Tag Futebol

With the Julen Lopetegui era at West Ham United beginning this summer, the Hammers' new boss is set to race a fellow Premier League side to sign a new defender.

Hammers make moves for new defensive players

One of Lopetegui's first pieces of business as West Ham boss saw him reunite with Max Kilman. The Spaniard had made Kilman captain during his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers and a £40million deal saw the central defender make the move to the London Stadium this summer.

Related Fabrizio Romano: West Ham submit proposal to sign "outstanding” new player

He scored 19 league goals last season.

Posts ByTom Coates

Clearly not content with the arrival of Kilman, the Hammers remain linked with a number of other defensive players. Recent rumours have linked the East London outfit with a move for former Chelsea centre-back Fikayo Tomori who now plays his football in Italy with AC Milan.

Another name doing the rounds in West Ham circles is that of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The right-back is set to be shown the door at Manchester United this summer and the Hammers have been quick to enquire about a deal for the player. It is claimed that the Red Devils are willing to listen to offers for the 26-year-old meaning it could be a good opportunity for the Hammers to strike a deal.

With more defensive reinforcements high on the Hammers' list of priorities, it appears that the club are now interested in a highly-rated full-back from Europe.

West Ham explore deal for Bayern Munich defender

As first reported on the X account of Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, West Ham are interested in a deal for Bayern Munich defender Noussair Mazraoui. The report claims that the first "concrete talks" have taken place between the two parties with Manchester United also working on a deal for the Moroccan.

Plettenberg states that Mazraoui is at the top of the Hammers' list of targets for this summer and that a fee in the region of €15million to €20million (£12.5million to £16.8million) could be required to tempt the defender away from Bavaria.

With Mazraoui currently commanding a weekly wage of £130,000-a-week, it may be in Bayern's best interest to get the right back off their books so that they can fund new signings this summer.

Since arriving from Ajax in 2022, the 26-year-old has struggled for consistent minutes with Bayern, making just 19 Bundesliga appearances last season. Despite this, Mazraoui still stood out as a consistent defender with a useful attacking edge.

Noussair Mazraoui Bundesliga stats 2023/24

Total per 90

Rank vs fullbacks in comparable competitions

Assists

0.23

85th percentile

Pass completion %

88.3%

97th percentile

Progressive passes

7.74

98th percentile

Interceptions

1.50

91st percentile

Aerials won

1.43

83rd percentile

With Ben Johnson already departing the club at the expiration of his contract, the Hammers could be looking a little light on right backs going into next season. Additionally, current starter Vladimir Coufal is attracting interest from abroad meaning that Lopetegui could soon be left without a senior player in this position.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Regardless of their need to replace outgoing right-backs, Mazraoui could be an excellent addition to West Ham's side going into next season.

A "quietly effective" Tottenham star has been praised for "flying under the radar" this season, as Ange Postecoglou's side also take a gigantic stride towards potential Champions League qualification.

Tottenham thrash Aston Villa 4-0

On Sunday, the Lilywhites sealed a major boost in their quest to seal a top four finish, putting European rivals Aston Villa to the sword in their own backyard.

Related Fabrizio Romano says midfielder will sign imminent new Tottenham contract

The Lilywhites are set to tie him down this week.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini

Postecoglou's men were forced to battle hard in the first half, with neither side really dominating proceedings as Spurs went into the second period with it all to play for.

However, it was the north London travellers who eventually seized that game by the scruff of its neck. Two quick-fire goals right after the restart from James Maddison and Brennan Johnson, both from swift counter-attacks handed Tottenham total control of the contest.

Tottenham's best performers against Aston Villa

Match Rating (via WhoScored)

Son Heung-min

9.4

Brennan Johnson

8.2

Cristian Romero

7.9

Destiny Udogie

7.8

Guglielmo Vicario

7.6

It was easy work for Spurs from that point onwards, especially after Villa captain John McGinn was sent off midway through the half. Son Heung-min and Timo Werner rounded off a memorable afternoon in added time, with this 4-0 win potentially proving a season-defining one.

