio Galantini

Jun 17, 2025

£150,000-per-week outcast Kepa Arrizabalaga is also on his way to Arsenal (David Ornstein), but he’s not the only keeper who could quit Chelsea in the coming months.

Chelsea’s best performers in the Premier League last season	Average match rating
Cole Palmer	7.33
Moises Caicedo	7.02
Enzo Fernández	6.95
Nicolas Jackson	6.88
Noni Madueke	6.82
via WhoScored

Chelsea want to sell both Djordje Petrovic and Robert Sanchez, according to reports, and could revisit a deal for AC Milan number one Mike Maignan after missing out on a pre-Club World Cup deal for the France international.

Club chiefs will be very keen to find new homes for Chilwell, Sterling and Felix in particular, considering the out-of-favour trio are on a combined salary of around £655,000-per-week.

There are some suggestions that key first-team players aren’t entirely safe either.

Chelsea may well decide to sell Trevoh Chalobah (Matt Law), despite his renaissance during the second half of 2024/2025, where he stood out as one of Maresca’s key men after returning from a loan spell at Crystal Palace.

Chelsea prepared to sell Noni Madueke this summer

As well as Chalobah, it is believed that mainstay winger Noni Madueke isn’t deemed untouchable by any means.

The England international, who earned praise from Thomas Tuchel during the Three Lions’ last round of international matches, started 27 Premier League games under Maresca last season, and it would’ve been more if not for injury.

Maresca even called Madueke one of Chelsea’s “best players”, but according to journalist Simon Phillips, the 23-year-old winger could still be sold in the coming months if a suitable offer arrives.

“Chelsea have reportedly made contact with Malick Fofana of Lyon as they weigh up winger options,” said Phillips, via his Substack.

“I get a sense that they are perhaps putting this name out there to help strengthen negotiations to sign Jamie Gittens of Dortmund. I am sure they do have interest in Fofana, absolutely, and you know what? Maybe they even look to end up bringing in two more out-and-out wingers, and they may well need them depending on the future of Noni Madueke as well, who Chelsea will listen to offers for.”

Of all the Chelsea players who absolutely need to be sold, Madueke surely isn’t one of them, regardless of their chase for new wide players.

“Noni has been excellent out there [on the left wing],” said pundit Jason Cundy on talkSPORT.

“The thing I love about Noni is whenever he picks the ball up, he looks that way [forward]. His first instinct with his first touch, ‘How can I get beyond you? How can I get in behind you?’

“What I noticed he did against Liverpool, and he does this very well on the right-hand side, but he will come inside on his right. Most left-footers out there tend not to. Left-footers love it on the right.

“When you’ve got a winger that can go both ways and threaten, as a full-back now you’re asking questions. He does that; Saka’s one of the best, goes out on the right and comes inside. You need to threaten both [ways], Noni has been really good, really impressive.”

Manchester United have a huge task ahead of them this summer, looking to transform the side in their ambitions of pushing back up the Premier League table in 2025/26.

Ruben Amorim is the man tasked with turning such a situation around at Old Trafford, but after taking the reins back in November, the side continued the slump they endured under former boss Erik ten Hag.

However, the ongoing transfer window presents the 40-year-old with a fresh opportunity to improve his first-team squad and offload players not at the desired level.

Matheus Cunha has already made the move to join the Red Devils this summer, but multiple other additions are expected as the club look to reach the next level.

It’s unclear how much will be provided by the hierarchy during this window, but it’s vital that key departments of the pitch are strengthened in due course.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions this summer

The midfield department has been one area that has seen improvements targeted, with Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney just one name touted with a move to United.

Atalanta star Ederson is another name mentioned with a move to Old Trafford this window, but he may be out of range, which could lead to other options being considered.

However, a new name has been mentioned in the form of Bayern Munich star Joao Palhinha, who could depart the Allianz Arena this summer, according to TBR Football.

The report claims he is holding talks with the German outfit over his future, which could lead to the Red Devils making a move for his signature in the coming weeks.

It also states that a deal for the Portuguese international would likely be a loan move, after he only moved to the Bundesliga from Fulham in a £47.5m deal last summer.

Why United’s latest target could be perfect for Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes has been a shining light within the United squad over the last few years, still reaching astronomical levels despite their recent clump in 2024/25.

The Portuguese international joined the club back in January 2020 and has been a phenomenal addition ever since, notching 20 plus combined goals and assists in every season he’s spent at Old Trafford.

