Arsenal have many different transfer plates spinning behind-the-scenes right now, according to reports, with sporting director Andrea Berta attempting to make progress on key summer deals.

Arsenal poised to sign Kepa and Zubimendi amid new striker talks

While there were some concerns that Real Madrid would hijack Arsenal’s move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, The Athletic’s David Ornstein moved to reassure supporters this week that the Spain international is firmly on track to join Mikel Arteta’s side.

Related £67m player prioritising Arsenal move as agent holds meeting, it's not Sesko

He’s pretty keen on a move to north London.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Jun 13, 2025

The delay in announcing Zubimendi’s capture is apparently down to financial reasons, with Sociedad keen to register the 26-year-old’s sale as part of the next financial year, which commences in July (AS).

Arsenal transfer spending under Arteta (via Sky Sports)

Money on new signings

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

Arsenal are poised to sign Zubimendi after months of talks, and barring a late unmitigated disaster, Gunners chiefs consider the deal for him as “done” (David Ornstein).

Berta is also closing in on the signing of Chelsea outcast Kepa Arrizabalaga as their second-choice keeper after missing out on widely reported top target Joan Garcia to Barcelona.

The Spaniard, who was deemed surplus to requirements by Enzo Maresca, is set to finalise a £5 million move from Stamford Bridge, following a productive loan spell at Bournemouth last season.

Kepa’s imminent arrival has been praised by critics too, who call him an “absolute steal”.

“Arsenal have acted really quickly after it became clear that Joan Garcia would not be arriving from Espanyol this summer and have all but wrapped up a really smart piece of business,” said journalist Charles Watts to CaughtOffside.

“Landing a keeper like Kepa for just £5 million is an absolute steal. I’m honestly baffled at how there seems to be some who are questioning it.

“You are talking about a keeper approaching his best years who has plenty of experience and is a senior international. He had a very good season on loan at Bournemouth last season and the season before he helped Real Madrid win the Champions League while he was there.”

Amid these two moves, Arsenal continue working on signing a new striker.

Two names have dominated the headlines – RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres.

Arsenal have been in negotiations with Leipzig over Sesko, but are yet to find an agreement on price, which has perhaps led them to try their hand at an offer for Gyokeres instead.

Arsenal submit "concrete offer" for Viktor Gyokeres

According to Portuguese newspaper Record, Sporting and the Sweden international have received Berta’s opening bid.

The Italian held a summit with Sporting’s general director of football, Bernardo Palmeiro, in Spain earlier this week. During these talks, Arsenal submitted their “first concrete offer” for Gyokeres, which came in at around £55 million including add-ons.

Unfortunately, this is very unlikely to be anywhere near enough, as Sporting president Frederico Varandas confirmed to the media this week that the 27-year-old star striker would not be leaving for nearly £60m.

Gyokeres’ situation in the Primeira Liga is becoming very toxic, with the player uploading a cryptic Instagram post after Varandas’ comments that he would not be blackmailed into selling him.

In his post, Gyokeres addressed the “false” talk regarding his future, potentially aimed at Varandas’ statements to the media.

Having scored 54 goals in all competitions last term, guiding Sporting to their first domestic double in decades, the centre-forward’s future has now turned into a soap opera, and Arsenal could look to take full advantage.

If the north Londoners do make progress in negotiation, it is believed by some media sources that Gyokeres is demanding around £250,000-per-week to join any suitor (The Mirror).