"That was the message at half-time — just persevere, stay calm, play our football, maintain our intensity," said Postecoglou after Tottenham's win over Villa.

"And we did, we got off to a flier and then the quality of our football was excellent to see out the game. I said before the game that I still think there's a significant part of the season to go. There's still 11 games for us anyway. There's so many challenging games and every game will have meaning between now and the end of the year. Not just for us, for every team.

"If we had lost today, I don't think that would have discounted us from whatever other people put on as targets for us. I've been consistently saying what's important for me is our growth as a team and I thought we saw that today. It was another positive step forward."

Spurs now prepare for a crucial fixture list ahead, but defender Ryan Sessegnon will be out for rest of the season and unable to contribute. Certain members of Postecoglou's squad will be far more important in the run-in, though, like winger Dejan Kulusevski.

Kulusevski praised for "flying under the radar" at Tottenham

Speaking to Tottenham News, pundit John Wenham has heaped praise on Kulusevski for "flying under the radar" this season.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“Kulusevski is flying under the radar a bit, but he is having a quietly effective season. His goal against Wolves was his sixth in the Premier League this year, which is already triple the total of two he got across the entire 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

“He’s really improved his output. He’s normally the player who gets the assist for the assist, but he is scoring more now, which is good to see.”

The Sweden international has been a mainstay for Postecoglou, scoring six goals and bagging three assists in 25 league appearances. His good form lately will be a boost for Spurs, as their popular head coach looks to round off an excellent debut campaign with European qualification.

Following transfer reports filtering through over the past few weeks, it's becoming clear that Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe seeks new creativity to deploy into the midfield.

The Magpies have bolstered considerably over the past few years and are now among Europe's elite, but there is ample room for improvement and a certain Bundesliga phenomenon might just have been earmarked for transfer.

Are Newcastle interested in Jamal Musiala?

According to 90min, Newcastle are among the growing list of suitors for Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala, with the 20-year-old among the most coveted commodities in football at present.

Howe and co will face competition from the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona, but given the club's affluence and early success in the Champions League there is every possibility that an enticing package could be presented.

It is stressed that Bayern are pushing to reward their starlet with a new, improved contract, and that there is belief that such will be achieved, but that will not dissuade interested parties from pushing for his signature.

How good is Jamal Musiala?

Musiala joined German giants Bayern from Chelsea's academy aged 16, but has since posted 32 goals and 25 assists from 133 senior outings for his outfit.

Praised as a player of “exceptional” quality by former Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn, £130m-rated Musiala is dynamic, artful and intelligent, with an innate ease in his dribbling and versatility that allows him to prosper across a wealth of attacking positions.

A creative menace, he is integral to the fluidity that allows strikers such as Harry Kane to receive a reliable flow of support, and he would rival Newcastle stars of Kieran Trippier's ilk as St. James' Park's most inventive creators with a move.

Trippier is one of the most creative full-backs across world football, ranking among the top 2% for assists, the top 1% for shot-creating actions and the top 2% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

In fact, his fertile imagination and ball-playing prowess allows him to surpass many players of notable creative standing, with Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes, Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka all yielding less frequent rates.

Selected PL Players: Assist Rate

Player

Assist rate

Kieran Trippier

0.32

Trent Alexander-Arnold

0.31

Bukayo Saka

0.30

Bruno Fernandes

0.27

Andy Robertson

0.23

For Musiala to surpass each and every one of those established Premier League phenoms is most impressive, and while some might argue that he plays in a division of ostensibly lesser quality in the Bundesliga, he is 20 and headed right for the top.

Indeed, the prodigious German ranks among the top 10% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues for assists, the top 2% for pass completion, the top 1% for successful take-ons and the top 16% for progressive passes per 90.

