Newcastle United are now considering a move for a £27m striker, who could be brought in to partner Alexander Isak, according to a report.
Race for Isak heating up
It is no surprise that so many clubs are keen on signing Isak this summer, given just how impressive the Swedish forward has been this season, most notably scoring against Liverpool in the EFL Cup final to help end Newcastle’s 70-year wait for a trophy.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Premier League
33
23
6
EFL Cup
6
3
0
FA Cup
2
1
0
Arsenal are now ramping up their pursuit of the striker, with a jaw-dropping £127m offer now being prepared, while he has also been identified as a dream signing for Liverpool, having left manager Arne Slot impressed at times this season.
That said, the Magpies remain in a strong negotiating position, with the 25-year-old contracted until the summer of 2028, so they may be able to retain his services beyond the end of the campaign.
Newcastle step up move for "fantastic" 28-cap star after scouting mission
The Magpies are competing with one of their rivals for his signature.
BySean Markus Clifford May 12, 2025
However, according to a report from Spain, Newcastle are now considering a move for Atletico Madrid striker Alexander Sorloth as a potential replacement for Isak, should their talisman move on this summer.
Alternatively, the report adds Sorloth could be brought in as a partner for the Sweden international, should Eddie Howe’s side secure a place in the Champions League, with the Tynesiders weighing up the possibility of forming a top-level attacking duo.
There is a belief that the Atletico forward would be able to adapt to life in the Premier League, and his qualities make him a good fit for Howe, who is looking for a strong and aerially dominant forward.
"Stellar" Sorloth impressing in La Liga
The Norwegian has not been at Atletico for long, arriving in a €32m (£27m) deal last summer, but he has certainly caught the eye during his debut campaign with the Spanish side, netting 21 goals in all competitions, including 17 in La Liga.
The 29-year-old didn’t manage to make the desired impact in the Champions League, with Atletico exiting the competition at the hands of Real Madrid, but the Spanish side should be encouraged by his first season in Spain.
Atletico Madrid's AlexanderSorlothcelebrates scoring their second goal
The Norway international ranks in the top 1% for non-penalty goals per 90 over the past year, when compared to other strikers, while also placing in the 95th percentile for aerials won, showcasing the threat he poses in the air.
Lauded as “stellar” by journalist Zach Lowy, there are signs that Sorloth could be a fantastic signing for Newcastle this summer, but it seems unlikely that Atletico would be willing to cash-in, given his exploits in his first campaign with Atletico.
Leeds United will re-enter the Premier League relieved that they won’t have to sell a load of their stars like last summer.
Indeed, there was a mass exodus away from West Yorkshire after the Whites’ heartbreaking playoff final defeat in the Championship, resulting in Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter all upping and leaving for the luxuries of a new top-flight team.
These notable departures thankfully didn’t derail Daniel Farke’s men on their way to lifting the second-tier title. Still, Leeds could be about to finally land an exciting Rutter replacement this summer.
After all, since the Frenchman’s farewell, Leeds have had to make do with some lacklustre performers in the number ten role.
Leeds in the race to sign Championship star
Farke won’t feel too confident in relying on Brenden Aaronson to come good in the Premier League, considering the American attacker has struggled at the daunting level before, scoring one goal and registering only three assists during the doomed 2022/23 campaign.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
Therefore, it’s no shock to see Leeds be linked with this entertaining number ten, with The Irish Sun now reporting that the newly promoted side have joined the intense race to snap up Middlesbrough ace Finn Azaz.
AFC Bournemouth and Crystal Palace are also named as interested onlookers, meaning Leeds’ quest to win the Irishman’s services could be tough.
But, if Farke and Co. are serious about improving their already electric attacking output ahead of Premier League football returning to Elland Road, winning the £20m-rated midfielder’s services will be deemed a top priority, particularly if he is capable of being the figure to finally fill Rutter’s void.
Why Azaz can finally replace Rutter
It might well be bizarre to say that Leeds still feel a need to replace Rutter, considering the Whites stormed to the second-tier title with 95 goals bagged.
But, whilst Aaronson would chip in with a respectable tally of nine strikes and two assists on the way to promotion being resoundingly won, the 24-year-old blows far too hot and cold compared to the regular brilliance of the ex-Whites number 24.