The hosts secured their second-ever series whitewash against the West Indies

Madushka Balasuriya21-Jun-2024

Vishmi Gunaratne and Chamari Athapaththu put up a solid opening stand•SLC

Chamari Athapaththu, Nilakshika Silva and Anushka Sanjeewani led the way with half-centuries before Sachini Nisansala grabbed a maiden five-for to set up a comprehensive 161-run win over the West Indies in the third ODI in Hambantota. The hosts took the series 3-0, securing their second series whitewash against the West Indies.Chasing Sri Lanka’s score of 275 for 6 – their third-highest total in ODIs – West Indies struggled to get going as both Rashada Williams and skipper Shemaine Campbell were dislodged inside the first six overs.Chedean Nation and Stafanie Taylor then strung together the innings’ only partnership of note as the pair put on 57 off 82 deliveries, steadily chipping away at the target, only for Taylor to edge one behind off the miserly Oshadi Ranasinghe. Nation, who had looked in control during her 57-ball 46, might have harboured hopes of putting on similar stands with the middle and lower order, but Athapaththu put paid to any such notions when she skid one past Nation’s outside edge to clip off stump.Suddenly West Indies were teetering at 69 for 4, at which point Nisansala took over. She had been the most expensive of Sri Lanka’s bowlers last time out, but here her slow left-arm orthodox proved extremely effective, particularly on a surface that offered a good amount of grip and turn.Zaida James was trapped leg before to one that skidded on, while Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher and Qiana Joseph all fell looking to hit out. The five-for was complete when Aaliyah Alleyne (27 off 27) chipped one back to Nisansala, bringing to an end her cameo.Earlier, having been put into bat, the Sri Lankan opening pair of Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne took the attack to the West Indian bowlers in a stand of 93. Gunaratne fell six runs short of her half century miscuing an attempted loft to Alleyne at mid-off.Two more wickets in quick succession saw the backs of Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hansima Karunaratne, but Athapaththu was still at the crease to bring the game back under control with 57-run partnership with Nilakshika.The Sri Lanka captain eventually fell for a 106-ball 91, as Fletcher spun one through bat and pad. At that point Sri Lanka were 156 for 4 after 34.1 overs, and their primary power hitter was back in the dressing room. But if the West Indies were hoping to reel themselves back into the game, Nilakshika and Sanjeewani were not willing to play ball, as the pair proceeded to plunder 117 runs in a 93-ball fifth wicket partnership – Sri Lanka’s second highest for the fifth wicket. Sri Lanka ended up scoring 93 off the final 10 overs; Sanjeewani (55 off 46) and Nilakshika (63 off 78) eventually fell in the final over, but by then the damage was well and truly done.

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has recommended a highly-rated attacker to the Lilywhites hierarchy, and he could come in to replace a forward who’s not in the Dane’s long-term plans.

Frank holds Tottenham talks over signing £300k-p/w ace who's open to joining

The Spurs boss has been discussing him with Lilywhites hierarchy.

1 ByEmilio Galantini Jun 18, 2025

Spurs have many incomings and outgoings to address over the coming months, as chairman Daniel Levy and technical director Johan Lange reshape the squad to best prepare Frank for his first ever campaign as a Champions League manager.

Manor Solomon and Bryan Gil are almost certain to be leaving N17 this summer, having just spent 2024/2025 on loan at Leeds United and Girona respectively, with the latter confirming his intention to leave in a recent interview.

Son Heung-min

7.00

James Maddison

6.98

Pedro Porro

6.95

Dominic Solanke

6.84

Dejan Kulusevski

6.83

via WhoScored

“That’s something my agent will tell me where things are going, but they [Spurs] told me, and I told them, that the best thing is for us not to continue being linked to Tottenham,” Gil told Estadio Deportivo in April.

“They bet on me when I was young, and they’ve treated me fairly well, but if I have to go back there, I’ll focus on giving my best as always. I’m calm because no one can have a bad word to say about me not being professional. Without playing, I’ve always trained well, I’ve done what I had to do, so whatever has to happen, will happen. We’ll see where we are next year.”

Solomon’s sale would count as pure profit in the eyes of PSR, considering he signed as a free agent in the summer of 2023, so it is likely that Spurs will sell the Israel international unless Frank or Levy decide otherwise.

Uncertainty surrounds the futures of Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero as well, amid repeated links to Saudi Arabia for the former and Atletico Madrid for the latter, with reports from Italy now claiming Wilson Odobert has been put on the transfer list as well.

Thomas Frank green-lights Gustan Isaksen move at Tottenham

That is according to Lalaziosiamonoi.it, who report that Frank doesn’t fancy Odobert, and he will be allowed to leave N17 this summer.

They add that the 51-year-old personally has his eyes on a replacement for Spurs’ exit-bound winger – Lazio star Gustan Isaksen.

The Denmark international racked up 49 appearances for Lazio in all competitions last term, registering 12 goal contributions in that time (six goals and six assists), and Frank is believed to be “crazy” about his compatriot.

