All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

Liverpool have played the long game recruitment-wise, and boy, does it look to be paying off now.

12 months ago, rival supporters were no doubt sneering at the Reds’ lack of transfer activity, with the Anfield side – who had seen the great Jurgen Klopp replaced by Arne Slot – expected to implode with only Federico Chiesa brought in to bolster the ranks.

A new manager normally calls for a mass overhaul, but instead, the Dutchman merely tweaked and tinkered, ultimately steering an already talented squad to Premier League glory at the very first attempt.

A quiet 2024 window now looks to have paid even greater dividends for the imperious champions, with £187m already dished out on five signings this summer, while further high-profile deals could lie in store for the financially secure outfit.

Recent reports have indicated that Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi is expected to be on his way to Anfield, while Newcastle United man Alexander Isak remains the dream target for those on Merseyside.

Whether that ‘dream’ becomes a reality is anyone’s guess, however, with alternatives to the Swede still under consideration.

Latest on Liverpool's transfer dealings

They say to strengthen while on top, and that appears to be exactly what Richard Hughes and co are plotting, with reports outlining that a £120m move could be in the offing for that man Isak.

The Magpies are adamant that the former Real Sociedad striker won’t be sold, however, hence why Liverpool are keeping their options open, with speculation even hinting at controversial interest in Manchester United outcast, Marcus Rashford.

That admiration for the Englishman is unlikely to go any further, however, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike the man being lined up in case Isak can’t be prised from St James’ Park.

Transfer Focus

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

As revealed by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the Reds made contact with the Bundesliga side regarding a potential move for the 23-year-old, amid that parallel interest in Isak.

That has been followed by further reports in France, which suggest that Ekitike has even agreed personal terms with the club, after signing off on a six-year contract with the Merseyside outfit.

The suggestion is that he only wants to join Slot’s side, despite the rival pursuit from Newcastle.

Games (starts)

32 (26)

33 (31)

Goals

6

15

Mins per goal

359min

172min

Big chances missed

11

16

Assists

2

8

Big chances created

7

12

Key passes*

0.6

1.3

Successful dribbles*

1.4

1.6

Total duels won*

42%

41%

A price tag of around €80m (£70m) has been mooted. Watch this space.

Why Ekitike could have shades of Coutinho

It is no secret that Isak is the man that Liverpool want, with there likely to be a sense of Ekitike being left to feel like second choice, should a deal for the former France U21 international be pursued instead.

A move for the Frankfurt man may well be more with one eye on the future, however, with there no immediate rush to propel him into the starting lineup at Anfield, not least with Slot already boasting a title-winning forward line.

Fresh off the back of scoring 22 goals in all competitions last season, Ekitike could be slowly integrated into the team in 2025/26, before truly exploding in years to come. Already looking like “one of the best strikers out there”, as per analyst Ben Mattinson, there is no telling the heights that he could reach.

In many ways then, such a deal could evoke memories of the purchase of a young Philippe Coutinho back in January 2013, with Liverpool forking out £8.5m to sign the then 20-year-old from Inter Milan, ahead of rival interest from Southampton.

Like Ekitike – who only scored four goals in 33 games during a difficult stint at Paris Saint-Germain – Coutinho hadn’t exactly flourished during his time in Italy, making just 47 appearances and scoring only five times in total at the San Siro.

It was a loan switch to Espanyol in January 2012 that appeared to reinvigorate the Vasco de Gama youth product, as he scored five times in just 16 games in Spain. Ekitike, meanwhile, joined Frankfurt on an initial loan 18 months ago, scoring four times in just 14 league games at the tail-end of 2023/24.

Like Coutinho, Ekitike appears to have flourished away from the bright lights of an elite club like PSG, although that’s not to suggest he can’t thrive second time around by joining another European giant in Liverpool.

What particularly stands out regarding the “world-class” talent – as per scout Jacek Kulig – is the creative ability that goes along with his ball-striking prowess, having registered eight assists and created 12 ‘big chances’ in the Bundesliga last time out, as per Sofascore. For comparison, only Mohamed Salah provided more league assists (18) back at Anfield.

That blend of creativity and quality in front of goal was also evident during Coutinho’s fruitful stint for the Reds, having scored 54 goals and registered 44 assists in 201 games, prior to his £142m exit to Barcelona.

Where the pair – who can both operate centrally or in that left channel – are also alike is in their ball-carrying prowess, with Ekitike ranking in the top 4% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues for both progressive carries and successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

For Coutinho, his final season in the Premier League for Liverpool saw him rank in the top 1% and the top 4% of midfielders for those same two metrics, respectively, having possessed that gift for breezing past an opponent with ease.

Having been an exciting young prospect initially under Brendan Rodgers, the Brazilian playmaker ultimately emerged as a central figure for the club over the next few years, with the chance there for Ekitike – alongside Florian Wirtz – to enjoy a similar progression when Salah’s impact ultimately begins to wane.