The £83k-per-week gem's 0.31 rate of assisting does not quite surpass Trippier's but it does put him on par with Alexander-Arnold and above the likes of Saka and Fernandes.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Saka, in particular, has been in fine fettle this season and has posted five goals and assists apiece across ten outings, with the 30-cap England international earning praise for his "ruthless" presence that has now placed him in world-class conversation.

Musiala has been hailed as a "future Ballon d'Or winner" by Bavarian teammate Alphonso Davies, and it's clear to see why after oozing such age-belying panache.

Germany endured a miserable tournament in Qatar last year, but the coruscating bright spark was undoubtedly Musiala, who completed 12 dribbles against Costa Rica (the most ever for a teenager at the World Cup) and earned an assist against Spain.

If Newcastle truly do see an avenue to pursue regarding this talent's signature, then no punches must be pulled in securing his services; Musiala would dominate at the heart of Newcastle's exploits for many years to come.

Aston Villa are keen to strike a deal for former Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer, according to reliable reports.

Where is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain now?

Having made 146 senior appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side since joining from Arsenal back in 2017, the 29-year-old left the club at the end of last season upon the expiration of his contract meaning that he is now a free agent on the market and is looking to be snapped up to embark on the next stage of his career.

Back in June, England’s ex-international was first identified as a target by NSWE as a result of Unai Emery admiring his “versatility, dynamism and ability to create and score goals”, as per a report from Football Insider, and he’s not the first player to be recruited for the cost of nothing.

The Midlands outfit earlier in the window secured the services of Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans for free, followed by the big-money arrivals of Villarreal’s Pau Torres and Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby, and if the following update is to be believed, the top-flight veteran could be the fourth fresh face soon walking through the doors at Villa Park.

Are Aston Villa signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain?

According to Sky Sports, Aston Villa and Brentford are both “interested” in signing Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League campaign. Anfield’s former star also has “offers” on the table from unnamed clubs in the MLS, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, but it’s stated that his “preferred option” is to remain in England having “turned down lucrative proposals” from overseas.

Therefore, this is a huge deciding factor that chiefs could take advantage of if they were to table him an offer over the summer.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has a track record of success at the highest level having secured 12 pieces of silverware throughout his career, including the Premier League and Champions League titles, so he knows what it takes to compete and be successful, and journalist Josh Bunting has already backed him to complete a move to Aston Villa. Taking to Twitter, he stated:

“Keep him fit and I really feel Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can excel at Aston Villa, free transfer so no real risk factor attached to it with his injury problems but stays fit and he adds depth into their midfield, very underrated in terms of being a ball carrier from deep.”

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

The Colossal Sports Management client, who has won 11 out of 13 games against Villa, also racked up 33 goal contributions (18 goals and 15 assists) in 146 senior outings for Liverpool so not only does he have an eye for positively impacting the offensive action in the final third himself, he also holds a desire to create chances for his fellow teammates around him.

Finally, Oxlade-Chamberlain would provide Emery with wonderful versatility having operated in a remarkable ten different positions since first bursting onto the professional scene, including everywhere across the midfield and the frontline, so should he put pen to paper in the weeks ahead, it could be a shrewd coup.

Tottenham Hotspur appointing Julian Nagelsmann would be "exciting", but there are likely to be a number of clubs looking at him this summer, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Will Julian Nagelsmann join Tottenham?

There have been conflicting reports about whether Nagelsmann would be willing to take the Tottenham job, with journalist Dean Jones claiming the manager has always viewed the club as "solid" and "a perfect place to build a platform", indicating he would be interested.

Football Insider report that the German is one of the leading candidates to take the job but is fearful about taking over at Spurs, believing it could "damage" his career if he were to accept the role, and being able to entice him is currently seen as a long shot.

Another issue is the interest in the former Bayern boss from elsewhere, as Chelsea are already said to have made contact with him about taking over at Stamford Bridge, now viewing him as their number one target to replace Graham Potter.

