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Wolverhampton Wanderers are vying for the signature of a “decisive” forward this summer, and he will now be available for half the original price due to a special clause, according to a report.

Wolves bracing for summer departures

Wolves find themselves in the midst of a relegation battle, having been on a very poor run of form in the Premier League prior to the victory against Aston Villa last time out, although they have had some extremely tough fixtures.

Any relegated side will always find it tough to hold on to their best players, and if the Old Gold do drop back down to the Championship for the first time since 2018, they may be forced to cash-in.

However, the same could apply even if they avoid the drop, given that some top clubs are queuing up for Matheus Cunha, with the likes of Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United all being linked with moves in recent times.

Wolves considering move to sign £8m Munetsi partner after January approach

They’ve turned their attention towards the summer…

By
Tom Cunningham

Feb 5, 2025

Of course, Vitor Pereira will be hoping to keep hold of Cunha, given just how vital a player the forward has been this season, scoring 11 goals in the Premier League.

However, if the 25-year-old does move on, Pereira will have to bring in some new attacking options, and a report from SportBILD (via Sport Witness) has now revealed Wolves are among the clubs competing to sign Hertha BSC’s Ibrahim Maza.

There is set to be fierce competition for Maza’s signature, however, with seven Premier League clubs named as potential suitors, including Newcastle United and Manchester City.

Interestingly, Hertha were keen to hold out for a fee of €20m (£16.7m) in the January transfer window, but a clause in the 19-year-old’s contract means the asking price is set to halve, indicating he could be available for around £8m, with an exit likely.

Maza impressing in the Bundesliga II

The Algerian has emerged as a key player for Hertha in the second tier of German football this season, picking up five goals and four assists in 21 games.

With an average match rating of 7.10, the youngster is ranked as the second-best performing player in the squad, so it is little wonder he has started to attract the attention of Premier League clubs.

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson has stated he believes the number 10 is capable of playing for a top club, while also providing an overview of his key strengths.

As such, if Wolves manage to avoid the drop, they should undoubtedly make an approach for Maza, especially considering he will now be available for a lower fee.

Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a heartfelt message to Luka Modric following confirmation that the veteran Croatian will be leaving Real Madrid.

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• Ballon d'Or winner leaving the Bernabeu
• Unclear what future holds at age of 39
• CR7 among those to salute Croatian icon

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  After 13 years at Santiago Bernabeu, Ballon d’Or winner Modric has announced that he will be bidding farewell to the Spanish capital when reaching the end of his contract. At 39 years of age, it remains to be seen what the future has in store for him.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ronaldo has shown that it is possible to play on beyond a 40th birthday, and for impressive individual standards to be maintained, with there no indication that Modric is preparing to hang up his boots.

• WHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO SAID

  Ronaldo is waiting to see what Modric decides to do next, with the Portuguese superstar among those to have responded to an emotional message that was posted on social media. CR7 said: "Thanks for everything, Luka It was an honor to share so many moments with you at the club. Wishing you all the best in what’s to come!"

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Ronaldo spent six years playing alongside Modric in Madrid between 2012 and 2018. They won 15 major trophies together, including the Liga title and four Champions League crowns. CR7 is currently in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr, but is seeing a new challenge of his own speculated on as his record-breaking contract in the Middle East runs down.

Liverpool’s Premier League title charge is turning into a bit of a procession.

Arne Slot’s side proved too much for Newcastle United on Wednesday evening, rocked before the match following an injury to clinical gunman Alexander Isak.

Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister did the job for the high-flying table-toppers, who have now established a 13-point lead over Arsenal, who have a game in hand but ceded further territory following a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest.

He didn’t get his name on the scoresheet – a shock to the Merseyside masses, no doubt – but Mohamed Salah was excellent once again, earning another assist in this incredible, once-in-a-generation seasonal effort.

Mohamed Salah's performance vs Newcastle

Salah’s remarkable performances have been the central part of Liverpool’s campaign, with the 32-year-old’s assist against Newcastle taking his overall tally to 30 goals and 22 assists from 39 matches in Slot’s system.

Lewis Hall deserves credit for largely keeping the Egpyt sensation quiet, with Salah only completing one of his 11 attempted dribbles, but as has been the unbreakable theme of the term, he found his moment, the right moment, and threaded a crisp cross-box pass into Mac Allister’s feet, whose finish was strong and true.

