All posts by rastrear-estafeta.com

While the jury might still be out for some when it comes to the competition itself, there is no doubt that Chelsea were worthy winners of the Club World Cup.

Enzo Maresca’s men impressed in almost every game they played, and saved their best performance for the final, in which they made Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain look totally out of their depth.

Aside from the out-of-this-world Cole Palmer, one of the Blues’ best players in the last few games was Joao Pedro, who scored three goals in three games.

So, fans should be delighted by the news that the club are looking to sign another international who could help the Brazilian reach another level entirely.

Chelsea's transfer business so far

On top of blowing away the competition on the pitch this summer, Chelsea have been just as impressive off it, in the transfer market.

Transfer Focus

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

They’ve managed to ship off the likes of Noni Madueke to Arsenal for £52m and Đorđe Petrović to Bournemouth for £25m, while spending £60m on Pedro, £30m on Liam Delap and £48m on Jamie Gittens.

However, the Conference League champions aren’t done there, not even close, as they now appear keen on landing an international superstar who could help the former Brighton & Hove Albion ace get even better.

At least that’s according to a recent report from Spain, which claims that Chelsea are now interested in Rodrygo.

In fact, the report goes a step further than that, revealing that the Blues have already made an offer for the Brazilian – a straight swap for Nicolas Jackson.

The proposal has yet to be shot down, but the report states that Real would rather receive a fee for the player they value at €100m, which is approximately £86m.

Even if Chelsea have to splash the cash to get their man this summer, they should, as Rodrygo’s a proven winner and someone who could help Pedro get even better.

Why Rodrygo would make Pedro better

Now, there are quite a few reasons why Rodrygo could help Pedro reach another level at Chelsea next season, and one of the most significant is his output.

Since the start of the 23/24 season, the “world-class superstar,” as dubbed by Luka Modrić, has found the back of the net on 31 occasions and provided 20 assists in 105 appearances, totalling 7159 minutes.

That means the former Santos gem has been averaging a goal involvement every 2.05 games, or every 140.37 minutes across the last two years, which is undoubtedly impressive.

Appearances

51

54

Minutes

3707′

3452′

Goals

17

14

Assists

9

11

Goal Involvements per Match

0.50

0.46

Minutes per Goal Involvement

142.57′

138.08′

What makes those numbers even more impressive is that he has rarely played in his favoured position off the left across the last two seasons, so just imagine how much more effective he could be regularly starting there.

This regular supply of goals and chances to his left would undoubtedly see the former Brighton star’s own goal and assist tally soar next season, especially as he proved himself to be particularly clinical last year, scoring ten league goals from an expected goals figure of just 8.86.

Furthermore, the former Santos gem has also won all there is to win in the club game, securing two La Liga and two Champions League titles in the Spanish capital.

In other words, he has what it takes to win and should hopefully impart the right mindset to those around him, like his compatriot, and help them win major silverware at some point in the coming years.

Finally, the fact that they’re both Brazilian is also a significant bonus, as establishing a place for himself in the national team will give Pedro and the Real star even more opportunities to develop a deep understanding of one another’s game.

Ultimately, it might cost them a substantial sum of money, but Chelsea should do everything possible to sign Rodrygo this summer.

Bad news for Pedro & Delap: Chelsea in the race to sign "the next Mbappe"

The sensational attacker would make Chelsea far more dangerous next season.

2 ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 17, 2025

Sunderland have raced out of the blocks at a serious speed when it comes to securing early deals in the summer transfer window.

Already, the Black Cats have splashed out £20m to win Enzo Le Fee permanently, with another £30m soon to be dropped on new club-record signing Habib Diarra to join the expanding Stadium of Light ranks.

Their lightning-quick business isn’t stopping there either, with Reinildo reportedly also expected to link up with Regis Le Bris’ men shortly after agreeing a deal to leave Atletico Madrid behind.

Sunderland interested in deal for £18m defender

Amazingly, yet another deal is also in their sights, as Sunderland look to bolster their numbers defensively with this £18m target.

As per a report by journalist Alan Nixon, Sunderland are not slowing down on the transfer front, with the newly promoted outfit now interested in a deal to snap up ex-Leeds United centre-back Charlie Cresswell.