Lalaziosiamonoi.it state that Frank has recommended Isaksen to the Tottenham hierarchy and would “welcome” a move for the 24-year-old. Isaksen would also be available for around £25 million, meaning he wouldn’t exactly break the bank from Spurs’ perspective.

The right-winger, who scored against European champions Spain and Switzerland during Denmark’s UEFA Nations League campaign, could be a bargain heir to Son or Odobert, if either men do call time on their Tottenham careers before deadline day.

“He has started to become decisive,” said ex-Lazio boss Marco Baroni about his former star winger. “I have always felt that he has been ready to explode on the big stage.”

Newcastle United are now keen on signing a Manchester United star on loan, but the Red Devils are looking for a permanent transfer instead, according to a recent report.

Newcastle hold talks for Premier League stars

The Magpies are back in the Champions League next season, and given they will want to be competitive in both that and the Premier League, it can be expected that they will have their eye on making a few signings this summer to bolster their depth.

Newcastle talks held over "brilliant" £75m forward, PIF have the cash ready

The Magpies are looking to conduct a deal.

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 18, 2025

Signing a new centre-back could be high on the agenda, given the ages of the likes of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn and the fact that Jamaal Lascelles looks set to be leaving St James’ Park at the end of the month.

It’s been reported this week that Newcastle are in fact in talks with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jan Paul van Hecke over a transfer to the North East this summer. Talks have begun with the player’s representatives ahead of the club making contact with the Seagulls, who are looking to get around £60 million for the defender.

As well as holding talks over signing a new defender, The Athletic have reported that Newcastle have held internal talks over signing Mohammed Kudus from West Ham United.

The forward has a release clause worth £75 million, and it is believed the Hammers are open to selling Kudus, given he has fallen out of favour under manager Graham Potter. The pursuit of Kudus could be seen as an alternative to Bryan Mbeumo, and they are not the only forwards on their list, as the Magpies are also weighing up a move for another Premier League attacker.

Newcastle want to winger Man Utd ace on loan

According to The Sun, Newcastle are interested in signing Marcus Rashford from Manchester United on a season-long loan deal.

The Englishman looks set to leave Old Trafford this summer, and the Magpies are now ready to make their move, as they believe they can offer him the right stage to get his career back on track. Rashford isn’t seen as a player to replace Alexander Isak, who has been linked with a move away.

However, there is a stumbling block, as the Red Devils would prefer a permanent exit, following his loan spell at Aston Villa.

Rashford himself meanwhile, who has been dubbed “world-class” by his United teammate Luke Shaw in the past, is believed to see Barcelona as his preferred destination, but the Spanish side have their eyes on other targets. Villa decided against the option they had to buy, and that means he is now set to return to United pre-season training next month as things stand.

Apps

297

Goals

89

Assists

52

It’s been claimed that United would like to sell Rashford this summer if they receive a fee of £40 million, but as of yet no club has come forward. Rashford’s potential arrival at Newcastle would not only see him fight for a spot alongside Isak, but he would also have the likes of Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes to deal with, both players who have been key under Eddie Howe.

Afghanistan beat Bangladesh in the last game of the Super Eight stage to knock Australia out of the T20 World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jun-2024After a dramatic end to the Super Eight stage, with Afghanistan winning a thriller against Bangladesh in St Vincent to knock out Australia, the four semi-finalists of the T20 World Cup 2024 have been confirmed: Group 2 toppers South Africa will take on Afghanistan in the first semi-final, while Group 1 leaders India will face England in the second semi-final.The first semi-final between South Africa and Afghanistan will start at 8.30pm local time on Wednesday, June 26, at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. The second semi-final between India and England will be at 10.30am Thursday morning, June 27 (local time) at Guyana’s Providence Stadium.India had been allotted the second semi-final in Guyana well before the tournament started, irrespective of their Super Eight finish. That match will start at 8pm India time on June 27.The playing conditions for the two semi-finals, though, are different. The second semi-final, featuring India and England, will not have a reserve day because of a single day’s gap between that match and the final.However, a total of 250 minutes of additional time is available for each semi-final. The first semi-final will have an extra 60 minutes at the end of the day’s play and a further 190 minutes on the reserve day, starting from 2pm local time. The second semi-final will have the entire 250 minutes available on the scheduled day since it doesn’t have a reserve day.Additionally, for a game to be constituted as complete in the semi-finals and final, both teams should bat a minimum of 10 overs per innings, as opposed to five overs per innings in the rest of the tournament. This could be significant as rain has been forecast at both venues, and the playing conditions state that in case of a washout, the team that finishes higher in their respective Super Eight groups (India and South Africa, in this case) will proceed. In case the final is abandoned because of poor weather, the two finalists will be declared joint winners.