That’s 17 assists from 28 Premier League games for Salah, four more away from shredding Thierry Henry’s long-standing record of 20 in a single campaign.

Liverpool are playing with a fervour and unwavering belief that has proved too much for their title rivals, with so many players stepping up to aid Salah and prove that this is a squad of many important parts.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast’s Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

Slot's new "unstoppable" superstar

He’s on fire. Indeed, Szoboszlai is riding a red-hot streak of form, with his second goal in four days hardly telling the full story. “Unstoppable recently” – as says Fabrizio Romano – the Hungarian is coming into his own as the charged lifeforce of Slot’s engine.

Playing a more conventional attacking midfield role after operating in a fluid centre-forward position at the Etihad, Szoboszlai packed a powerful punch and will hunger for the sequel in two-and-a-half weeks, with Newcastle meeting Liverpool again in the Carabao Cup final.

As per Sofascore, he won eight of his ten contested duels, beating off his opponents with ease, while leaping in with five tackles, recovering eight balls (a match-best) and creating two key passes for his teammates in an all-encompassing masterclass.

The Liverpool Echo were bedazzled by the 23-year-old’s effort, handing him a well-earned 9/10 match rating, hailing his unrelenting energy and his commitment in defensive phases.

To have produced such a display only days after exhausting his gas tank and literally collapsing to the turf after putting Man City to the sword, Szoboszlai has become an essential figure in Liverpool’s make-up after ebbing and flowing last season, his first in Liverpool, brought in by Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp built this team, but Slot has refurnished the German’s house with his own vision, and oh how it’s working.

There’s plenty of football still to play. Ten Premier League fixtures remain; Liverpool will look to retain their Carabao Cup title and challenge for Europe’s prized trophy too. Paris Saint-Germain are up next, with the Reds afforded a rest given this coming weekend brings FA Cup action.

Szoboszlai is the man of the moment right now, but the exciting thing about Slot’s Liverpool is so many stars can rise to the occasion, steal the headlines.

It is a team comprised of champions-in-waiting.

He's outscoring Nunez: Liverpool must rue axing Klopp's irreplaceable star

This Champions League winner has been in fine fettle this season.

By
Angus Sinclair

Feb 25, 2025

Ruben Amorim insists that Manchester United don't require a break after a gruelling campaign as they embark on a post-season tour in Malaysia.

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• Man Utd were awful in the Premier League
• No rest for the team as they have headed to Asia
• Will play two matches in Malaysia & Hong Kong

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  In a bold move that has raised eyebrows among fans, the club has swiftly headed on a post-season tour across Asia, beginning just days after the final whistle of their Premier League season. The tour kicks off on May 28 with a clash against an ASEAN All Stars team at the colossal Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, which can host over 80,000 fans. Barely pausing to catch their breath, United will then jet to Hong Kong for a second friendly encounter, scheduled for May 30 at the 40,000-capacity Hong Kong Stadium.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  This gruelling schedule follows their last domestic match, a home fixture against Aston Villa on May 25, offering minimal downtime before embarking on a long-haul journey. However, Amorim remains undaunted and is excited to play in front of Asian fans in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.

• WHAT AMORIM SAID

  Facing a sea of reporters once again on the first leg of their Asian tour, Amorim said: “It was important to finish the season, we needed to close that chapter. I closed that chapter, I’m excited, I’m nervous, I want to work towards the next season. I don’t have that feeling to disconnect. I had the feeling to close the season, but now it’s a new season. I don’t need rest.”

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  MAN UTD'S POST-SEASON & PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE

  DATE	FIXTURE	LOCATION
  May 28	Man Utd vs ASEAN All Stars	Bukit Jalil Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
  May 30	Man Utd vs Hong Kong, China	Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong
  July 19	Man Utd vs Leeds United	Stockholm, Sweden
  July 26	Man Utd vs West Ham	New Jersey, USA
  July 30	Man Utd vs Bournemouth	Chicago, USA
  August 3	Man Utd vs Everton	Atlanta, USA

A quick Crystal Palace gem is planning to leave Selhurst Park this summer after rejecting a new contract offer from the Eagles.