Not only are the Blues eyeing the 35-year-old, but O'Rourke has recently informed GiveMeSport that a number of clubs could target him in the summer, which makes the pursuit by Tottenham, and by extension chairman Daniel Levy, even more difficult. The journalist said:

"He's a very innovative young coach, a lot of hallmarks to Mauricio Pochettino probably in style of football. I think he'd be an exciting appointment for Tottenham if they were to get him, but I'm sure there'll be a lot of clubs maybe in the summer looking at Nagelsmann's availability."

Would Julian Nagelsmann be a good appointment for Tottenham?

In many ways, it appeared to be a bizarre decision from Bayern to part ways with the young coach, as he left them in a very strong position to compete for the Bundesliga title, while they are also through to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Journalist Alex Mitton has lauded the tactician, who mainly favours a 4-2-3-1 system, claiming he plays "exciting" football and "would be a fantastic manager for Spurs".

Given Bayern's dominance in Germany, it is perhaps to be expected that he won three trophies during his time with the club, but he has also proven he is capable of building teams, leading RB Leipzig to the semi-final of the 2019-20 Champions League.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Nagelsmann has no experience in English football, but he is an exciting young manager who has already enjoyed a great deal of success in the game, and his brand of football is sure to entertain fans.

Newcastle United are yet to make a senior addition to their first-team squad in the January transfer window, with a week left to go before it slams shut.

The only incoming piece of business done by the club so far was the signing of 18-year-old winger Garang Kuol from Australian side Central Coast.

Kuol has since gone out on loan to Hearts and this suggests that the club see him as a player for the future, rather than someone who can have an immediate impact in the Premier League.

Another signing Eddie Howe could strike gold with in the future is Sunderland central midfielder Chris Rigg, who is a reported target for the club – along with Manchester United.

Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie recently told GIVEMESPORT that the midfielder is a Newcastle supporter and that the gem “wants” to play for the club.

Howe must now push Ashworth to get a deal over the line for the talented 15-year-old as the gem could be a future star, like Kuol, for the club further down the line.

The Toon head coach could bring the youngster in and strike gold by helping him to fulfill the potential that he has displayed at youth level for Sunderland.

Despite not turning 16 until June, Rigg has already captained England at under-16 level and been called up by the under-17’s. He has also made his senior debut after playing in the FA Cup earlier this month – featuring in nine minutes as a substitute.

Black Cats boss Tony Mowbray hailed the gem prior to that match, saying:

“He’s not a big, strong, physical, guy – he’s quite slight – but he has a wonderful left foot and he is an incredibly competitive animal. I’ve seen him for 20-30 minutes in an U21 game against Southampton, and his potential looks enormous to me.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“He looks like a footballer who can play with the silkiness with his left foot, and play lovely passes, but he also looks like a tiger in that he wants to tackle everyone, and that’s not a bad mix for a midfielder.”

These quotes from the experienced manager highlight the quality that Rigg has shown in training, in spite of his age, and suggest that there is a lot of scope for the gem to develop in the future.

The 15-year-old, who has provided two goals and four assists in 12 under-18 Premier League matches for Sunderland, is an extremely promising young talent and Howe must swoop to sign the Newcastle boyhood fan as he could be a future star for the club – which would represent the Magpies striking gold with the dynamo.

Tottenham are ready to offload a member of Thomas Frank’s squad in January following a behind-the-scenes incident, according to a new report.

Players who could leave Spurs in January

Spurs are poised for an intriguing January transfer window, and not just in terms of incomings.

Among the few players who could leave next month, Mathys Tel has emerged as a credible candidate for the exit door with Roma named as an interested suitor.

The 20-year-old, signed permanently from Bayern Munich for £30 million last summer, has reportedly expressed unhappiness with his limited opportunities at Spurs — managing just 409 minutes across 14 total appearances this season.

His exclusion from the Champions League squad earlier this term signaled his peripheral status under Frank, and a temporary switch to Serie A is probable even if Tel has since been recalled to the European fold to replace Dominic Solanke.