Cursory comments regarding Newcastle United’s wealth must be frustrating for the Toon faithful, and indeed the powers that be at St. James’ Park.

While several divisional rivals have struggled to direct their hosepipe stream of transfer funds over the past several years, Newcastle have been diligent and calculated under the wing of Eddie Howe.

However, last summer’s window left plenty to be desired. In that regard, it’s all the more remarkable that Howe led his Magpies to glory in the Carabao Cup and sealed a place in next season’s Champions League proper after finishing fifth in the Premier League.

With talisman Alexander Isak expected to stay put now that Newcastle have registered themselves for a return to Europe’s elite stage, focus has turned to a right-sided forward.

However, Newcastle have already hit a bump in the road on that front.

Newcastle's search for a right winger

The overload of reports on the matter has made it clear for a while that Newcastle have held a vested interest in Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, one of the Premier League’s standout stars last season.

Premier League 24/25 – Top Goalscorers
Rank	Player	Apps	Goals
1.	Mohamed Salah	38	29
2.	Alexander Isak	34	23
3.	Erling Haaland	31	22
4.	Chris Wood	36	20
5.	Bryan Mbeumo	38	20
Data via Premier League

Mbeumo finished fourth in the goalscoring charts, no doubt contented with his placement given the calibre of those ahead of him, and he would have added quite the dimension to Howe’s brood, had he not rejected interest from Newcastle and a host of further suitors.

The reason? Mbeumo has chosen Manchester United as his desired new stomping ground, in spite of the Red Devils finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, another interested party.

Newcastle have missed out on Mbeumo, but they could yet secure a fantastic new winger. They might even have the perfect fit, having profiled him one year ago.

Newcastle strengthen interest in winger

According to The Northern Echo, Nottingham Forest are on alert as Newcastle gear up to reinforce their interest in Anthony Elanga, who was the subject of a rejected £50m bid on transfer deadline day in August 2024.

The Tricky Trees would expect negotiations to start in a similar ballpark, though in truth, United would perhaps need to pay north of that figure, having held initial discussions this year to discuss the possibility of a deal.

While fellow Premier League forwards Joao Pedro and Antoine Semenyo are on PIF’s radar, the 23-year-old Elanga is felt to be Howe’s leading target.

What Anthony Elanga would bring to Newcastle

Nottingham Forest signed Elanga from Manchester United for a fee of £15m in July 2023, with the young forward earning scant opportunities at Old Trafford.

Two years on, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone willing to testify that the star’s decision was a bad one, instrumental in the club’s rise into European competition last year and in staving off relegation during 2023/24.

Anthony Elanga’s Premier League Career
Season	Apps	Goals	Assists
24/25 – Forest	38	6	11
23/24 – Forest	36	5	9
22/23 – Man Utd	16	0	1
21/22 – Man Utd	21	2	2
20/21 – Man Utd	2	1	0
Data via Transfermarkt

Still only 23, remember, the Sweden international could become a bona fide star in the years to come, with a transfer to Howe’s Newcastle sure to spark an acceleration of development.

His blistering speed and powerful athleticism even suggest Elanga could bloom into Howe’s new version of Allan Saint-Maximin, though perhaps one who offers a tad more by the way of clinical output.

As per FBref, Elanga ranked among the top 6% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 10% for goal-creating actions and the top 3% for crosses per 90.

He didn’t rank that highly across ball-carrying metrics, but do not let this fool you: Elanga is one of the most electric wingers in England, simply reduced in his intensity due to Nuno Espirito’s pragmatic tactics (often hemmed in, Forest ranked 18th for possession with a 42% average).