A better signing than Ekitike: Liverpool in talks to land £50m PL striker

Liverpool are considering their options amid links to both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.

1 ByMatt Dawson Jul 16, 2025

Everton are now close to signing a “strong” £34 million player after agreeing personal terms, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Everton set to turn to alternative targets after missing out on Tete

Signing a new right-back has become one of David Moyes’ priorities in this transfer window, as the club decided to let Ashley Young leave, following the expiration of his contract. Seamus Coleman has signed a new one-year deal to remain, but Moyes wants more competition in that area of the team and earmarked Fulham’s Kenny Tete as a target.

Everton considering shock move to sign £40k-p/w ace likened to Messi

The Toffees could cause a shock…

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 29, 2025

The Toffees were confident of landing the defender after discussing details over a contract, but instead, Tete decided to sign a new contract at Fulham and remain at Craven Cottage. The right-back has extended his stay until 2028 and believes Fulham is a “special club where he can develop”.

This news means Everton have to continue their search for a new right-back, and the BBC have reported that alternative targets for the Toffees could include Kyle Walker-Peters, who is a free agent after leaving Southampton, or Vladimir Coufal, who is also a free agent and knows Moyes well from their time at West Ham.

While they assess their options for a new right-back, the Premier League side appear to be closing in on their second signing of the summer.

Everton close to signing £34m Barry after agreeing personal terms

According to Romano, Everton are now close to signing striker Thierno Barry from Spanish side Villarreal.

The Italian states that the deal has advanced, as the Toffees and the player have now agreed personal terms; all that remains are the final details, and then this transfer is complete.

It’s been widely reported that Barry has a release clause worth £34 million, and Villarreal’s sporting director, Fernando Roig Nogueroles, has been clear that if the player is to leave, it will be for around that price.

He said: “We want the player, and if he were to leave, it would have to be, if not for the release clause, something very close to it. If not, he won’t leave.”

Apps

35

Starts

25

Goals

11

xG

12.41

Goals per game

0.3

Shots on target per game

0.7

Goal conversion

15%

Assists

4

xAG

1.95

Big chances created

7

The Toffees are said to be prepared to pay that sum of money but may look to pay in installments to reach that figure in total. The arrival of Barry, who has been dubbed a “strong physique”, has just got more important for Everton, as on Monday, Dominic Calvert-Lewin announced that he was leaving the club following the end of his contract, meaning options at the top end of the pitch have just become even lighter.

Barry’s expected arrival will likely see him become Moyes’ regular striker, as his physical presence and stature make him the perfect striker in a Moyes team.

Southampton have “agreed a fee” with a club over the sale of an “incredible” Saints player, according to a fresh claim from journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Will Still outlines plans as Southampton manager

Will Still has begun life as Southampton’s new manager, with the Englishman looking to back up his reputation as an exciting young coach with a big future in the game.

The 32-year-old has already spoken well since taking charge at St Mary’s Stadium, outlining what he wants to see from his team in a tactical sense.

“I don’t like to sit in and wait and be passive in what we do. I’d like our teams to dominate, to go and press, to be as aggressive as we can be. I don’t do that just for the fact of running and to say, oh, we’re going to be really aggressive. We want to be high up the pitch and in the opposition’s third as much as possible.

“It’s been entertaining. I want the players to enjoy it. I want the fans, obviously, to get on board and support it. But it’s (about) creating that environment where we’re here to win and we want to win a lot. We want to win consistently.”

The pressure will be on Still to guide Southampton straight back into the Premier League from the Championship, and he will know that new signings are vital. There are also players who will leave after Saints’ relegation, however, and a key update has emerged regarding one such figure.

"Incredible" Southampton attacker set to leave

Writing on X, Romano reported that Southampton have “agreed a fee” with Trabzonspor over the £6.8m sale of striker Paul Onuachu from St Mary’s.

Seeing Onuachu depart is a shame, given his popularity among Southampton supporters, with his giant stature and unique style making him something of a cult hero.

The Nigerian is a good footballer in his own right, however, scoring four Premier League goals last season and being lauded by Ivan Juric: “He’s an incredible guy, always training hard. He has some good things and some bad things he can do better, but he’s one of those guys that is always working hard.”

The fact that Onuachu only has one year remaining on his current Southampton deal means that selling him now is the sensible decision, though, allowing the club to receive a healthy amount of money that can be used on new signings this summer.

Southampton and Still want to sign new £4m+ forward with 11 goals in 24/25

The Saints are looking for a swift return to the Premier League.

BySean Markus Clifford May 30, 2025

A new striker will be needed in his place, though, and Still has to nail his replacement, in order to give his side the best possible chance of a quickfire return to the top flight.

Despite winning the Europa League, Spurs’ first trophy in 17 years, Tottenham Hotspur will head into the 2025/26 season under a new manager in Thomas Frank.