Cresswell’s stock has certainly risen since he exited Elland Road just last summer for a mere £3.8m, with the Ligue 1 side now demanding £18m out of any suitor chasing after the England U21 international after he slotted immediately into the French top division side’s defensive positions with ease.

Fresh off sealing a Euros success with Lee Carsley’s youthful Three Lions too, it’s no surprise to see a whole host of clubs queueing up for the 22-year-old’s services, with Nixon revealing that Atalanta and Como are keeping an eye on him in Italy, alongside some unnamed Premier League clubs.

Why Cresswell could be a better signing than Diarra

Amazingly, although Diarra is costing a club-record £30m to win, Cresswell might well be viewed as an even better pick-up than the Senegal international down the line, with the potential there for the young defender to shine even brighter in the demanding Premier League after a formative Toulouse stint.

After all, Cresswell has already shown he can shine in some high-pressure situations on the international stage, meaning he is unlikely to be fazed by any relegation battles to come.

Indeed, the impressive 22-year-old barely put a foot wrong all across England U21s’ memorable tournament, with Cresswell winning ten duels in total across the long-winded 120-minute final against Germany, alongside chipping in with a goal during the Three Lions’ opening win against the Czech Republic.

On top of that, he will be chomping at the bit to succeed back in the English game, having been hastily discarded by Leeds, with the 6-foot-3 titan also far more attuned to the pressures of an elite division now, after starring week in week out for Carles Martinez Novell’s men.

Diarra has also shown flashes of his quality in the same terrain, with four goals and five assists next to his name across the 2024/25 season, but the strain of being Sunderland’s most expensive buy ever might well work against the 21-year-old, especially as he gets up to speed with what is expected of him in the taxing Premier League.

In comparison, Cresswell will be very hungry to be an instant success on Wearside after failing to make the grade at Leeds, irrespective of a spotlight beaming down on him.

Games played

31

Goals scored

3

Assists

1

Touches*

63.3

Accurate passes*

41.2 (83%)

Ball recoveries*

3.3

Clearances*

6.1

Total duels won*

4.9

Clean sheets

9

He even managed to line up for the Whites five times in the top-flight before moving away to Southern France, and off the back of such a superb season in the heart of Toulouse’s defence – as can be seen looking at the table above – he will be desperate to add more Premier League experience next to his name.

Lauded as “fantastic” by Gary Rowett when starring in the Championship at Millwall, this just feels like the next natural step for the 22-year-old to shine even more.

Whilst Diarra will no doubt go on to be a success in his own right, this pick-up of such an in-demand defender feels like an even more exciting purchase, knowing that he could well be transformed into a Jobe Bellingham-level talent on Wearside.

Sunderland set to make £17m bid for 21 y/o likened to Real Madrid legend Raul

The Black Cats could pull off an ambitious move.

BySean Markus Clifford Jun 29, 2025

Despite Manchester United’s pending move to sign Bryan Mbeumo, it appears as though the hierarchy look set to continue their hunt for added depth within the forward attacking department.

With Matheus Cunha already the first player through the doors at Old Trafford this summer, the Brentford ace looks set to be the next player to join the Brazilian.

This comes after the Red Devils placed a £60m bid for the 25-year-old attacker, who’s already expressed his desire to link up with Ruben Amorim’s side this summer.

However, the club will have to wait for approval from the Bees to complete any move for the Cameroonian international, with personal terms not expected to be an issue.

Their ambitions of landing added depth in such an area appear to be showing no signs of slowing down, especially considering their interest in other players across Europe.

The latest on United’s hunt for a new striker this summer

Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has emerged as a surprise option for United this summer, with the 30-year-old the subject of keen interest from various Premier League sides.

Hugo Ekitiké remains a key target for Amorim’s side, after the youngster netted 22 goals across all competitions this season, but his £84m price tag may be out of the Red Devils’ budget, given the additions elsewhere.

However, as a result, they could turn their attention to Juventus talisman Dušan Vlahović, with the 25-year-old only having one year left on his deal, according to Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport.

They claim that the Red Devils have been in contact with intermediaries over a potential move for the forward, who appears to be keen on a switch to England.