Rutter, despite promotion falling to the wayside towards the close of the disappointing 2023/24 season, would still manage to collect a mammoth eight goals and 16 assists in league action.
Staggeringly, Azaz would only find himself one short of eclipsing this hefty total this campaign just gone for Michael Carrick’s own failed promotion hopefuls.
Azaz’s ability to drive forward and carve teams open from the number ten spot for Boro is eerily similar to the much-loved 23-year-old during his Elland Road prime.
The hope will just be that the 6-foot-1 star can make the transition to the Premier League look smooth, but having never been given a fair opportunity at his former employers Aston Villa, he will be chomping at the bit to succeed if he’s given the call by Farke’s men.
Games played
45
45
Goals scored
12
6
Assists
11
15
Shots*
2.7
2.7
Touches*
48.7
46.6
Accurate passes*
23.3 (74%)
15.1 (69%)
Key passes*
2.0
1.9
Big chances missed
5
17
Big chances created
10
22
Looking at the table above, the similarities just keep stacking up, with Farke more prepared to take a risk on his potential new £20m buy in the knowledge that Rutter moved up and acclimatised to his new surroundings swimmingly, with eight goal contributions next to his name from 28 Premier League appearances in 2024/25.
The Boro star is the “whole package” – as he’s been labelled by his current boss Carrick – and could well feel he’s now outgrown the Championship. Indeed, a sparkling 11 goals and ten assists also came his way in league action during the 2023/24 campaign, alongside nearly matching Rutter at the Riverside Stadium recently.
Therefore, ahead of their Premier League voyage taking off, taking a risk on EFL superstar Azaz to come good might well see the West Yorkshire titans win themselves Rutter 2.0.
Orta wanted him: Leeds eyeing move for "very prolific" Piroe upgrade
Leeds United are eyeing a Joel Piroe upgrade who was previously wanted by Victor Orta.
Arsenal have now identified an “unbelievable” player as their number one target on the left-wing, and there is a belief he would be the ideal addition to the squad, according to a report.
Gunners set sights on new winger
Gabriel Martinelli has shown some promising signs in the second half of the campaign, most recently scoring in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield, but the Gunners appear to be increasingly keen on bringing in competition for the Brazilian.
Most recently, the north Londoners started work on a move for AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, with sporting director Andrea Berta personally identifying the Portugal international as a transfer target, although the £85m asking price could be an obstacle.
Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sane, who is yet to sign a new contract to extend his stay in the Bundesliga, has also emerged as an option for Mikel Arteta’s side, with the German’s agent keen for his client to move to the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta's a fan: Arsenal racing to sign "entertaining" Hazard-esque maestro
The Gunners have set their sights on a midfielder, who has been likened to former Chelsea star Eden Hazard.
ByDominic Lund May 11, 2025
However, according to a report from The Daily Mail, a different winger is Arsenal’s number one target for the summer transfer window, namely Athletic Club’s Nico Williams, with the Spaniard viewed as the ideal option to compete for Martinelli’s starting spot.
Leandro Trossard is currently exploring a move to the Saudi Pro League, which may exacerbate the need for the Gunners to bring in a new winger, and Williams is their top target to provide competition for Martinelli, who has been inconsistent this season.
Athletic Bilbao'sNicoWilliamsin action with Rangers' Ridvan Yilmaz
Chelsea are also interested in the left-winger, however, which could complicate a deal, with Leao and Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens being identified as potential alternative targets for Arteta’s side, should they miss out on the Athletic Club star.
"Unbelievable" Williams could be "ideal" for Arteta
Amid previous links with the Spain international, Arsenal-supporting scout Ben Mattinson claimed the forward could be “ideal” for Arteta, given his ability to play on both flanks and drive at opposition defences.
The left-winger also caught the eye during Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph, with BBC broadcaster John Bennett singling him out for high praise.
Having impressed for his national side last summer, the 22-year-old is currently enjoying an impressive campaign in La Liga, with five goals and five assists to his name, while also providing seven goal contributions in the Europa League.
It is clear that Arteta needs to bring in competition for Martinelli this summer, and Williams’ performances this season more than justify an outlay of £48m.
Aston Villa have a squad filled with players who shone for the club in the Champions League and Premier League this season.
It’s fair to say, though, that they haven’t been blessed with a natural, god-given talent since Jack Grealish departed in the summer of 2021.