Crystal Palace push for Wembley as Freedman prepares for summer

Oliver Glasner’s side may well be set for an uneventful end to the Premier League season, however, Palace have their eyes on Wembley in the FA Cup.

After defeating Millwall last weekend, the Eagles have been drawn against Fulham in the quarter-finals, looking to make the last four and reach Wembley.

However, away from the pitch, sporting director Dougie Freedman appears to be working on potential signings ahead of the 2025/26 season.

One player who has been linked with a move to Selhurst Park in recent days is Bright Osayi-Samuel of Fenerbahce. Reports have claimed that Palace have offered Osayi-Samuel a £72,500-a-week contract to return to England, with the player on course to become a free agent in the summer.

Defender Konstantinos Koulierakis of Wolfsburg is also on Palace’s radar, and there could be a number of departures in the summer.

Centre-back Marc Guehi continues to be linked with a move away, as does midfielder Adam Wharton and full-back Tyrick Mitchell. However, one exciting gem has already made his mind up on departing the club, going off a fresh update.

Crystal Palace talent rejects contract offer and is looking to leave

According to Africa Foot, relayed by Sport Witness, Crystal Palace youngster Franco Umeh-Chibueze has rejected a new contract proposal from the Eagles, with his current deal up in the summer.

It is claimed that Glasner’s decision to not hand him minutes with the senior team has convinced him to change clubs over the coming month, with FC Twente and Sporting CP being two clubs eyeing the attacker.

The 20-year-old joined Palace from Cork City in 2023, and since then, Umeh-Chibueze has made more than 30 appearances for Palace’s U21 side, scoring 12 goals in the process.

Crystal Palace emerge as shock contenders to sign £42m Real Madrid target

He’s a wanted man…

By
Tom Cunningham

Mar 5, 2025

He’s also featured on the bench in the Premier League on seven occasions during the current campaign and twice in the EFL Cup, however, he is yet to make his senior debut.

Academy director Gary Issott hailed Umeh-Chibueze’s at the time of his arrival, naming his “blistering pace” as a key attribute. “Franco is a tall, exciting, attacking player with blistering pace and a strong left-foot. For him to be in and around the first-team at Cork at such a young age is a major achievement. He now comes into our vibrant squad and will add competition in the attacking third of the pitch.”

Now, though, it looks as if the attacker, once labelled as the potential next Michael Olise, will look to continue his development away from Palace, and it’ll be interesting to see where he ends up ahead of the new campaign.

Chelsea have submitted a €15m offer for AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and want the deal wrapped up in time for the Club World Cup.

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• Chelsea submit €15m Maignan bid
• Blues keen on quick deal
• Milan to make final decision on France goalkeeper

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chelsea have submitted an offer worth €15 million (£12.6m) for AC Milan and France goalkeeper Mike Maignan and want a decision by the end of the Club World Cup transfer window on Tuesday, according to .

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The Blues look keen to add a new shot-stopper to Enzo Maresca's squad. The Italian mainly deployed Robert Sanchez between the sticks in the Premier League while Filip Jorgensen took the reins in the Conference League. However, bringing in Maignan, widely renowned as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, would undeniably represent an upgrade and Chelsea are keen to wrap up the deal quickly so he can play in their matches against LAFC, Flamengo and Esperance in the United States this month.

  Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream now

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Maignan kept 12 clean sheets in Serie A during the 2024-25 season but has won only two pieces of silverware since moving to San Siro in 2021 – the 2021-22 league title and the 2024 Supercoppa Italiana.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAIGNAN AND CHELSEA?

  If Chelsea do manage to complete the transfer quickly, Maignan could join recent Stamford Bridge arrival Liam Delap in making his competitive debut for the Blues in the USA. Before then, the 29-year-old is in action with France on Sunday when they take on Germany for third place in this season's Nations League.

West Ham United are now racing to sign a “special” centre-back, who’s been a key part of the best defence in Europe this season, according to a report.

West Ham keen on new defenders

Graham Potter is keen to upgrade his defensive options in his first summer transfer window since taking over as West Ham boss, with the manager looking at new additions at both full-back and centre-back.

Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters, who looks set to leave the Saints this summer, has recently emerged as a key target for Potter, with the Hammers able to sign the Englishman on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract.