It also states that current United outcast Jadon Sancho could be utilised as leverage in any potential deal, with the Serie A outfit extremely keen on a move for the 25-year-old this window.

Why Vlahovic would be Amorim’s answer to Osimhen

Victor Osimhen has been a player who has been firmly on United’s radar over the last couple of years, and understandably so given his record across Europe.

The Nigerian has registered 85 goals across the last three campaigns, 37 of which came on loan at Galatasaray this season – catapulting the club to the Turkish League title.

However, it appears he won’t be returning to the Italian side ahead of the 2025/26 season, with Antonio Conte’s side looking to cash in on the 26-year-old.

He’s been the subject of interest from Amorim’s side, but also has admirers in Saudi Arabia, which could see the striker demand a small fortune and price the Red Devils out of any potential move.

It’s been reported that he’s demanding a pay package in the region of £500k-per-week, a ludicrous figure that has seen United move onto other options.

Vlahovic appears to be just one of those, with the Juve star even ranking as a similar player to Osimhen according to FBref, demonstrating the talent he possesses.

When comparing their respective stats from Serie A back in 2023/24, the Serbian has managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, making him a superb pickup if the hierarchy can complete a deal for his signature.

Games played

33

25

Goals & assists

20

18

Goals per shot on target

0.4

0.3

Pass accuracy

71%

66%

Progressive passes

1.8

1.1

Take-on success

42%

40%

Aerial success

45%

44%

The 25-year-old, “after Haaland, is the best striker in Europe at his age” in the words of Italian legend Christian Vieri, outscored Osimhen, whilst also registering a better goal per shot on target rate – having the clinical edge over the Nigerian.

He also completed more of the take-ons that he attempted, whilst registering more aerials won, handing Amorim the all-round centre-forward he’s greatly lacked.

Whilst he’s primarily a goalscorer, Vlahovic also completed more passes and more progressive passes per 90, handing the likes of Mbeumo and Cunha the chance to bolster their own tallies at Old Trafford.

It’s unclear how much a deal for the Juve ace would set the hierarchy back this window, but it’s clear he would be a just as effective, but cheaper, alternative to the Napoli forward.

Given the Italian side’s interest in Sancho, it could provide an excellent opportunity to land a bargain deal in the club’s quest to fly up the table throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

He'd be perfect with Mbeumo: Man Utd enter talks to sign £52m forward

Manchester United could further strengthen their frontline after a move for Bryan Mbeumo.

ByEthan Lamb Jun 24, 2025

Whilst Rangers continue to close in on their first arrival of the summer, as many as seven clubs are now reportedly battling it out to deal Russell Martin his first exit blow at Ibrox.

Rangers closing in on first arrival

According to recent reports, Rangers are set to sign Josh Mulligan from Dundee in a deal which is now imminent. The young right-midfielder has undergone a medical and looks destined to become the first signing of both the 49ers and Martin era.

Martin's own Kamara: Rangers exploring move to sign "ridiculous" £10m star

Rangers have explored a deal for a £10m-rated star who could be Russell Martin’s own Glen Kamara.

ByDan Emery Jun 12, 2025

As the new owners attempt to bridge the gap on Old Firm rivals and Scottish Premiership champions Celtic, Mulligan may just be the start this summer. The Gers desperately need fresh faces even after the Scottish sensation and recent transfer rumours have provided plenty of hope on that front.

49ers chairman Paraag Marathe only added to that hope with his first interview at the club too, telling Rangers’ official website: “At 49ers Enterprises, we have built a track record of sporting and business success, but our driving motivation is our deep connection to the clubs and communities we serve.

“We are excited to join Andrew and our other consortium of investors in a new era for this iconic club, and we are determined to build something that supporters can be proud of for years to come.”

Mulligan aside, Rangers have also been linked with moves for Flynn Downes, who worked with Martin at Southampton, and veteran defender Conor Coady. Both players would be excellent additions, there’s no doubting that, but whether the Gers can lure them to Ibrox will be the big question this summer.

It’s not just incomings that the 49ers have to worry about either. Following another disappointing season, Rangers could yet lose some key men and that may even include a breakthrough talent this summer.