Jack Grealish
The Englishman worked his way up from academy starlet to first-team sensation before leaving for £100m four years ago.
Why Jack Grealish was so good at Aston Villa
The 2024/25 season may not have been his finest at Manchester City, notably left out of the squad by Pep Guardiola for their final match of the season. Yet, he is still 28 and has plenty of football left in him.
“Of course, Jack has to play. That’s the truth. Jack is an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. And it didn’t happen this season, and last season neither. And he needs to do it with us, or another place. But that is a question for Jack, his agent, and the club. If he stays, we’ll be fine, and he’ll fight like he fought since day one to make a contribution.” – Pep on Grealish.
During his spell with Villa, however, he was one of the finest talents in the country. He scored 32 goals and grabbed 43 assists across 213 matches, leading the club back to the Premier League in 2019.
As the years progressed, it became clear that Grealish was perhaps one of the finest academy graduates to play for the club. In his final season, the Englishman demonstrated his creative talents.
In just 26 top-flight games, he created 14 big chances for Villa, along with averaging an impressive 3.2 key passes and succeeding with 2.5 dribbles per game.
Season
Games
Goals
Assists
2020/21
27
7
12
2019/20
41
10
8
2018/19
35
6
8
2017/18
31
3
6
2016/17
33
5
5
2015/16
21
1
1
2014/15
24
0
3
While Villa have gone from strength to strength under Unai Emery since 2022, the Spaniard must wish he had a talent like Grealish at his peak to utilise.
With the summer transfer window soon to open, can Emery sign the next best thing for the Midlands side?
Aston Villa could sign their new Grealish
The Villa Park side are showing plenty of interest in a move for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze after he enjoyed a stunning campaign.
This culminated with the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Man City and this has driven his price up. Indeed, the Englishman is wanted by the Villans and could cost around £65m according to reports, should any club wish to sign him this summer.
The fee would shatter Villa’s record transfer, but there is no doubt Eze would be worth the price.
In the Premier League this season, the 26-year-old averaged 1.7 key passes and succeeded with two dribbles per game. Furthermore, he even created 12 big chances for the Eagles.
These statistics are comparable to Grealish’s from his final league season at Villa, and it suggests Eze has the ability to become their new attacking sensation.
Analyst Ben Mattinson lauded the midfielder as a “superstar” in April 2024. Fast-forward 12 months, and this sentiment certainly continues to ring true with the England international scoring 14 goals and supplying 11 assists during an outstanding season.
Couple that with the flashy and carefree nature that Grealish also exudes, and the Palace sensation with his extra end product certainly has the potential to eclipse what the current City star achieved in the Midlands.
The only stumbling block might be the fact that Eze wouldn’t be playing Champions League football should he move to Villa. If he does, however, there is no doubt that the London-born dynamo can lead Emery’s side to another campaign in Europe’s premier club competition.
The next few weeks could be interesting, to say the least.
Aston Villa eye move for £25m Martinez successor who's beaten them 6 times
An “unbelievable” Premier League player is now at the “top” of Tottenham Hotspur’s list of targets to replace Cristian Romero in the summer, according to former goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
Romero heading for the exit door
At the end of April, it was revealed Romero has informed Tottenham that he wants to leave this summer, amid interest from La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, who have been working on a deal for the centre-back for several months.
With Daniel Levy open to selling the defender, it is now looking increasingly likely he will be on the move this summer, and Spurs’ performance in the Premier League is unlikely to do them any favours when it comes to holding on to their best players.
A 2-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace is the latest poor result for Ange Postecoglou’s side, in what has frankly been a terrible Premier League campaign, with the Lilywhites sitting in 17th place, having now lost 20 matches.
Tottenham now frontrunners and pushing to sign "incredible" maestro for £0
Spurs are leading the race for a midfielder, despite interest from Manchester United.
By
Dominic Lund
May 11, 2025
Bizarrely, Tottenham still have a chance to make a success out of the 2024-25 season, however, as a triumph in the Europa League final would end their 17-year trophy drought, while also securing qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Speaking to Tottenham Hotspur News, Robinson has now revealed that victory in the Europa League could be crucial when it comes to attracting their top target to replace Romero, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.