Genoa’s Koni de Winter is also under consideration, with the Irons making contact to discuss a potential deal for the centre-back, but there could be stiff competition for the 22-year-old’s signature, given that Manchester United are also interested.

West Ham eye £34m ace who's open to moving as Potter plots transfer surge

Graham Potter has laid out his transfer plans at West Ham.

1

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Mar 15, 2025

Potter’s side have struggled at the back at times this season, shipping the second-highest number of goals of any club outside the Premier League relegation zone, and a new target who could help rectify their defensive issues has now entered the frame.

According to reporter Alan Nixon (via GiveMeSport), West Ham are now in the race to sign Burnley defender Maxime Esteve, having conducted scouting missions to assess the 22-year-old twice in recent weeks.

If the Clarets fail to win promotion from the Championship, the Hammers could attempt to lure Esteve away from Turf Moor, but there may be competition for his signature, with Serie A giants AC Milan and Premier League rivals Everton also in the race.

Burnley turned down a £20m offer from Tottenham Hotspur on deadline day, having set an asking price of £30m, although their demands could feasibly rise ahead of the summer, particularly if Esteve’s solid performances continue.

"Special" Esteve has been integral to Burnley's success

The Championship promotion-hopefuls are in a good position to immediately return to the Premier League, and the Frenchman has been one of their key players, featuring in all 38 of their second-tier matches this season.

Burnley’s defence has emerged as the best in Europe this season, having shipped just 11 league goals, and the centre-back has been a fundamental part of that backline, indicating he could be ready to make the step-up to the Premier League.

Lauded as “special” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, the former Montpellier man could be a fantastic signing for West Ham this summer, and they should make sure they are right at the front of the queue for his signature.

One of Manchester City’s premium January signings was midfielder Nico Gonzalez. The former Barcelona star, who is a product of the esteemed La Masia academy, made the move to the Etihad Stadium for £50m from Portuguese side FC Porto.

So far, the 23-year-old is only a short way into his Citizens career. He has only played eight times so far for Pep Guardiola’s side, starting six times in the Premier League and Champions League.

It was the latter competition in which he scored his first, and to date, only goal for City, although it was a consolation strike against Real Madrid.

Playing as a number six so far for City, Gonzalez was partly signed to help ease the blow of Rodri’s absence, who is still sidelined with injury.

Based on the statistics above, he’s done a pretty good job of covering.

The latest on Rodri's injury recovery at Man City

It has been a tough season for City on the pitch, which has not been helped by the fact that Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, a key player in the middle of the park, has been out injured. The Spaniard picked up a serious knee ligament injury against Arsenal in September and is yet to return.

However, at the start of March, there was some positive news to come out of the City camp surrounding the midfielder’s return to action. Guardiola said he was unsure if Rodri would make it back before the end of the season, but did not rule it out, saying “maybe it’s going to happen”.

Incredibly, the Spain international, who won Euro 2024 last summer, has already returned to training on grass. City’s official account posted a video on social media at the end of February of their star man sprinting and training with a ball at his feet.

So, there are encouraging signs that the Spain international will be back before too long. Even if he doesn’t play in the Premier League this season, then perhaps he will feature in the Club World Cup over the summer.

Either way, there is no doubt he has been a big miss for City. Perhaps Guardiola wishes they had kept one player at the club over the summer, who could have helped City in Rodri’s absence.

Manchester City's in-house Rodri alternative

City have plenty of exciting youngsters on their books, so finding a way to fit them all in the squad is not necessarily easy.

One of the players they loaned out in the summer was midfielder Maximo Perrone, who could have been a perfect Rodri alternative.

The 22-year-old midfielder has spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Como, managed by legendary midfielder Cesc Fabregas. Playing as a number six, Perrone has featured in 18 games this season, grabbing two assists.

He does have an eye for goal, too, as he showed in pre-season. The Argentine youngster scored for City in one of their games, slotting home from close range and showcasing his ability going forward.

Perrone has featured twice for City so far in competitive action, with both appearances coming in their treble-winning season, 2022/23. He played in the FA Cup and Premier League, before going on loan to Las Palmas the following season.