Daniel Levy made the call to sack Ange Postecoglou and bring in Frank, who he may well back in the transfer market with Champions League football on offer once again.

AI predicts the 2025/26 Premier League table

Who are the winners and losers from AI’s table?

1 ByCharlie Smith Jun 7, 2025

Spurs have already signed Mathys Tel on a permanent transfer worth £30m, and AI thinks a further £180m could be spent on three more players ahead of the Premier League opener against Burnley.

Grok, the AI tool on X, has predicted who will be in Frank’s Spurs’ starting line-up for the 25/26 season in a 4-3-3 formation.

AI predicts Tottenham’s 2025/26 starting line-up 1 GK: Guglielmo Vicario

Starting in goal, Guglielmo Vicario has been backed to get the nod ahead of Antonin Kinsky under Frank.

Games

74

Clean sheets

16

Goals conceded

105

Described as a ‘reliable shot-stopper and a leader in the dressing room’, AI says ‘Vicario’s place is secure unless a major upgrade becomes available’.

2 RB: Pedro Porro

Despite rumours of a move away, Pedro Porro is expected to ‘continue as the first-choice right-back under Frank, who values dynamic full-backs’.

The Spainard’s ‘attacking flair and crossing ability make him a key asset’, and he’s now made more appearances for Spurs than any of his previous clubs.

3 CB: Marc Guehi

Cristian Romero has been linked with a move away from north London, which has resulted in AI predicting Marc Guehi to replace the Argentine at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs tried and failed with a bid for Guehi in January, but they have been backed to sign the Crystal Palace star at a cost of £60m, who will offer ‘composure, leadership, and Premier League experience’.

4 CB: Micky van de Ven

AI says ‘Guehi and Micky van de Ven could form a rapid, modern center-back partnership’, with the speedy Dutch defender hopefully back to full fitness in 25/26.

Micky van de Ven

37.1km/h

Matheus Nunes

36.7km/h

Bryan Mbeumo

36.6km/h

Yankuba Minteh

36.4km/h

Anthony Elanga

36.2km/h

Van de Ven only made 13 Premier League appearances last season, but if he is available, he should be a regular under Frank, whose ‘high line system suits his recovery speed’.

5 LB: Destiny Udogie

Another defender who missed large parts of the 24/25 season through injury was left-back Destiny Udogie.

The Italian is labelled by AI as ‘one of Europe’s most promising full-backs’ due to his power and versatility, and if he can remain fit, should start under Frank.

6 DM: Morten Hjulmand

With ‘Frank expected to prioritize a deep-lying playmaker’, fellow Dane Morten Hjulmand has been backed to join Spurs in a £50m transfer.

Currently at Sporting CP, Hjulmand ‘fits the bill with his passing range and defensive nous’, and he ‘would anchor the midfield, allowing others to push forward’.

7 CM: Rodrigo Bentancur

Ahead of Hjulmand is Rodrigo Bentancur following his strong finish to the 24/25 season, and he could be the ideal option in a box-to-box role.

The Uruguayan’s ‘versatility and work rate suit Frank’s high-pressing system’, according to AI, however, he is only under contract until 2026.

8 CM: Eberechi Eze

Completing the midfield is Eberechi Eze, who is backed to join Guehi in leaving Crystal Palace for Tottenham.

Eze has a £70m price tag and his ‘creativity, dribbling, and goal threat would replace James Maddison in the attacking midfield role’. AI has doubts over Maddison due to his injury issues and inconsistent form, which could open the door for Spurs to finally land the Eagles star.

9 RW: Dejan Kulusevski

With target Bryan Mbeumo on course to move to Man Utd, Spurs are predicted to have Dejan Kulusevski on the right hand side under Frank.

The Sweden international is still under contract in north London until 2028 and has been an important player for Tottenham when fully fit, contributing to 55 goals in 146 games.

10 LW: Mathys Tel

Confirmed as a permanent Tottenham player for £30m from Bayern Munich, Mathys Tel’s ‘versatility and potential make him a likely starter’ in attack.

The Frenchman made 17 appearances on the left-wing last season, contributing to five goals, so Tel has been backed to get the nod there under Frank.

The summer transfer window has now closed. Well, the first window, in any case, opened to accommodate the needs of the incipient Club World Cup.

For Newcastle United, concrete movements have been withheld at this stage, albeit with the completion of Lloyd Kelly’s permanent move to Juventus banking £20m for the Tynesiders.

Eddie Howe does want improvements as his Magpies swoop back into the Champions League, however. England defender Marc Guehi and Brentford’s right-sided superstar Bryan Mbeumo have been shortlisted, but the latter has since stressed his desire to sign for Manchester United.

With Miguel Almiron having departed in January, right wing remains a priority position, and Newcastle have centred their sights on an interesting Mbeumo alternative.

Newcastle begin talks for new forward

Amid speculation over moves for Premier League wingers Anthony Elanga and Mohammed Kudus, it’s another plying their trade in England that’s of attention right now.