Crystal Palace's MarcGuehireacts after the match
Robinson said: “With Romero leaving, it’s looking more and more likely day by day that he’s going to move on. So you could argue that Tottenham are already a centre-half short.
“Guehi would be top of the list if they can beat anyone else to his signature. But without Champions League football, finishing 16th, potentially 17th in the Premier League, is that an attractive proposition? Or can Newcastle offer Champions League football and a better salary? And that’s where Tottenham are at the moment. There’s so much hanging on their Europa League success.”
Guehi could be "unbelievable" Romero replacement
Guehi showcased exactly why he is at the top of the shortlist on Sunday afternoon, putting in a commanding performance in his side’s 2-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The centre-back made 14 defensive actions throughout the match, the highest number of any player, while also winning six out of the seven ground duels he contested, which secured the 24-year-old an 8.3 SofaScore match rating.
Not only that, but the £60m-rated England international has now established himself at international level, most notably making six appearances for the Three Lions at Euro 2024.
Anthony Gordon lauded Guehi as “unbelievable” in light of his performances at the Euros, and having followed that up with an impressive campaign for Palace, there is every indication he could be a fantastic replacement for Romero.
Glasgow Rangers announced earlier this month that Czechia international Vaclav Cerny will return to his parent club Wolfsburg following the conclusion of his loan spell at Ibrox.
The left-footed winger spent the season on loan in Glasgow and it now remains to be seen whether or not the Gers will be able to bring him back to the club for a second stint.
Cerny looks set to be the third loan star in as many seasons to light up Ibrox before moving back to their parent club before going elsewhere, following in the footsteps of Abdallah Sima and Malik Tillman.
Sima scored 16 goals in 39 games on loan from Brighton in the 2023/24 campaign, and Tillman racked up 12 goals and five assists in 43 matches on loan from Bayern Munich in the 2022/23 season.
This shows that the club’s top wide options in the last three seasons have all been contracted to other clubs, which is not ideal because it means that Rangers have to replace them every year and have no option to potentially sell them on for profit as a result of their performances.
With this in mind, the Scottish Premiership giants should be trying to find a permanent solution to their problems out wide by finding their next Ryan Kent.
Rangers hit the jackpot with Ryan Kent
The English forward was a rare loanee that they were able to sign permanently for a reported fee of £7.5m during Steven Gerrard’s reign at Ibrox, and he went on to be a big success in Glasgow.
Rangers were willing to splash the cash to sign him permanently, and it turned out to be a fantastic decision as he was a terrific servant for many years on the left flank.
Rangers winger Ryan Kent.
Kent played on the left flank, cutting in on his right foot, and delivered plenty of quality at the top end of the pitch for the Gers, particularly in the 2020/21 campaign.
Ryan Kent’s Rangers career
Season
Appearances
Goals
Assists
22/23
44
3
10
21/22
46
3
19
20/21
52
13
14
19/20
33
8
4
18/19
43
6
9
Stats via Transfermarkt
As you can see in the table above, the English flanker produced an eye-catching 27 goals and assists combined in 52 games that term, in which the Light Blues won the Scottish Premiership title under Gerrard.
The right-footed speedster moved on from Ibrox in the summer of 2023 and Rangers have failed to replace him with a permanent replacement, signing Sima and Cerny on loan since, but that they could change that with their latest target.
Rangers in strong position to sign new star
According to GIVEMESPORT, Rangers are one of 26 clubs that are interested in a deal to sign Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The report claims that Birmingham City, Celtic, Sheffield United, and Sunderland are also eyeing up a deal to sign the Ghana international to bolster their respective clubs.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
It reveals that Rangers and Celtic are in a strong position to sign the 23-year-old star, though, because they would not have to pay as much in compensation as English teams would.
Poku’s contract at Peterborough is due to expire at the end of next month, making him a free agent, but because of his age, the Posh would be due compensation, and UEFA’s cross-border compensation rules mean that the Scottish teams would land him for a cut-price fee.
GIVEMESPORT adds that the Scottish teams have sent scouts to watch the attacker in action, but it remains to be seen who will win the race for his services this summer.
Rangers should, now, look to use their compensation advantage to put together an attractive contract package that can convince him to make the move to Ibrox, as he could be Kent 2.0.