Even this season, after finishing in 15th place in the Premier League, he registered 37 goals contributions and subsequently being nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award.

He’s recently been subjected to major interest from Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia, but he rejected a mammoth contract worth in the region of £700k-per-week to stay and take the Red Devils back towards their former glory.

However, as a result of the lack of quality, the 30-year-old has been forced to operate in a slightly deeper role rather he’s used to, playing in part of a midfield two rather than in behind the striker.

The potential arrival of Palhinha could change such a situation, handing the side the needed ball-winning option that’s been desperately needed over recent months.

The 29-year-old, who’s been labelled “incredible” by Squawka Sport, averaged 1.7 tackles per 90 in the Bundesliga, winning 70% of the tackles he entered – showcasing his ability to regain possession.

Games played

17

Minutes played

667

Pass accuracy

93%

Progressive passes

4.7

Tackles won

1.7

Tackle success

70%

Duels won

7.1

His talents have also been reflected in his tally of 7.1 duels won per 90, 2.7 of which have been aerially, demonstrating the commanding presence he possesses without the ball.

However, he’d also completed 93% of the passes he’s attempted, making 4.7 progressive passes per 90, handing Bruno the ammunition to improve his own tallies should he move to Old Trafford.

Their time playing together at national level could certainly help the club in their quest, with the pair having the opportunity to star together on a regular basis.

A loan move would help provide an immediate improvement on the current situation, with such a signing potentially playing a huge role in their future success under Amorim this campaign.

A better move than Mbeumo: Wilcox opens talks to sign £40m star for Man Utd

Manchester United have made a move to land a star who’d be a better signing than Bryan Mbeumo.

2 ByEthan Lamb Jun 19, 2025

Chelsea’s prospering Cobham academy has birthed a plethora of outstanding talents over the last decade, which has both saved on transfer fees and brought in hundreds of millions of pounds to the Stamford Bridge coffers.

Chelsea poaching world football's brightest young starlets

However, while the west Londoners are famed for their ability to nuture top-quality prospects, BlueCo have not been shy when it comes to poaching world football’s most elite rising stars from elsewhere.

Earlier this year, Chelsea sealed a double-deal for Geovany Quenda (18) and Dario Essugo (20), with the latter officially announced as a new Blue earlier this week and eligible to play at the Club World Cup later this month.

In the short-term, Essugo is viewed as a natural back-up option to Moises Caicedo, with his ball-winning skills and athleticism set to be a real asset to Chelsea (Ben Jacobs).

This comes amid their £30 million deal for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, who is debatably England’s most exciting young striker, especially after a productive season at Portman Road where he bagged 12 Premier League goals for an otherwise dismal side.

Ipswich Town 2-0 Chelsea

8.08

Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich Town

8.05

Ipswich Town 2-2 Aston Villa

8.04

Ipswich Town 1-2 Southampton

7.83

Fulham 2-2 Ipswich Town

7.55

via WhoScored

BlueCo’s transfer policy of signing younger players has been evident since their takeover in 2022, with Chelsea fielding the youngest team in Premier League history for a single campaign by average age.

The youthful nature of Enzo Maresca’s squad has prompted calls for Chelsea to bring in more experienced players to help balance out the team, and this could be imperative considering they’ll be a Champions League team next season.

However, the abundance of talent in their set-up is something to be greatly admired, and Brazilian starlet Estevao arrives in London this summer with a fearsome reputation.

Chelsea completed a deal for the 18-year-old last year, and he will fully link up with Maresca’s squad after their participation in the CWC.

Willian says Estevao could be Chelsea's own Lamine Yamal

Speaking to ESPN Brasil, former Chelsea star Willian has lavished praise on the teenage talent. In a glowing endorsement, Willian says that Estevao could be Chelsea’s answer to Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal.

“Without a doubt, he has a lot of potential, a lot of quality,” Willian said.

“The player has the advantage of still being so young, but with great potential like Lamine Yamal, they have a similar style.

“I hope that he can be very successful here in England playing for Chelsea, he can win many titles, score a lot of goals with the Chelsea jersey, and he will help to win titles over the years.

“My advice is that he dedicate himself to the fullest. In England, football is quite different to what he is used to. When he gets here I think he needs some extra work at the club.

“I’m sure he has a very good head. There’s no need to argue about his quality.”