Richarlison’s long-term future also remains uncertain despite scoring seven goals so far this term, including two goal of the season contenders against Burnley and Arsenal respectively.

Related Tottenham handed pitiful Solanke injury update with new timeline shared

The Englishman hasn’t featured since Man City in August.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini

Tottenham are preparing to receive offers from Brazil, Saudi Arabia and potentially Everton — his former club where he enjoyed considerably greater success.

However, media sources indicate Spurs will reject loan proposals and only entertain a permanent sale.

The Brazilian’s inconsistency throughout his Tottenham career, just 39 goal contributions since joining in 2022 for £60 million, has frustrated sections of supporters.

With his contract expiring in 2027, January represents Tottenham’s optimal window to recoup a reasonable fee before his value diminishes.

Frank apparently views Richarlison as an ‘expendable’ member of his squad, even if he selects the 28-year-old regularly, with Solanke and Kolo Muani likely to be his first choices once the former at last returns to full fitness.

There is also the matter of Yves Bissouma, who’s already fallen foul with Frank after disciplinary issues and is yet to make a single competitive appearance under the Dane’s tutelage.

The Mali international has suffered injuries this campaign which have limited his availability, but according to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Spurs have seen enough.

Tottenham decide to sell Yves Bissouma in January

Recent footage emerged showing the 29-year-old midfielder allegedly inhaling nitrous oxide in early November, despite being sidelined through injury at the time.

This marks the second such incident involving Bissouma, who was previously suspended by the club in August after similar footage surfaced.

The midfielder issued a public apology then, acknowledging a “severe lack of judgment” and recognizing the health risks involved, but his latest alleged breach has now exhausted the club’s patience.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s visit of Slavia Prague in the Champions League, Frank said: “It’s an internal matter that we are dealing with at the moment and when we have dealt with that, then I will comment on it.”

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Now, Crook reports that Tottenham are ready to sell Bissouma in January following this incident, which has effectively sealed his fate in north London.

Bissouma earns over £55,000-per-week, but has now become completely surplus to requirements under Frank.

The former Brighton star, who played a key role in Spurs’ Europa League final win last term, was excluded from Tottenham’s 22-man Champions League squad and subsequently underwent ankle surgery in October.

Bissouma’s contract expires at the end of the season, but Tottenham do hold an option to extend it by another year, according to The Mail.

As per talkSPORT again, Galatasaray remain interested in securing his signature after a proposed summer transfer collapsed. The Turkish champions nearly signed Bissouma before the deal fell through, and they are prepared to revive their pursuit next year.

After triggering Morgan Gibbs-White’s release clause nearly two weeks ago, almost every Tottenham Hotspur fan would’ve expected a deal to be completed by now.

However, when dealing with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, a deal was never going to be straightforward, but no one could’ve predicted what has happened since.

The Reds have claimed that Thomas Frank’s side made an illegal approach for his signature, resulting in his secret release clause now becoming public.

It’s unclear whether Forest are set to report the club over a potential deal, with all contact between the two sides now ceased as a result of the approach that was made for his signature.

Given the recent delay in a move for the England international, other targets are subsequently being considered in North London, with multiple names entering the mix in the past few days.

The latest on Spurs’ hunt for new signings this summer

Ardon Jashari has emerged as a surprise option for Spurs in the midfield department as of late, with the Swiss international set to depart Club Brugge this summer.

The Belgian outfit are said to be demanding a fee in the region of £32m for his signature this window, but could face stiff competition from Italian side AC Milan for his signature.

However, another name has entered the mix, with Frank’s side now turning their attention to a deal to sign Atlético Madrid star Conor Gallagher, according to TBR Football.

The report claims that the Lilywhites have made contact with the Spanish outfit over a potential move for the 25-year-old midfielder during the summer window.