7 clubs now chasing Igamane deal

According to Foot Mercato, as relayed by Sport Witness, as many as seven teams are now chasing a deal to sign Hamza Igamane this summer. Described as a ‘breakthrough’ talent, the 22-year-old forward enjoyed an excellent debut season at Rangers and has now attracted interest from West Ham United, Brentford, Everton, Lens, RC Strasbourg, Lille, and Stade Rennais.

To make matters worse for Rangers, out of those interested parties, Lens have reportedly taken one step further by making contact over a potential deal.

To say that he is a man in demand would be an understatement, handing the Gers an uphill battle when attempting to keep hold of their star man. Although the interest in Igamane should come as no shock, not many at Ibrox would have expected the forward to enjoy such a clinical debut season in front of goal.

Yet, after netting as many as 16 goals in his debut season fresh from Morroco, Igamane has become an unexpected star that Rangers should be desperate to keep hold of his summer.

A Rangers “hero” within the space of a year as described by scout Jacek Kulig, losing Igamane would be a frustrating way for Martin and the 49ers to commence a new era.

Sheffield United are keen to rebuild after missing out on promotion to the top-flight and have now made contact to sign a star who is thriving in the EFL, according to a report.

Sheffield United set to go again despite managerial uncertainty

The Blades will still be feeling the heartache of their EFL Championship playoff final defeat to Sunderland last month, though there is plenty of talent present at Bramall Lane as they prepare for another tilt at promotion next term.

Nevertheless, Sheffield United chiefs are said to be deliberating over whether to sack Chris Wilder following a frustrating conclusion to their bid for Premier League football, with no decision yet made as to if he will still be in charge by the time pre-season commences.

In spite of conflicting opinions, BBC reporter Nick Staton believes Wilder deserves to lead the Blades into 2025/26 and that criticism of the man at the helm is simply unwarranted.

“Wilder is United’s best ever boss. This isn’t to undermine the brilliant work of Dave Bassett, but the game’s changed. Football has never been more challenging or dominated by money.

“A manager’s job is harder than it was 30 years ago. Considerably so, in my opinion. Even in defeat, Wilder should be praised. There’s nobody better to get things going again next season.”

Sheffield United want to make "excellent" free agent their first summer signing

Sheffield United are now in a race to sign a Championship striker on a free transfer.

ByBrett Worthington Jun 5, 2025

Inevitably, time marches on and so does the focus of a particular club. Sheffield United have already identified free agent forward Emil Riis Jakobsen as a target, illustrating that plans are already in place regardless of who is in the dugout.

Continuing that theme, the Blades are now interested in bringing a versatile star to Yorkshire who only has one year remaining on his current contract.

Sheffield United make contact to sign Ethan Galbraith

According to Football Insider, Sheffield United have made contact to sign Ethan Galbraith from Leyton Orient by virtue of registering their interest in the Northern Ireland international’s services.

Swansea City are also in the mix, and it is said that the League One outfit could look to cash in on the versatile 24-year-old, who can play at right-back, in central midfield or on either flank.

Ethan Galbraith’s excellent campaign for Leyton Orient – all competitions

Appearances

51

Goals

6

Assists

8

Labelled “unbelievable” by Richie Wellens, the Manchester United academy graduate helped his side to the playoff final before Charlton Athletic saw them off, and his ability to function in several different roles has drawn attention on the market.

Earning four caps for Northern Ireland, Galbraith is wanted by at least one other unnamed second-tier club and may represent an inexpensive option due to his contractual situation.

However, you get the feeling that Wilder’s future will need to be decided before the Blades can proceed on this one. Hopefully, a conclusion on that front can be reached sooner rather than later.

Celtic can officially start to complete all of their business, inwards and outward, after the summer transfer window opened for business on Sunday.

The Hoops secured the Scottish Premiership title and the League Cup during the 2024/25 campaign, as they missed out on the treble by losing to Aberdeen in the final of the SFA Cup in the final game of the season.

Brendan Rodgers could look to bolster his squad during the summer transfer window in a bid to secure the treble next season, whilst also improving in the Champions League, after his side lost in the play-off round this term.