Indeed, according to transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Newcastle have opened talks with Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro, with Howe a huge fan and the Seagulls ready to sell.

Available for a figure below £60m, the 23-year-old would fall into a similar financial ballpark as the £60m-rated Mbeumo, thus confirming United have the means to launch an official bid.

Pedro has even expressed a desire to play for Newcastle in a different role – and as it happens, Howe needs some more firepower on the right flank.

Why Newcastle should sign Joao Pedro

Two years ago, having signed for Brighton from Watford in a deal of roughly £30m, Pedro has established himself as one of the most dynamic forwards in England’s top tier, posting 30 goals and ten assists across 70 appearances.

Not just a goalscorer, Pedro ranked among the top 1% of forwards during the 2024/25 Premier League season for assists, the top 17% for passes attempted and shot-creating actions, and the top 12% for progressive passes per 90, as per FBref.

As it happens, such balanced performances have drawn Mbeumo up as one of his most comparable players. The Cameroon international, principally a right winger but more than capable as a focal frontman, scored 20 goals across 38 top-flight fixtures last year.

But he’s not just a marksman: Mbeumo created 17 big chances, and completed 1.4 dribbles and won 4.2 duels on average across the year; Pedro, meanwhile, created 11 big chances, averaging 1.1 dribbles and 4.9 duels per outing, metrics courtesy of Sofascore.

With Brighton’s star forward showcasing such an exciting range of creative and athletic qualities, and with a wealth of experience across various attacking roles, it might just be a deal that works out for the Toon, having profiled Mbeumo extensively.

Centre-forward

119

34

18

Left winger

40

14

0

Attacking midfield

27

11

1

Right winger

5

0

0

Mbeumo might be the talk of the town in the goalscoring department, but Pedro’s not exactly a shoddy shooter himself. In fact, content creator Ryan Adsett has praised the star’s “world-class” finishing, drawing attention to his “magnificent technique.”

Moreover, the Brazilian’s willingness to play ‘out of position’ bespeaks his intelligence and maturity, for he understands Alexander Isak is a moveless monolith at number nine, so staggeringly good at his job that few – if any – strikers playing football today would be able to take his place.

Who knows, Pedro’s ability to thrive across any number of areas could see him become an even better fit in the long term than the Bees man, with Howe known to use such protean profiles, like that of Anthony Gordon, across the frontline.

If Pedro really is willing to play out on the right to best serve the Newcastle project, this has got to be a deal PIF see over the line. His dynamism and desire to play at St. James’ Park suggest he could become the latest superstar created under Howe’s wing.

Better than Elanga: Newcastle holding talks over "generational" £84m star

Newcastle are in the market for a new right-sided forward this summer.

ByAngus Sinclair Jun 10, 2025

Leeds United have now made contact with the representatives of a “clinical” striker who has 88 Premier League goals to his name, according to a report.

Leeds stepping up pursuit of new striker

Joel Piroe was the top scorer in the Championship in the 2024-25 season, netting 19 goals, while also showcasing his creative talents by picking up seven assists, but there are doubts over whether the Dutchman should be selected to lead the line in the Premier League.

Piroe has no experience in the top flight, having spent the majority of his career in the second tier, and the Whites are now stepping up their pursuit of a new striker, identifying several potential options from across Europe.

Contact has been made over a deal for Hamburg striker Davie Selke, while Daniel Farke’s side are also in the race for AC Milan striker Tammy Abraham, who, of course, has experience in the Premier League from his time with Chelsea.

According to a report from Leeds Live, however, Leeds have now made an approach for a striker with a more recent track record of success in the top flight, namely Newcastle United’s Callum Wilson, having made contact to discuss a deal with the Englishman’s representatives.

The Whites are said to hold a genuine interest in Wilson, who joined Newcastle from AFC Bournemouth for a fee of £20m, but is now in line to leave on a free transfer when his contract expires this summer.

The Newcastle marksman isn’t the only option on the shortlist, however, with Farke’s side exploring a number of different options, as the manager looks to rebuild his squad ahead of their return to the Premier League next season.

A better signing than Phillips: Leeds eye move for "phenomenal" £10m star

Leeds United should prioritise this phenomenal signing over attempting to bring back Kalvin Phillips to Elland Road.

2 ByKelan Sarson Jun 3, 2025 "Clinical" Wilson has solid track record in the Premier League

Prior to Alexander Isak’s arrival at St. James’ Park, the former Bournemouth man was the main man for Newcastle in attack, and he netted 18 Premier League goals during the 2022-23 campaign, during which Isak struggled with injury setbacks.

The Coventry-born striker has 88 top-flight goals to his name and 143 total for club and country, so his vast experience could be of great use to a Leeds side whose primary goal will undoubtedly be avoiding relegation next season.