Why Kwame Poku could be the next Ryan Kent
Poku could be the next version of Kent at Ibrox as an exciting wing talent who could be a long-term option for the next Light Blues manager, rather than a one-season loan.
The Scottish giants could build their attack around the 23-year-old star, who could be a key player for the club for many years to come, as Gerrard did with Kent after the English ace joined on a permanent deal.
Poku, who was described as “outstanding” by journalist Lukman Evergreen, has produced impressive performances for Peterborough over the last two seasons, and his form for the League One side suggests that the potential is there for him to be a fantastic signing for Rangers.
The left-footed star delivered 11 goals and seven assists in 39 appearances in the division during the 2023/24 campaign, before he improved on that haul at the top end of the pitch in the season that just finished.
Stats
Kent (20/21 Premiership)
Poku (24/25 League One)
Appearances
37
27
Goals
10
12
Big chances missed
8
3
Big chances created
9
9
Key passes per game
1.8
1.2
Assists
9
8
Stats via Sofascore
As you can see in the table above, Poku’s 2024/25 campaign for Peterborough was even more impressive than Kent’s in the Premiership title-winning season under Gerrard, with more goals and as many ‘big chances’ created in ten fewer appearances.
These statistics suggest that the potential is there for the 23-year-old to be a Kent-esque figure on the right flank for the Light Blues next season and beyond, as a winger who has the quality to deliver goals and assists on a regular basis.
Whilst it remains to be seen whether or not he can make the step up to the Premiership, Poku would be an exciting signing as a player with the potential to improve and develop over time as a long-term addition to the squad, rather than a one-season loan.
They've had talks: Rangers could hire 3-4-3 manager who's like Clement & GVB
Rangers are still no further forward in their search for a new manager
ByRoss Kilvington May 27, 2025
Therefore, the Light Blues could find their next version of Ryan Kent at Ibrox by winning the race to bring the Peterborough star to Ibrox this summer.
Part and parcel of being a club in the lower leagues in England, as Sunderland had been for far too long, is that you are constantly at risk of clubs higher up the food chain snatching your best talent.
The Black Cats finished 16th in the Championship at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, falling well short of the play-offs, and it was time for Jack Clarke to make his way up the pyramid without the club.
Ipswich Town swooped to sign the winger in a deal that could rise to £20m, following their promotion to the Premier League, and that meant that Sunderland hit the jackpot with the forward.
How Sunderland struck gold with Jack Clarke
The Black Cats signed the English wizard from Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent deal in 2022, after an initial loan spell on Wearside, and Transfermarkt valued him at £2.9m at the time of the move.
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Football FanCast’s Market Movers series explores the changing landscape of the modern transfer market. How much is your club’s star player or biggest flop worth today?
Clarke went on to rack up 24 goals and 16 assists in two seasons in the Championship with Sunderland as an exciting wing wizard, which convinced Ipswich to splash a fee of up to £20m on his services.
This shows that his value soared by just over £17m during his spell at the club, thanks to his performances in the second tier, which shows that the Black Cats struck gold with the winger by providing him with a platform to showcase his talent on a regular basis.
There is now a player in the current squad who is on his way to becoming Jack Clarke 2.0, as Sunderland have already hit the jackpot with Eliezer Mayenda.
How high Eliezer Mayenda's value has soared
The man who got Sunderland back into the game at Wembley with a terrific strike in the play-off final has been a terrific signing for the club.
Mayenda arrived from Sochaux in the summer of 2023, valued at just £252k by Transfermarkt at the time, and he failed to score in eight Championship appearances during the 2023/24 campaign.
Regis Le Bris came through the door last summer, though, and transformed the young starlet, who went on to provide ten goals and five assists in 40 outings in the second tier.
July 2023
£252k
October 2023
£419k
December 2023
£587k
September 2024
£838k
March 2025
£3.5m
May 2025
£10m
As you can see in the table above, the 20-year-old star’s market value has soared by a staggering 3,868% since his initial move to the Stadium of Light, to the point that he is now valued at a whopping £10m.
Mayenda, who was described as a “threat” by Kevin Phillips, has followed in Clarke’s footsteps as a young player who has soared in value as a result of performing brilliantly in the Championship, thanks to the opportunities given to him by Le Bris.
Sunderland could sign "incredible" star who's as exciting as Enzo Le Fee
Sunderland could now go full steam ahead to try and sign this exciting star after sealing promotion.