He’s got that “X-factor pace”, all right, as was agreed by Sky Sports pundits Andy Reid and Jamie Redknapp. And in that regard, Newcastle could unearth their new version of Saint-Maximin, one who could offer more of a clinical threat than the fleet-footed Frenchman.

Saint-Maximin’s qualities have earned him cult status on Tyneside, with reporter Pete O’Rourke also noting his own “X-Factor” quality, having been hailed as a real “box of tricks” due to his frightening speed and dribbling prowess.

While his £23m transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli back in 2023 was bittersweet, Howe clearly knew what he was doing, however, with the winger posting 13 goals and 21 assists across 124 matches at Newcastle, a contribution rate of only 0.28.

Elanga, conversely, has been far more prolific in Nottingham, heaving an almost identical haul of 11 goals and 21 assists for the City Ground side, but doing so across just 82 fixtures in all competitions, a rate of 0.39.

Though Elanga wouldn’t bring the innate goalscoring quality of Mbeumo to the Newcastle fold, he could definitely make a big difference, promoting creativity and taking his athletic qualities into a more fitting park, with Howe’s expansive system allowing him to roam and find the likes of Isak in the middle.

Transfer Focus

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

Of course, given that he only missed six big chances in the Premier League last term, converting six more, as per Sofascore, there’s every reason Howe could fashion this talented up-and-comer into a rip-roaring sensation, one bursting with completeness and layers befitting of a place in one of the most exciting projects on the continent.

Big Wilson upgrade: Newcastle hold talks for £50m "proper quality" ST

Newcastle need to complement Alexander Isak with some fresh firepower next season.

By
Angus Sinclair

Jun 7, 2025

Manchester United have a reported interest in Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres, who worked with Ruben Amorim in Portugal, but they look unlikely to win the race for his signature.

A recent report claimed that the Sweden international has decided that he would rather sign for the club’s Premier League rivals Arsenal instead of making a move to Old Trafford to reunite with his former boss.

The former Coventry star, who scored a staggering 52 goals in all competitions for Sporting in the 2024/25 season, is available for a fee of just over £61m, but it is the Gunners who seem to be in pole position to bring him over to England.

His incredible goal return in Portugal suggests that this news is a blow for Amorim and for Manchester United. However, the club are reportedly eyeing up a star who could be the manager’s next version of Gyokeres.

Man Utd battling to sign Spanish striker

The Premier League giants appear to be in the process of identifying alternative options in the number nine position, as the Swedish star looks to be headed elsewhere.

Transfer Focus

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

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United are one of a number of teams eyeing up a move to sign FC Porto’s Spanish striker Samu Aghehowa in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Chelsea are all also keen on doing a deal for the former Atletico Madrid centre-forward in the coming weeks.

It states that the Portuguese giants are looking for a fee of up to £63m for the 21-year-old marksman, with United and their Premier League rivals now set to battle it out for his signature.

Whilst they appear to be on the back foot with Gyokeres, the Red Devils should push to win this race to unearth Amorim’s next version of the Sporting superstar.

Why Samu could be Gyokeres 2.0 for Amorim

The Porto marksman is similar to the Swedish ace from a physical perspective, as he stands at 6 foot 4 and has the physicality to occupy and cause problems for defenders.

In fact, talent scout Jacek Kulig once described him as a “monster” in the making due to his physicality and speed, which suggests that the forward could offer similar attributes to Gyokeres.

The Spain international’s performances in the Portuguese top-flight also suggest that he has the potential to be a prolific striker for United, albeit not as prolific as Gyokeres could be in the short-term.

Starts

23

31

xG

14.07

30.95

Goals

19

39

xG differential

+4.93

+8.05

Minutes per goal

119

72

Conversion rate

23%

28%

As you can see in the table above, Samu enjoyed a brilliant season with Porto, scoring 19 goals in 23 starts and outperforming his xG, yet still ended with 20 fewer goals than the Sporting number nine.

It is worth remembering, though, that the Spanish marksman is six years younger than Gyokeres and has plenty of time left ahead of him to hone his skills and improve his output as a scorer.

Samu, dubbed “outstanding” by journalist Josh Bunting, did also score six goals in nine matches in the Europa League, which shows that he can perform on the European stage.