It also states they could be open to offloading the Englishman should they receive an acceptable offer after paying £33m for his signature 12 months ago.

Why Spurs’ latest target would be an upgrade on Sarr

Pape Matar Sarr was a key member of Spurs’ midfield department during the 2024/25 campaign, ending the season with a staggering 55 appearances across all competitions.

The Senegalese international has already made over 100 appearances for the Lilywhites after making his debut for the club back in the 2022/23 season.

He has the potential to become a club legend in North London should he continue on such a trajectory, having time to develop further given his tender age of just 22.

Such a deal to land him a couple of years ago reflects the sensational business the hierarchy have conducted in recent years, now looking a bargain given his £14.6m transfer fee.

However, he may struggle to keep hold of his starting role in the 2025/26 campaign should they complete a deal for Gallagher, with the Englishman having the potential to replace him in the side.

When comparing their stats from the recent season, the Atlético star managed to better him in various areas, highlighting how much of a brilliant addition he would be to Frank’s side this summer.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Gallagher, who’s been labelled a “monster” by one analyst, registered more combined goals and assists, offering the side an added goalscoring threat despite his deep-lying role.

How Gallagher & Sarr compare in the 2024/25 campaign

Statistics (per 90)

Gallagher

Sarr

Games played

32

36

Goals & assists

6

5

Pass accuracy

87%

86%

Passes into the opposition box

0.8

0.5

Tackles won

1.8

1.6

Tackle success rate

54%

48%

Take-on success

41%

36%

Recoveries made

5.9

5.4

Stats via FBref

He also completed more of the passes he attempted, with more of which going into the final third, showcasing the talent he possesses with the ball at his feet.

However, his defensive talents are just as impressive, winning more tackles per 90 and achieving a higher success rate in regaining possession – potentially being the perfect box-to-box option in Frank’s midfield department.

Whilst it’s unclear how much the LaLiga outfit will be demanding for his services this summer, it’s evident that he would be an upgrade on the options currently at the manager’s disposal.

If he can replicate such form in North London, it would be a fantastic piece of business, subsequently allowing the club to move past the current saga over a deal for Gibbs-White.

Related Their own Ekitike: Spurs eyeing move for Arsenal's "golden" striker target

The prolific gem could be something really special at Spurs.

Posts 1 ByJack Salveson Holmes

Everton are enjoying life under David Moyes and look to have a new priority transfer target on their mind ahead of the upcoming summer window, per a report.

Everton looking to make a mark in the summer window

With the move to Bramley Moore Dock and a solid on-field product making life as an Everton fan rather fun right now, a strong summer window could elevate optimism to peak levels in recent years ahead of next campaign.

David Moyes knows transfer activities in the off-season will take the form of a rebuild, where he also has to decide who will remain from his current crop of stars. However, The Friedkin Group’s promise of financial backing may see some statement new arrivals on Merseyside.

According to reports, West Bromwich Albion man Tom Fellows and Juventus star Federico Gatti have emerged as early Everton targets, which may come as the result of several experienced stars coming to the end of their road at Goodison Park.

Sunderland’s Chris Rigg is also on the Toffees’ radar amid rival interest from Tottenham Hotspur, who are believed to have put a £38 million bid forward for the 17-year-old.

Ultimately, Moyes has plenty to stew over in his long-term pursuit of Premier League stability. There has been little clarity on the future of 13 Everton players with the summer now approaching; that is before you even touch the sides on potential ins and outs.

Everton’s key summer window decisions – who stays and who goes?

Carlos Alcaraz

On loan with mandatory purchase option after set minutes

Armando Broja

On loan with option to buy

Jesper Lindstrom

On loan with option to buy

Jack Harrison

On loan

Orel Mangala

On loan with option to buy

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Out of contract at the end of the season

Abdoulaye Doucoure

Out of contract at the end of the season

Idrissa Gana Gueye

Out of contract at the end of the season

Asmir Begovic

Out of contract at the end of the season

Michael Keane

Out of contract at the end of the season

Joao Virginia

Out of contract at the end of the season

Ashley Young

Out of contract at the end of the season

Seamus Coleman

Out of contract at the end of the season

Now, the Toffees’ transfer path could be about to become a little clearer, with a new priority target identified to bolster the defensive ranks before 2025/26.