In order to improve his options, the Northern Irish head coach could repeat the blinder he played with Moussa Dembele all the way back in the summer of 2016.

Celtic could repeat their Moussa Dembele masterclass

During his first transfer window at Parkhead, Rodgers swooped to sign the French striker from English side Fulham after his contract down south expired.

Transfer Focus

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

The Hoops were able to snap him up on a ‘free transfer’, although they did have to pay £500k in compensation due to his age, and it turned out to be a blinder of a deal.

Dembele went on to plunder a staggering 51 goals in 94 matches for Celtic in all competitions before signing for Lyon in a deal worth almost £20m, which meant that the Scottish giants made a significant profit on the striker.

Celtic could, now, repeat that blinder by signing another EFL star whose contract is running down, as The Scottish Sun recently reported that Blackburn Rovers attacker Tyrhys Dolan is of interest to the club.

Norwich and Rangers are also said to be keen on the winger, who is out of contract at Ewood Park this summer, and there could be a battle for his signature.

Why Tyrhys Dolan could be Moussa Dembele 2.0

Rodgers could repeat his Dembele masterclass because Dolan would arrive for a compensation package that would be lower than the £10m Blackburn reportedly value him at, due to his contract situation.

At the age of 23, he would arrive at Parkhead as a young talent with time ahead of him to develop and improve during his time at Parkhead, just as the French attacker did.

Dolan, once hailed as “outstanding” by manager John Eustace, could be a low-risk and low-cost signing from the lower leagues in England, but with the potential to be a star for the Hoops if he adapts well.

Appearances

44

Touches per game

38.1

Goals

7

Conversion rate

14%

Big chances created

7

Key passes

44

Assists

6

As you can see in the table above, Dolan provided quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals in the Championship during the 2024/25 campaign, despite playing for a side that finished in midtable, with 14 direct goal contributions for his side.

As part of a Celtic team that have won the last four Premiership titles in succession, a team that is able to dominate matches on a regular basis, the 23-year-old star could have more opportunities to showcase his ability to score and create goals from a right-wing position.

With this in mind, Dolan could take his game, and his output in front of goal, to the next level by playing for a side that is more suited to his attacking qualities.

This means that the English dynamo could score more goals and provide more assists than the 14 he managed in the Championship by virtue of playing in a Celtic team that is constantly on the front foot and looking for the next goal.

Therefore, Rodgers could repeat his Dembele blinder by signing Dolan to come in and potentially increase his value by delivering goals and assists on a regular basis in Scotland to make him worth the £10m Blackburn currently value him at, or perhaps worth even more further down the line.

Dream XI Celtic could build: Idah axed for "sensational" CF, Tierney starts

The dream starting XI that Brendan Rodgers could build for Celtic next season.

2 ByDan Emery May 31, 2025

And, if it does not work out then Celtic will not have lost too much money on it, as they would not have with Dembele either, due to the low compensation that it would cost to get done.

Every year, there are thousands of players coming to the end of their current deals – some high-profile, others further down the footballing pyramid.

This opens up the opportunity for these players to move on in the summer, with a number of stars set to be available for free, whether they have been unable to agree on fresh terms or simply come to the end of their time at their current clubs.

Here, we look at some of the best players who could be looking for a new club for 2025/26.

Player

Departed

Joined

Year

Gianluca Vialli

Juventus

Chelsea

1996

Steve McManaman

Liverpool

Real Madrid

1999

Sol Campbell

Tottenham

Arsenal

2001

Michael Ballack

Bayern Munich

Chelsea

2006

Raul

Real Madrid

Schalke

2010

Andrea Pirlo

Milan

Juventus

2011

Robert Lewandowski

Borussia Dortmund

Bayern Munich

2014

Zlatan Ibrahimović

PSG

Manchester United

2016

Sergio Agüero

Man City

Barcelona

2021

Lionel Messi

Barcelona

PSG

2021

1 Dominic Calvert-Lewin Everton

It looks as though Dominic Calvert-Lewin is heading towards the end of his Everton career, with several high-profile clubs expected to make an offer to secure his signature.