Whilst he may not be the final, polished, product in comparison to the seasoned Gyokeres, the Porto star appears to have the physical and finishing attributes to develop into Amorim’s next version of the Swedish marksman, which is why he could be a shrewd signing for the club.

Twist: "Extraordinary" £60m+ star now plans to snub Man Utd to join Arsenal

The Gunners have received a boost in their pursuit of a forward, who Andrea Berta has already held talks to sign.

1 ByDominic Lund Jun 8, 2025

Manchester United are working hard to get it right in the transfer market this summer, having approached a critical juncture in INEOS’ ownership.

Things didn’t go to plan last season, with Erik ten Hag dismissed by October and his successor, Ruben Amorim, struggling to get a tune out of the suffering Red Devils, who ultimately finished 15th in the Premier League.

But with Matheus Cunha already signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers, his £62.5m release clause activated, there are signs that Old Trafford will rise again.

Man Utd open talks for new striker

Cunha is a brilliant forward, but he’s not a centre-forward. The Red Devils need a partner to field as the number nine, and contacts have been made for such a striker.

Transfer Focus

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

Expand Collapse

Manchester United are looking to replace Rasmus Hojlund this summer and have set their sights on Paris Saint-Germain forward Randal Kolo Muani, as per Tutto Juve, who has resurrected his career on loan at Juventus.

The 26-year-old Les Bleus star was on United’s radar – along with Tottenham Hotspur – in January after falling by the wayside in the French capital, though ultimately settled on a short-term stint in Turin.

Now, the above Italian report claims INEOS have made first contact with PSG for the versatile striker, although the same can be said for Newcastle United. Juventus, moreover, hope to purchase him permanently too.

What Kolo Muani would bring to Man Utd

Amorim is carefully piecing together a strikeforce capable of challenging for honours, capable of going punch for punch with the biggest hitters in the Premier League.

Kolo Muani on his A-game would certainly help in that regard. Leaving Eintracht Frankfurt to sign for PSG for around £76m in September 2023, the France international’s stock has since decreased, but he’s demonstrated with Juve his lingering quality, scoring ten goals and assisting three more across 21 matches in total.

With Cunha bringing his wide-ranging attacking skills to the table, Kolo Muani could find himself born again, thriving as the forward of a Premier League team chasing a return to European competition.

Sometimes, a change of scenery can help reignite the fire that has flickered out for a player. PSG proved to be the wrong career choice for the Frenchman, but a Man United project that he can lead that is showing signs of progress (on the transfer front, at least) is something he should consider pursuing.

Dusan Vlahovic’s Past Five League Seasons

Season

Club

Apps

Goals

Assists

24/25

Juventus

16

8

1

24/25

PSG

10

2

1

23/24

PSG

26

6

6

23/24

Frankfurt

2

1

0

22/23

Frankfurt

32

15

14

21/22

Nantes

36

12

5

Stats via Transfermarkt

United might find that Frankfurt’s €100m (£85m) valuation for Hugo Ekitike is a tad on the costly side, but they could snap up another of Die Adler’s star forwards in Kolo Muani, with that £76m price tag creeping down to a reported £50m if PSG sell this summer.

Once labelled a “superstar” by German legend Lothar Matthaus, Kolo Muani is a dynamic and incisive striker who has found his footing once again in Italy, ranked among the top 8% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues last year for touches in the attacking penalty area and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

Furthermore, to have finished the campaign with a scoring rate of 0.50 is pretty impressive, given his woes across the first half of the year. In fact, as per Sofascore, his eight-goal haul in the Italian top flight also saw just four big chances missed, which makes an interesting comment on his prolific instincts.

Working with Cunha, Amorim could create a truly devastating strikeforce (and that’s without even discussing the potential addition of Bryan Mbeumo), with the Brazilian forward having averaged 1.8 key passes per Premier League match last season, creating 13 big chances. He was instrumental in staving off relegation for the Old Gold.

Of course, Kolo Muani is not just restricted to sharpshooting. His silky and furnished attacking style lends itself to creative support, and Cunha would delight in this, having demonstrated an incredible scoring ability for Wolves.

This is exactly the kind of electric signing United need to make to bring them back to a respectable position. That famous Theatre of Dreams pull will need to come into play once again.