ByKelan Sarson May 26, 2025
This shows that Sunderland have hit the jackpot with the Spain U21 international, because they snapped him up when his value was low and have turned him into an incredibly valuable player and asset ahead of their return to the Premier League.
A 27-goal star, who Arne Slot called “unbelievable” earlier this season, has now been identified as a dream signing for Liverpool this summer, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Reds ramping up pursuit of new striker
Darwin Nunez is looking increasingly likely to head for the exit door in the summer, and the Reds are now stepping up their pursuit of a replacement for the Uruguayan, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen emerging as a contender to lead the line next season.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres are also named as potential targets for Slot’s side, while they are also keen on signing Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, who has flourished in the role of striker for the Bees at times this season.
Mbeumo has been one of the most prolific forwards in England, netting 18 goals, while also providing seven assists, indicating that he is a well-rounded attacker who could be a fantastic option for Slot, but another Premier League star is also in the Merseysiders’ sights.
"Incredible" £30m right-back "keen on a move to Liverpool" – Ornstein
The Reds have received good news in their pursuit of a 24-year-old.
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That is according to Romano, who recently told GiveMeSport that Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak is Liverpool’s dream target for the summer transfer window, even though a move will be extremely difficult to facilitate due to his importance to the Magpies.
A move may not be possible until later in the summer, if at all, and a deal will also be dependent on the Reds’ transfer budget, with previous reports suggesting the Magpies could be set to hold out for a fee as high as £150m.
"Unbelievable" Isak could take Liverpool to next level
Heading into the EFL Cup Final against Newcastle back in March, Slot was well-aware of the Sweden international’s attacking capabilities, singling him out for high praise.
However, the Liverpool boss was unable to nullify the 25-year-old, who scored in his side’s 2-1 triumph, writing his name in folklore by playing a part in ending his side’s 70-year trophy drought, and he has regularly been on the scoresheet in the Premier League too.
Competition
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Premier League
32
23
6
FA Cup
2
1
0
EFL Cup
6
3
0
Having amassed 27 goals in all competitions, the £120k-a-week forward is clearly a top-level striker, and there is every sign he could be a huge upgrade on Nunez, who has scored just five times in the Premier League this term.
Liverpool have been quiet in recent transfer windows, which means FSG are in a position to hand Slot a war chest this summer, and splashing the cash on Isak could help establish the Reds as major Champions League contenders for many years to come.
Manchester United restored some sense of pride on the final day of the Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Amad Diallo and Christian Eriksen, who scored from the spot, both got on the scoresheet to secure three points for the Red Devils after their disappointment in Bilbao.
Ruben Amorim delivered his speech to the supporters inside the ground after the full-time whistle and stated that Manchester United can overcome any situation and that they will strive to bring success back to the club next term.
United ended the 2024/25 campaign with no trophies added to the cabinet, and they will be without European football next season, which could also be seen as a potential positive to ease their schedule and allow them to focus on domestic success.
Manchester United manager RubenAmorimbefore the match
In order to get the club competing at the top of the table again, though, Amorim will need to be backed by the board to improve his squad, as the current players have simply not delivered enough on the pitch.
One player who should be replaced, as a regular starter at the very least, is centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund, who has not done enough to suggest that he can be relied on.
Why Manchester United need to replace Rasmus Hojlund
The Danish marksman arrived from Atalanta in the summer of 2023 in a deal that was reported to be worth up to £72m, which immediately put high expectations on the striker.
Rasmus Hojlund
However, Hojlund had only scored nine goals in the Serie A during the 2022/23 campaign and arrived at Old Trafford as a young striker with the potential to improve, rather than a ready-made star who was likely to hit the ground running.
Unfortunately, the 22-year-old attacker has not kicked on in the way that the club would have hoped for when they decided to splash a significant amount of money on his services two years ago.
Appearances
30
32
xG
7.64
5.24
Goals
10
4
Minutes per goal
217
506
Big chances created
0
4
Assists
2
0
As you can see in the table above, Hojlund had a fairly decent first year in the Premier League with a return of ten goals in 30 games, but he has regressed throughout his United career to date, scoring just four times in the league this season.
A return of four league goals and zero assists in 32 appearances is simply not good enough. Not good enough for the Red Devils, and not good enough for a striker who was signed for £72m two years ago.