In Spain, the youngster was impressive. He completed the most progressive passes per game by a U21 player across the big five leagues in Europe, with 8.41. That is according to Wyscout via football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

This term, his numbers from FBref are also impressive. He is impressive on the ball, completing 55.69 passes per 90 minutes on average, ranking him in the top 11% of Serie A midfielders. He also averages 2.86 tackles and interceptions each game. It’s easy to see, therefore, why he’s allegedly modelled his game on one of Pep’s favourite ever players; Sergio Busquets.

Football analyst Ben Mattinson said that City should have “used Perrone to manage Rodri’s minutes”, labelling him the “ideal Rodri back-up”, which is backed up well by the stats. He is quality on the ball, which is demanded of him in Guardiola’s side and is defensively astute, too.

Looking ahead to next season, the Citizens might well look to integrate the youngster into the side, to help take the burden off Rodri and provide an excellent alternative.

Pep has struck gold on Man City wonderkid who's worth more than Echeverri

The Man City starlet is worth more than Echeverri

By
Joe Nuttall

Mar 20, 2025

Manchester City have been told how to stay ahead of Ryan Reynolds when it comes to American fandom battles with Wrexham, the NBA, NFL and MLB.

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• City have enjoyed stunning era of success
• Attracted supporters from all over the world
• Face battle to retain those & win new ones

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  An era of record-setting success at the Etihad Stadium has allowed City to expand their global fan base. Growth in that department has been most notable in the United States, where supporters are flocking to nail their colours to European masts.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  City have swept up plenty, with summer tours to North America aiding that cause, and they will be back on U.S. soil for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Ultimate glory there would endear them to more locals and a generation of followers that are looking to be inspired.

  Watch every game of the FIFA Club World Cup live on DAZNStream now

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Hollywood stars Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been ticking that box at Wrexham, with an award-winning documentary series aiding their cause, while American football, baseball and basketball continue to dominate the sporting scene Stateside.

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  WHAT SHAY GIVEN SAID

  Quizzed on how City can claim a greater share of that pie, as they compete with domestic and global rivals, Shay Given – speaking in association with – told GOAL: "You can’t get a ticket at Wrexham at the moment, it’s crazy! It brings more interest to the Premier League.

  "Going back to the World Cup in 94, you are always going to be fighting against the powerhouse sports in America. American fans are into American football, basketball, ice hockey – you can probably never change some of them.

  "Some of the younger fans can be persuaded and are influenced more by what they see. Rodri getting his hands on the Club World Cup, that might put in their mind ‘the blue of Man City, I want to wear that’. You take that through your life. The club has grown, there is no doubt about that – the clubs they have all round the world now. It’s massive now, the City Group. It was one club when I was there, now there are 14 or 15 all around the world."

Darwin Nunez could be on the way out of Liverpool this summer and has been tipped to head for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

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• Nunez has fallen out of favour at Liverpool
• Expected to move on this summer
• Al-Hilal targeting the 'biggest players'

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Arne Slot is making changes to his squad this summer with Jeremie Frimpong having already arrived at Anfield. He is expected to be joined by Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez as the Reds splash the cash. Exits are also expected before the start of the new campaign, with Nunez having been linked with Al-Hilal and Napoli.

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  Nunez is said to be open to a move to the Middle East, with Liverpool willing to sell for around €60m (£51m/$69m). Amid speculation of a transfer to Al-Hilal, chief executive Esteve Calzada has opened up on his club's transfer plans and insisted Al-Hilal are targeting the world's top stars in a bid to strengthen their squad.

• WHAT AL-HILAL CHIEF SAID

  He told BBC Sport: "We are targeting the biggest players. We are very ambitious, but we need to see hunger from the player himself and the transaction needs to work out both ways. The only thing we've been trying to remind players and agents is that yes, we are from Saudi, but we don't print notes here! My role as CEO is to make sure we run the club efficiently, so that we can have the biggest budget possible to have big players, but not at any cost. That's why sometimes we basically walk away from negotiations, because we still want players extremely keen on coming, and not only looking for the money."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NUNEZ

  Nunez made just eight Premier League starts for Liverpool last season, meaning it would be no surprise if he did move on this summer. Liverpool may be hoping for a lucrative Saudi offer to arrive but will still likely have to take a big hit on a player who cost €85 million (£72m/$98m) just two years ago.