Such is the 33-year-old’s attacking prowess, he was once lauded as “clinical” by The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, and if he is able to rediscover his previous form, he could be an excellent addition to Farke’s squad this summer.

That said, there will be concerns over the fact that Wilson has struggled with injuries in recent times, being sidelined for 29 games during the 2024-25 campaign, which meant he managed to score just one goal in all competitions across the entire season.

Manchester United have turned more corners than a Formula 1 driver over the last decade or so, with every seemingly positive step followed by a hefty tumble backwards in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Only last year, the Red Devils were riding high after seeing off rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final, a moment that looked like one which could kickstart the Erik ten Hag regime. Less than six months later, the under-fire Dutchman was belatedly shown the door.

Even under the new Ruben Amorim reign, high points such as the statement performances at the Etihad and Anfield failed to inspire a consistent run of form, with the Portuguese’s debut campaign ending on a deserved sour note amid last week’s Europa League final defeat.

That limp showing will now have real ramifications heading into the upcoming summer window, with Amorim already admitting that he will likely work with a smaller squad due to the lack of European football, while incomings may also be at a premium.

Indeed, the suggestion remains that the Old Trafford side will need to sell before they can buy, with exits for the likes of Antony, Jadon Sancho and the exiled Marcus Rashford set to be prioritised by Amorim and INEOS.

The gutting of the squad could not only impact the ‘deadwood’, however, with a handful of key figures also facing uncertain futures. One deal, in particular, could evoke echoes of the past.

Man United's biggest transfer mistakes

Starting with more recent sales, there is more than a tinge of regret over the £25m sale of academy graduate, Scott McTominay, with Scotland star having scored 12 goals as the MVP of Napoli’s Serie A triumph this season, after being deemed surplus to requirements back in Manchester.

That decision to cash in will sting considering United’s current woes, although it’s worth remembering that McTominay had actually only started 18 Premier League games last term. Hardly an irreplaceable figure.

The same goes for the likes of Anthony Elanga and Dean Henderson too, even with the 2023 sales having enjoyed fine seasons at their new clubs. Indeed, Elanga has helped to steer Nottingham Forest to Conference League qualification, while Henderson starred in Crystal Palace’s FA Cup final masterclass.

Again, in hindsight, those deals may appear a mistake, although Elanga had scored just four goals in 55 games for United, while Henderson was never able to truly dislodge David De Gea during his stint in the first team.

Looking further back, it is hard to think of too many departing stars who have truly gone on to sparkle elsewhere. Danny Welbeck did end the campaign with ten league goals for Brighton, although he had endured an injury-ravaged time at Arsenal after leaving United, scoring just 32 goals in total for the Gunners.

In the view of Jose Mourinho, Welbeck – alongside Javier Hernandez and Angel Di Maria – were players the Red Devils should “never” have sold, albeit with Di Maria never managing to settle in Manchester, while Hernandez has hardly ripped things up since his 2014 exit, notably scoring just 17 times in a forgettable spell for West Ham United.

Prior to that, questions are likely to be asked of Ferguson for allowing Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez to depart in the summer of 2009. Ronaldo, however, was hellbent on joining Real Madrid, with United at least raking in a world record fee. As for Tevez, the Argentine had seemingly “downed tools” under ‘Fergie’, in the view of teammate Gary Neville.

The Scotsman himself has pointed to the sale of Jaap Stam in 2001 as arguably “his biggest mistake”, although it is the decision to let go of another centre-back – Gerard Pique – that perhaps ranks among his greatest errors. Is that move about to be repeated?

Why Man Utd sold Gerard Pique

It was almost 17 years ago that a young Pique was allowed to return to boyhood club, Barcelona, after four years in England, with the LaLiga outfit – and new boss Pep Guardiola – forking out just £5m for his services.

The promising defender had failed to usurp Ferguson’s starting pairing of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, prior to his exit, with former colleague Wayne Rooney stating that the Spaniard had lost the manager’s faith after being “bullied” in a game against Bolton Wanderers in 2007.

A peripheral figure in Manchester, the now legendary Pique went on to become a central part of Barca’s success over the next decade or so, having memorably started in the Champions League final in 2009, in which Guardiola’s men ran out 2-0 winners in Rome.

In all, the ball-playing hero would score 53 goals in 616 games at Camp Nou, winning a plethora of major honours that include three European titles and nine Spanish titles – alongside a World Cup and European Championship with La Roja.

A “phenomenon” whom his compatriot and colleague Carlos Puyol described as the “best central defender in the world” in 2019, Pique represents one that got away as far as United are concerned.

The same could be set to happen with Alejandro Garnacho…

Selling Garnacho would be Man Utd's biggest mistake in 17 years

There are no doubt parallels between Pique and young Garnacho, with the wing wizard having also been plucked from Spain as a teenager in the summer of 2020, after signing from Atletico Madrid for a fee of just £420k.