Rasmus Hojlund
This is why Amorim must look to replace Hojlund as a starter, either with a player in the squad or by dipping into the summer transfer window. However, one player who may not come in to replace him is reported target Viktor Gyokeres.
Why Man Utd may not sign Viktor Gyokeres
Despite working with the United boss at Sporting, the Sweden international may not be a realistic target for the Premier League giants this summer after they failed to secure European football.
Prior to the Europa League final, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano suggested that moves for Victor Osimhen and Gyokeres could be taken off the table by a failure to land a Champions League place due to financial limitations.
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The reporter said: “He loves Gyokeres and Gyokeres loves Amorim, for sure. But for Man Utd we say it for [Victor] Osimhen and for Gyokeres too – it depends on the budget, how much they can invest, how much they can spend and what happens with European football.”
Sporting’s star number nine has been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal, who will both be in the Champions League next season, which could make it incredibly difficult for United to outbid them or convince the striker to pick a move to Old Trafford over playing European football.
Failing to sign Gyokeres would be a shame, given that the 26-year-old star has scored 96 goals and provided 28 assists in 101 matches for Sporting, but Amorim could forget about Hojlund and the former Coventry City ace by unleashing Kobbie Mainoo in a new role.
The new role Kobbie Mainoo should play for Man Utd
Whilst this may sound like a crazy idea at face value, playing a central midfielder up front as an alternative to signing a striker with 96 goals in 101 games, it is a tactical move that could make sense for United in the short-term.
Teams have been successful in the past without having a natural number nine who scored 20-plus goals. Roberto Firmino, for example, only scored more than 12 Premier League goals in one of his seasons at Liverpool, and they won the title and the Champions League during his time there.
The Brazil international was so effective for Jurgen Klopp because he brought technical quality and ingenuity in a false nine role, which was perfectly complemented by having two inside forwards, in Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, who could deliver goals on a regular basis.
Mainoo, who was described as a “generational talent” by Hojlund, is a technically excellent footballer who can offer similar qualities to Firmino in that role, and United are reportedly closing in on Matheus Cunha, who would be perfect to play alongside the England international as part of a Klopp’s Liverpool-esque front three.
Appearances
33
25
Starts
29
19
xG
8.63
0.77
Goals
15
0
Big chances created
13
4
Assists
6
0
As you can see in the table above, the Wolves star has the goalscoring and creative quality to be a terrific addition as one of the number ten options behind the striker, which could make him the Salah or Mane to Mainoo’s Firmino.
Whilst the United star’s haul of zero goals and four ‘big chances’ created may not immediately catch the eye, he did create those chances in just 19 starts whilst mainly playing as a central midfielder, and the star showcased his composure and quality in the box against Lyon int the Europa League.
Mainoo scored three goals from just 0.89 xG in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, which suggests that he does have the potential to finish chances efficiently, and he would have more opportunities to find the back of the net whilst playing as a false nine.
Therefore, United could forget about Hojlund and Gyokeres by unleashing the academy graduate in a new role next season, utilising his technical quality and intelligence to combine with the goalscoring quality that Cunha and Bruno Fernandes can provide behind him.
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This could be a cost-effective, short-term, solution to Amorim’s Hojlund problem, due to the financial blow of missing out on Europe, and save the club from having to spend money on a less-than-ideal striker alternative to their big targets, which could set them up to go big on a new number nine next year if they work their way back into European football.
Chelsea securing qualification for the Champions League next season means Enzo Maresca will be able to entice a greater calibre of players to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Of course, that hasn’t exactly been a problem over the previous year or two, but returning to Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since 2022/23 should give all at the club a massive boost of confidence.
The rumour mill has already begun as several players have been linked with a move to the Blues and the window isn’t even open yet.
Indeed, Marc Guehi is reportedly a player routinely linked with a move to Chelsea and this may accelerate following their fourth-place finish in the Premier League.
Maresca is also looking for another striker or two. Victor Osimhen appears to be a key target, as does Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap. The latter is available for a fee of just £30m due to his club’s relegation from the top flight.
Another player has emerged as a potential signing recently, however, as Brighton and Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro is the latest attacking player to be linked with a move to Chelsea.