Related Their best signing since Bruno: £40m target now wants to join Man Utd

Manchester United could be about to make another superb signing in this summer window.

Posts 1 ByEthan Lamb Jun 22, 2025

Birmingham City fans will be counting down the days now until the bumper Championship fixture schedule is released, with the full set of matches finally out in the open for eager Blues fans next Thursday.

Then, it will be full steam ahead with pre-season matches galore, as the expectant St. Andrew’s masses clamour to see some new, major signings in the flesh.

So far, only Phil Neumann has hopped on board the Birmingham train, but there will surely be more fresh purchases to come, especially as the clock gradually starts to tick down to the start of the hotly anticipated second-tier season.

Chris Davies and Co. could be about to land a surprise new signing from the Eredivisie if reports are correct, away from ongoing pursuits of former heroes such as Demarai Gray.

Birmingham offered chance to sign Eredivisie talent

Journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed that Birmingham have been offered to chance to snap up Finnish talent Oliver Antman this summer.

Bailey does further state that Blackburn Rovers have also been offered up the same opportunity, but the Blues will hope they can flex their muscles once more in the market by snapping up the standout Go Ahead Eagles winger over Valerien Ismael’s men.

The Finland international has been a top performer in the Netherlands for some time now, and whilst there is a lot of sentimentality attached to Birmingham wanting to bring Gray back to St. Andrew’s, landing the services of Antman instead could be seen as an even more exciting purchase.

Why Antman could be a more exciting signing than Gray

After all, it’s not as if the former Blues winger has been setting the world alight in the Saudi Pro League as of late.

Transfer Focus

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

Worryingly, his output across 2024/25 so far for Al-Ettifaq has only seen the Jamaica international collect a solitary assist from 25 games, with no goals coming his way.

Therefore, the declining 28-year-old might not be cut out for the pressures of Championship football anymore, irrespective of his previous eight goals and four assists at the level with his hometown side.

Games played

32

Goals scored

6

Assists

15

Shots*

1.7

Key passes*

1.5

Big chances missed

11

Big chances created

16

On the flip side, when assessing the table above, Antman looks more than ready to cause havoc in the demanding division, with the 23-year-old very much at the peak of his powers in the Dutch top-flight currently.

Whilst Gray has unfortunately receded into his shell in the Middle East, the ex-FC Nordsjælland attacker has exploded into life on the books of the Eredivisie side, with a mammoth 16 big chances created across his 32 league clashes, away from tallying up a stellar record of six goals and 15 assists.

To add further context, the waning Al-Ettifaq number 11 only managed to create four big chances across the same period, with Birmingham needing to cut all emotion from their transfer dealings if they want to significantly strengthen their options.

Instead of going after Gray, they must prioritise a move for Antman, with football talent scout Jacek Kulig even going on to hail the 23-year-old’s “creative” prowess recently.

With seven goals under his belt too on the international stage with Finland, it feels as if the Go Ahead Eagles ace could soon take the English game by storm.

Antman’s creative excellence will also be music to the ears of the likes of Jay Stansfield and Alfie May, as a new, exciting Championship campaign begins to hurtle into view.

Stansfield 2.0: Birmingham City keen on signing "dynamite" £10m forward

Birmingham City would seriously improve their attacking options in the Championship by snapping up this promising talent.

1 ByKelan Sarson Jun 19, 2025

It’s only June, and Arsenal have already been in more than their fair share of transfer sagas.

The big one has undoubtedly focused on the potential deal for Benjamin Sesko and, by extension, Viktor Gyokeres, who looks like the backup option.

Then there was the questionable jeopardy around the deal for Martin Zubimendi and the potential hijack from Real Madrid, which has thankfully been quashed by the likes of Fabrizio Romano and Sami Mokbel.

Finally, another saga that followed the club from last season concerned Nico Williams. Although recent reports are to be believed, Arsenal might now be looking at someone who’d be a better deal than the Spaniard.

Arsenal's search for a Williams alternative

The first serious links to Williams for Arsenal emerged last summer, off the back of a brilliant season for Athletic Bilbao and then a sensational European Championships with Spain.