Like Pique too, the Argentine could be set for a swift exit at such a young age, with the 20-year-old in line to follow in the footsteps of the centre-back, who was 21 when he left Manchester 17 years ago.

The suggestion is that Garnacho – who was left out of United’s win over Aston Villa on the final day of the season – has been told by Amorim that he can leave this summer, having also started on the bench in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao.

The £50k-per-week winger publicly outlined his disappointment at that decision following the 1-0 loss, albeit with Amorim pointing to the “big opportunity” that the player had missed in the semi-final second-leg victory over Athletic Club.

And so, even despite racking up 21 goals and assists this season, finishing behind only Bruno Fernandes in that regard, the rising star looks in line for an exit, having previously been the subject of a bid from Napoli in January.

Fernandes himself has been touted for a departure of his own, amid interest from Saudi side Al Hilal, although whether Amorim and INEOS would sanction a sale remains to be seen.

Equally, with the talismanic skipper set to turn 31 in September, it could be argued that his best days may well be behind him, after 5 years of magnificent service. For Garnacho, by contrast, his peak years are likely to be ahead of him.

Bruno Fernandes

39

19

20

Alejandro Garnacho

21

11

10

Amad Diallo

20

11

9

Rasmus Hojlund

14

10

5

Joshua Zirkzee

10

7

3

Marcus Rashford

10

7

3

Christian Eriksen

10

5

5

Casemiro

8

5

3

Diogo Dalot

8

3

5

Manuel Ugarte

8

2

6

Thankfully, unlike Pique, United could look to rake in a sizeable fee if they do indeed cash in on the Spain-born starlet, with a £60-£70m price tag having been mooted. That said, even amid the benefits of meeting PSR regulations, would this not be an almighty mistake?

This writer was at Old Trafford the day that Garnacho announced himself to the United faithful after scoring a brilliant brace in the FA Youth Cup final, with the scrawny teenager stealing the limelight after replicating the celebration of his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo.

The words ‘Viva Garnacho’ have rung out in Manchester since that day, not least when supporters have demanded his introduction off the bench to change a game, with the electric talent one of few who regularly gets the crowd off their seats. As journalist Samuel Luckhurst noted, he is a “game-changer”.

Also described as a “diamond” by talent scout Jacek Kulig in the past, Garnacho has enjoyed a catalogue of fine moments, be it his stoppage time winner at Fulham in November 2022; his clincher away at Elland Road just a few months later; or even his remarkable overhead kick against Everton at Goodison Park last season.

His crowning moment, of course, came following his opener at Wembley in last year’s showpiece, with it showcasing a sorry state of affairs that both he and Kobbie Mainoo now face uncertain futures at the club.

As The Telegraph’s James Ducker has noted, selling Garnacho, in particular, “would come with all sorts of warnings”, with INEOS needing to be certain that such players will be “replaced with upgrades”.

A player once described as looking “like a young Cristiano”, according to Paul Scholes, Garnacho actually boasts a greater scoring record for United than the great Ronaldo, before turning 21. Is this a player whom the Old Trafford hierarchy should really be selling?

Yes, there may be doubts over his suitability to Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, but that should not define his future. Equally, concerns over his attitude have rumbled on since Ten Hag’s early days, but that is perhaps to be expected over a player still learning his trade.

There is, of course, a need to rip up this squad and start again, although if drawing up a list of players who need to be sold, Garnacho should surely be nowhere near the front of the queue…

Xavi believed Man Utd star was the 'best midfielder' in the world and as good as Iniesta

He claims the United legend would have got in Barcelona’s iconic team…

ByBen Goodwin May 26, 2025

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Gus Poyet has backed Enzo Maresca to get Chelsea challenging for a league title next season.

Blues still on track for Champions League qualification

It has been a mixed season for the Blues, with qualification for the Champions League still very much in their grasp, although their task has been made much more difficult after the disappointing 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United last weekend.

If Maresca’s side do manage to get over the line, the campaign is likely to be viewed as a success, although their heavy spending under BlueCo ownership means they should have loftier ambitions in the future.

After a trophy-laden period under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, the west Londoners are yet to win a trophy since the arrival of Todd Boehly, which is something that will need to change in the very near future.

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That is according to former Chelsea man Poyet, who gave his thoughts on Maresca’s first season in charge, in partnership with BetBrain.

The 57-year-old said: “I think for him, Chelsea winning the European competition will be the platform to build on for next season. It’s always important winning a trophy for Chelsea and you cannot lose that.

The Uruguayan also suggested that while it would be a success to win the Europa Conference League, the Blues will need to start competing for major honours next season, saying the manager will know how: “Winning the European competition would be amazing. With all respects to them, two years ago they were young.

“They’re not young anymore, they’ve already played 80 games in the Premier League, so next year there is no excuses. They have to be better and they have to be more competitive? How? Well, the coach knows better than me what he needs.”