Everton view Burnley's Maxime Esteve as priority defensive target

According to Foot Mercato, Burnley’s Maxime Esteve has emerged as a priority target for Everton following his robust defensive displays at Turf Moor this campaign. Jarrad Branthwaite has been heavily linked with a move elsewhere, which could pave the way for Moyes to firm up his initial admiration for the £30-million rated star.

Related Everton must rue losing "special" star worth even more than Branthwaite

The former Everton star left Goodison Park in acrimonious circumstances.

Posts ByAngus Sinclair

The Clarets have a fighting chance of claiming promotion and Esteve has played 3337 of their 3420 league minutes in the Sky Bet Championship, equating to 98%. Within his 40 appearances across all competitions, the 23-year-old has scored once. More importantly, he is part of Europe’s most solid backline, conceding on just 11 occasions.

FootballFanCast General: Subscribe and never miss what matters Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Labelled “unbelievable” by manager Scott Parker, Esteve is also attracting interest from the likes of West Ham United and AC Milan due to his heroic exploits.

Now, Everton face the challenge of convincing the former France Under-21 international to opt for them once the window opens. Should Burnley fail to return to the Premier League, they could be in with a fighting chance of winning the race.

Potentially splashing the cash in 2025, Celtic are reportedly interested in signing a Premier League winner who will be granted an exit away from his current club when the chance arrives.

Celtic transfer news

The Bhoys have enjoyed quite the start to the campaign, sitting top of the Scottish Premiership once again, but will be well aware of just how important it is to continue that run after the international break. Squaring off against Hearts in the league before then playing host to Club Brugge in Europe, it could be quite the week for Brendan Rodgers’ side if they manage to pick up where they left off.

Meanwhile, away from the action, the transfer rumours have been coming thick and fast. The in-form Nicolas Kuhn is already receiving links to the Premier League in what could worry the Scottish champions, but they’re also eyeing up some incomings of their own in the form of talented twins Cole and Dylan Williams.

The young duo are options for the future and could one day join one other target at the heart of Rodgers’ side. According to Caught Offside, Celtic are interested in signing James McAtee, who will be allowed to leave Manchester City when the chance arrives.

The deal won’t be easy and it will not be cheap, however. In fact, if Celtic want to sign McAtee, then they will have to spend a club-record of more than £20m – eclipsing their current record of £14m, which they spent to sign Jota in 2022. (Transfermarkt)

Related "Superb" 24 y/o Celtic player basically admits he could be sold next summer

He is currently out on loan for the season.

Posts ByHenry Jackson

With West Ham United, Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Leicester City all reportedly among the other clubs eyeing a move to sign the Manchester City midfielder, meanwhile, it’s fair to say that Celtic face quite the competition for his signature.

"Talented" McAtee can become next Cole Palmer

Of course, the last big academy graduate to leave Manchester City was none other than Cole Palmer, who has gone on to become one of the best players in the Premier League at Chelsea. He remains City’s biggest regrets but they may not have learned from their mistake, given their willingness to let McAtee depart. Amid a transitional period, the attacking midfielder may well follow in Palmer’s footsteps in what could even benefit Celtic.

If the Bhoys were to land a player set for a similar rise to Palmer then it would be a game-changer on the European stage and only enhance their dominance in the Scottish Premiership. If the praise of Football Talent Scout’s Jacek Kulig is anything to go by too, then the 22-year-old is certainly one to watch.

The reported £20m+ transfer fee could be the big stumbling block for Celtic, but if the likes of Kuhn depart in the summer then they may yet have the chance to pursue a player of McAtee’s calibre.