Transfer Focus

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

However, even though nothing came of the Gunners’ supposed interest in the talented winger, links reappeared in the winter window and again in a big way earlier this summer.

Unfortunately, the dynamic 22-year-old has understandably caught the attention of several other top sides, and based on stories from the last week or so, it looks like he’ll be making his way to Spanish champions Barcelona this summer.

While it’s never ideal to miss out on a player as exciting as Williams, it’s not all doom and gloom, as the North Londoners now appear to be interested in someone who could be a better deal than the Bilbao gem: Noni Madueke.

At least that is according to a recent report from the Independent’s Chief Football Writer, Miguel Delaney, who has revealed that Arsenal are interested in the Chelsea winger.

In fact, the report claims that the Gunners have already made contact with the Blues over a potential move for the former Spurs academy star.

However, there is a sticking point: the West Londoners want up to £50m for the 23-year-old, which is a figure Andrea Berta and Co are not interested in going near.

It could be a complicated and somewhat costly transfer, but given Madueke’s ability and potential, it’s one worth pursuing, especially as he could be a far better deal than Williams.

Why Madueke could be a better deal than Williams

Now, it should go without saying that signing either winger would help add more dynamism to Arsenal’s attack next season, but there are a few reasons why Madueke might end up proving a better deal than Williams, and the first relates to experience.

The Englishman might only be a year older than the Spaniard, but that is not the experience we are discussing here. Instead, we are talking about the former’s familiarity with the Premier League.

This is seriously important for the Gunners as they desperately need whoever they sign this summer to come in and hit the ground running next season, as fans and pundits alike have already made it crystal clear that they expect Arteta and Co to finally get over the line in the league.

The Bilbao gem might be more than comfortable in La Liga and would likely become so in England, but there’s a realistic chance that he would require some time to bed in, time which could prove costly in a closely fought title race.

Moreover, despite the excitement around the Pamplona-born dynamo, the Blues star’s output from this season actually makes for better reading.

Madueke vs Williams 24/25
Players	Madueke	Williams
Appearances	43	45
Minutes	2521′	3130′
Goals	11	11
Assists	5	7
Goal Involvements per Match	0.37	0.4
Minutes per Goal Involvement	157.56′	173.88′
All Stats via Transfermarkt

For example, in 43 appearances, totalling 2521 minutes, the Barnet-born “mentality monster,” as dubbed by personal coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst, scored 11 goals and provided five assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.68 games, or every 157.56 minutes.

In contrast, the 28-capped Spaniard scored as many goals and provided seven assists in 45 appearances, totalling 3130 minutes, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 2.5 games, but more crucially, one every 173.88 minutes.

Yet, if even that is not enough to convince you, then perhaps the fact the Chelsea gem has the better underlying numbers might.

Yes, according to FBref, the “unbelievable” dynamo, as dubbed by former manager Mauricio Pochettino, comes out on top in the majority of relevant metrics, such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists, shots and shots on target, progressive carries and more, all per 90.

Madueke vs Williams
Statistics per 90	Madueke	Williams
Non-Penalty Expected G+As	0.61	0.35
Progressive Passes	3.05	3.11
Progressive Carries	6.81	5.32
Shots	3.54	2.43
Shots on Target	1.33	0.86
Passing Accuracy	77.4%	70.5%
Key Passes	1.42	1.80
Shot-Creating Actions	3.50	5.05
Tackles	1.11	1.26
Interceptions	0.44	0.32
Clearances	0.49	0.41
Successful Take-On %	44.1%	36.4%
Carries into the Penalty Area	4.12	2.61
All Stats via FBref for the 24/25 League Season

On top of being a creative outlet through his carrying and passing abilities, the former PSV gem also comes out ahead for some defensive statistics, proving that he’s not just a flair player but someone who will come back and help out his full-back when needed.

Ultimately, Williams is an undeniable talent and perhaps someone easier to envision becoming a superstar.

Nonetheless, from output to the numbers under the hood, Madueke has him beat, and considering his familiarity with English football and the Premier League, he might just represent a better deal for Arsenal this summer.

He's more exciting than Zubimendi: Arsenal looking to sign £70m "superstar"

Arsenal could make an even more exciting signing than Martin Zubimendi.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jun 24, 2025