Maresca must start competing for major honours

Few would have predicted Maresca winning the Premier League in his first season at Stamford Bridge, and should his side manage to seal a top-five finish, it will be fantastic to return to the Champions League after a two-year absence from the competition.

However, Blues fans have become accustomed to success over the years, having won two Champions Leagues in the Abramovich era, and merely qualifying for Europe’s elite competition shouldn’t become the norm.

Although there may be some concerns about the form in the second half of the season, there has been some cause for optimism of late, with Chelsea securing crucial victories over the likes of Liverpool and Fulham.

Not only that, but BlueCo have already started work on potential summer signings, having identified some exciting targets in a range of different positions, so there is a clear ambition to kick on next season and challenge for the league.

Player

Current club

Potential cost

Victor Osimhen

Napoli

£60m

Nico Williams

Athletic Club

£48m

Morgan Rogers

Aston Villa

£90m

Dean Huijsen

AFC Bournemouth

£50m

Gregor Kobel

Borussia Dortmund

£47m

Arsenal are preparing for a first Champions League semi-final since 2009 after defeating defending European champions Real Madrid.

The Gunners were 3-0 up from the first leg thanks to Declan Rice’s double and Mikel Merino’s strike, and sensationally won 2-1 at the Bernabeu after a late winner from Gabriel Martinelli.

Their reward is a tie against Paris Saint-Germain, with the winner heading to Munich to face either Barcelona or Inter.

The last week or so has seen Arsenal add to their prestigious list of memorable European nights, with their first-leg victory over Los Blancos arguably the greatest night the Emirates Stadium has ever seen.

With that in mind, here is a look at the best European matches in the club’s illustrious history.

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ByStephan Georgiou Apr 15, 2025 11 Roma 1-0 Arsenal (6-7 on penalties) 2008/09 Champions League, round of 16 second leg

After securing a 1-0 win at home, Arsenal went to Rome’s Stadio Olimpico in 2009 hoping to finish the job without any major issues.

However, the Gunners fell behind pretty quickly, with Juan levelling the aggregate scoreline inside 10 minutes.

With no further goals on the night, a shootout was required, and despite Eduardo’s miss for the visitors, Manuel Almunia saved from Mirko Vucinic and Max Tonetto blazed over to send Arsene Wenger’s side through to the last eight.

10 Arsenal 2-0 Juventus 2005/06 Champions League, quarter-final first leg

Arsenal delivered one of their finest results in the Champions League when seeing off Juventus in the first leg of their quarter-final in 2006.

Buoyed by eliminating Real Madrid in the previous round, the home side went ahead through Cesc Fabregas, who slotted past Gianluigi Buffon just before the break.

Thierry Henry then scored against his former club to double Arsenal’s advantage and cap a magical night at Highbury, with the Old Lady held to a goalless draw in the second leg in Turin.

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ByBen Browning Feb 14, 2025 9 Arsenal 3-0 Anderlecht 1969/70 Fairs Cup, final second leg

It feels strange to put a final so low on this list, but 55 years on, Arsenal’s victory against Anderlecht in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup to secure their first European trophy would be worth a mention in any case.

Down 3-1 from the first leg, Ray Kennedy’s consolation in Belgium would set up a superb comeback at Highbury.

Eddie Kelly got the ball rolling in north London, before two goals in two minutes from John Radford and Jon Sammels handed the Gunners the trophy.

Bertie Mee’s side would go on to win the league and cup double the following season.

8 Arsenal 1-0 Porto (4-2 on penalties) 2023/24 Champions League, round of 16 second leg

Arsenal had been out of the Champions League for six seasons before their long-awaited return in 2023/24, with their wait for a quarter-final stretching back to 2010.

So when they went 1-0 down late on against Porto in the first leg, history looked like repeating itself, with Arsenal’s last seven Champions League campaigns ending at the last-16 stage.

Leandro Trossard put Mikel Arteta’s side in front on the night, but there were no more goals on a tense night in north London.

Thankfully, the Gunners were faultless from the spot, with David Raya’s save from first-leg hero Galeno sparking wild celebrations at the Emirates.

7 Milan 0-2 Arsenal 2007/08 Champions League, round of 16 second leg

Arsenal were underdogs heading into their clash in the San Siro to face reigning European champions Milan, but came away with one of their best results on the road in Europe.

A goalless draw at the Emirates meant a score draw would be enough to send the Gunners through without the need for extra time, but if anything, it looked as though another 0-0 was on its way.

Six minutes from time, Cesc Fabregas picked the ball up in the centre of the field and unleashed a shot from 30 yards, which somehow found the corner to all but seal the result for Arsenal.

Emmanuel Adebayor scored late on to put the icing on the cake.

6 Inter 1-5 Arsenal 2003/04 Champions League, group stage

Rather incredibly, Arsenal’s heroics against Milan may not even be their greatest in the San Siro.