Chelsea eyeing move for Joao Pedro
According to reports from Brazil last week, the Blues have made an offer worth £51m to sign the Brazilian. It appears as though the club are attempting to ‘speed up negotiations’ in a bid to have him ready for the upcoming Club World Cup which begins in June.
Pedro wasn’t involved in Brighton’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur on the last day of the Premier League season following a ‘training ground altercation’ with teammate Jan Paul van Hecke.
Joao Pedro celebrates for Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Seagulls look certain to cash in on him sooner rather than later, with the Blues jumping to the front of the queue.
Since joining the club in the summer of 2023, the 23-year-old has registered 40 goal contributions in just 70 matches – 30 goals and ten assists – which represents an excellent return.
This season has been particularly productive, netting ten goals in 27 league games, and these helped the Seasiders to an eighth-place finish in the top flight.
It would be a smart signing by Maresca to bring the former Watford man back to London. He knows the Premier League and, as evidenced over the previous two seasons, knows where the back of the net is.
Money will be available for the manager, that’s for sure. But should a chunk be spent on Pedro? Or is there another option out there which might be a better long-term signing?
Chelsea have held talks over Pedro alternative
Maresca is in the market for a new centre-forward this summer and the one player he appears to be most serious about is Benjamin Sesko.
The youngster has been a target for quite some time, but now Arsenal have joined the list of potential suitors.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskocelebrates
Sesko has a reported release clause worth £67m, and they will have to act swiftly amid reports that Arsenal are now in talks about securing a move for the RB Leipzig striker.
Journalist Simon Phillips claims that the Blues are also working hard behind the scenes to secure a move for the Slovenian international.
“The new info I have is that Arsenal are now really pushing for Benjamin Sesko as well as Chelsea,” said Phillips.
“Both clubs have held talks and laid down some groundwork to sign him. Arsenal also really like Viktor Gyokeres, but there’s a split internally there as to which striker they want to push for.”
Benjamin Sesko’s Budlesiga stats for RB Leipzig
Metric
2023/24
2024/25
Goals
14
13
Assists
2
5
Shots on target per game
0.8
0.9
Successful dribbles per game
0.5
1.2
Big chances created
1
5
Via Sofascore
Pedro may have 89 Premier League appearances under his belt, but the sheer raw talent of Sesko means he could be the better signing of the two.
Why Chelsea must sign Benjamin Sesko this summer
The 21-year-old made his mark at Austrian side RB Salzburg, enjoying a breakthrough season in 2022/23, scoring 18 goals in 41 appearances for the club.
This secured him a move to the German Bundesliga with Leipzig, and he hasn’t looked back since. Across 87 games for the club, he has scored 39 goals and grabbed eight assists, working out as a goal every 2.2 matches.
Following a late-season goal splurge during his debut season in Germany, U23 scout Antonio Mango hailed the striker as a “monster” for his performances in front of goal.
Football talent scout Jacek Kulig even hailed Sesko as “the new Erling Haaland” back in May 2021, and while he might not be at that level just yet, his trajectory has been trending upwards ever since.
Still only 21, Sesko has plenty of time to reach the level of Haaland, that’s for sure. Judging by the statistics, he could certainly turn out to be a better signing for Chelsea than Pedro this summer.
RB Leipzig's BenjaminSeskobefore taking a penalty
Indeed, according to FBref, Sesko has registered more goals and assists (18 vs 16) than the Brazilian across their respective domestic leagues.
Furthermore, he has also registered more shots per 90 (2.5 vs 1.94), boasts a higher successful take-on percentage (52% vs 33.7%) and wins a higher percentage of aerial duels (58.8% vs 48.8%) per 90 this season.
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In the Bundesliga, Sesko averaged a goal every 185 minutes for Leipzig during 2024/25, while registering 0.9 shots on target per game.
In comparison, Pedro averaged a goal every 195 minutes for the Seagulls, while averaging 0.7 shots on target in the Premier League during the same time period.
Not much to choose between, but on paper, Sesko would be the perfect long-term option for Chelsea and Maresca given his high ceiling for development.
That’s not to say Pedro wouldn’t be a good signing, but if the Blues are going to be spending northwards of £50m on a striker, bringing in one who has better potential makes perfect sense.
The Blues face competition from Arsenal, but this might not pose much of a problem for Maresa, who will be keen to entice the Slovenian to Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks.
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