While their victory over Inter was only in the 2003/04 group stage, it probably trumps their win over the Rossoneri for the fact that a win was vital, and that the scoreline remains stunning to this day.

Arsenal had a horrendous start to their group campaign, earning one point from their first three matches, and required a win in Milan to stay alive.

That meant beating a team that had thumped them 3-0 at Highbury just two months earlier.

Fortunately, Thierry Henry was in red-hot form, and hit a brace to help smash an Inter side that fell apart in the second half, with Freddie Ljungberg, Edu and Robert Pires all getting in on the act before the final whistle as Arsenal smashed their opponents on their way to winning Group B.

5 Arsenal 1-0 Parma 1993/94 Cup Winners' Cup final

Arsenal’s most recent European trophy was secured 31 years ago, when an unfancied Gunners side saw off favourites Parma in the Cup Winners’ Cup final in Copenhagen.

George Graham’s side, who were also without the suspended Ian Wright, took a surprise lead through Alan Smith’s volley in the first half.

Parma’s stars, including Gianfranco Zola, Faustino Asprilla and Tomas Brolin, had plenty of chances either side of Smith’s effort, but the defence remained resolute to bring the trophy home.

4 Villarreal 0-0 Arsenal 2005/06 Champions League, semi-final second leg

Arsenal were 90 minutes away from their first Champions League final after a 1-0 success in Highbury’s final European game against Villarreal.

The surprise package in the Champions League that season, Villarreal were hoping to overturn their deficit to set up an all-Spanish affair in the Paris finale.

And just when Arsenal looked like seeing it out, the hosts were awarded a soft penalty in the final moments, with extra time now looking like a certainty.

But Jens Lehmann had other ideas, diving to his left to keep Juan Roman Riquelme’s spot-kick out and send the Gunners through.

3 Arsenal 2-1 Barcelona 2010/11 Champions League, round of 16 first leg

While this tie eventually ended in controversial defeat, the first leg of Arsenal and Barcelona’s last-16 tie in February 2011 can still give fans goosebumps.

Led by Pep Guardiola, tournament favourites Barca took the lead through David Villa’s first-half finish, only for a late Gunners comeback to send the visitors home defeated.

Robin van Persie levelled an absorbing tie after catching out Victor Valdes at his near post, before an incisive breakaway saw Samir Nasri find Andrey Arshavin free in the box to slam home the winner.

2 Arsenal 3-0 Real Madrid 2024/25 Champions League, quarter-final first leg

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal came of age when they came up against the European champions at the Emirates Stadium, with a second-half blitz seemingly putting the tie beyond their opponents.

A close tie exploded into life in the second half when Declan Rice curved a superb free-kick around the Madrid wall to draw first blood, before repeating the trick with an arguably better strike just minutes later.

Makeshift striker Mikel Merino then rounded off a super move to give Arsenal a golden chance of defeating their fancied opponents and make the semis for the first time in 16 years – a chance they didn’t pass up.

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A “magnificent” manager is now on the “final shortlist” to replace Ivan Juric at Southampton this summer, according to transfer expert Graeme Bailey.

Saints pursuing new manager after Juric sacking

In truth, the writing was on the wall for Juric for quite some time, given that he failed to make any improvements to the Saints’ Premier League position after replacing Russell Martin, and the Croatian was dismissed after relegation to the Championship was confirmed.

After parting ways with Juric earlier this month, the board have now started to identify potential replacements for the summer, and chief among them could be Sheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl, who has been named as the top target.

Sporting director Johannes Spors is a big fan of Rohl, but the Wednesday manager is not the only option being considered, with Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior also of interest, given the fantastic job the Englishman has done in Ligue 1 this season.

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In an interview with EFL Analysis, Bailey has now revealed Southampton have started to trim down their list of manager targets, and former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has made the cut.

Bailey said: “Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard are both on Southampton’s final shortlist to be their new manager. The two England legends have been on Southampton’s radar for the last few weeks and both are in their sights.”

“Gerrard, who is on Rangers’ list to return to Ibrox, is out of work following his stint in Saudi Arabia and is ready to return to the UK – we understand.”

Former Norwich City boss David Wagner is also named as a potential target for the Saints, who are certainly not short on options to replace Juric this summer.

Southampton move could suit "magnificent" Gerrard

Gerrard’s last stint in England didn’t exactly go to plan, being sacked by Aston Villa with the club just outside the relegation zone, but there are signs the Liverpool legend could be a success at St. Mary’s.

Southampton are expected to be one of the dominant forces in the Championship next season, and the 44-year-old has previously proven he has what it takes to win league titles as a manager, securing the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership title with Rangers.

Not only did the Englishman win the title, but he did so in emphatic fashion, with the Gers amassing a colossal 102 points and remaining undefeated across the entire league campaign.

Former adversary Sir Alex Ferguson even lauded Gerrard for his “magnificent” achievement, which indicates he still could have a lot left to give as a manager, despite questionable spells with Villa and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.