AS Monaco were one of those interested in the English striker back in January, but the Toffees stopped short of claiming a fee for Calvert-Lewin, leaving them open to a free sale.

There is speculation that Newcastle United are an interested club, with Calvert-Lewin set to call time on his stay on Merseyside.

2 Jonathan David Lille

Many feel that Lille have made a massive mistake by allowing the contract of star striker Jonathan David to run down, meaning they will likely lose out on a significant transfer fee.

There appears to be no shortage of offers for the forward. Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth claimed in January that two Serie A sides had made offers, while four Premier League teams were reportedly keen on striking a pre-contract agreement with David ahead of next season.

However, it feels like Serie A champions Napoli are close to securing an agreement with the Canadian, despite interest from rivals Juventus. Whoever manages to sign him will be securing one of the most coveted strikers in Europe.

3 Ben Davies Tottenham Hotspur

Fresh from winning the Europa League with Tottenham Hotspur, it appears as though Ben Davies will be leaving N17 in the near future.

The Welshman joined the Lilywhites from Swansea City in 2014, becoming one of the first to join under former manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Leeds United and Burnley were both linked to the full-back recently, so Davies may end up staying in the Premier League.

4 Kevin De Bruyne Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne was so often at the heart of the success Manchester City achieved since he joined in the summer of 2015.

With 422 appearances for the Etihad side, De Bruyne has been their talisman, never more so than during the 2022/23 season as they won the treble. Indeed, he registered 41 goal contributions for the club that year.

Napoli are the team most strongly linked with the Belgian, with Antonio Conte’s side intent on building on their Scudetto success.

5 Abdoulaye Doucoure Everton

Abdoulaye Doucoure revealed he would be leaving Everton at the expiry of his contract in the summer. The midfielder bowed out after helping the Toffees to a final-day win over Newcastle in the Premier League, and will now be looking for a new club ahead of 2025/26.

A £20m signing from Watford in 2020, Doucoure scored one of the most important goals in the club’s history as they survived relegation at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

It appears that a move to the Middle East is on the cards as it stands, with multiple Saudi Arabian clubs among the interested parties for the Malian’s services.

6 Angel Gomes Lille

Angel Gomes is another player set to leave Lille in the summer, alongside teammate Jonathan David. The midfielder, who made his England debut in September, joined the French outfit from Manchester United in 2020 on a free transfer and will again be on the move for nothing.

His old club are among the clubs interested in his signature, while Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping the promise of Champions League football will sway things in their favour.

7 Victor Lindelof Manchester United

With first-team opportunities turning into a premium in recent seasons, it is no surprise that Swedish defender Victor Lindelof allowed his deal at Manchester United to run down.

Lindelof struggled with injuries and started just six times in the league in 2024/25, with his role in the side further diminishing amid a number of centre-back arrivals in recent windows.

There are plenty of clubs lining up to sign him, including four Premier League clubs and former side Benfica.

8 Tyrick Mitchell Crystal Palace

Despite starring for the Eagles in the FA Cup final, Tyrick Mitchell is yet to publicly commit his future to Crystal Palace. That said, Mitchell may not be about to see his deal at Selhurst Park expire, with conflicting reports over the status of his contract.

Nevertheless, he continues to be linked away, with Milan among his potential suitors, though whether the Rossoneri would have to pay a fee remains to be seen.

9 Thomas Partey Arsenal

Thomas Partey’s contract at Arsenal is up in the summer, though his time in N5 may not be as close to ending as it may seem.

That’s because Mikel Arteta has previously stated his desire to keep the Ghana international at the club, so a new deal may be in the offing.

Partey has been linked away in previous windows, with interest coming from Italy and Saudi Arabia in the past. This time around, Juventus, Barcelona and former club Atletico Madrid have all been mentioned as potential destinations.

10 Leroy Sane Bayern Munich

It may have come as a surprise to many when Leroy Sané swapped Manchester City for Bayern Munich, especially with the Pep Guardiola era in full swing, but the German has been a crucial player for the Bavarians.

Indeed, he ended the 2024/25 season with 116 goal contributions – 61 goals and 55 assists – in 220 appearances since joining, a rate of one goal involvement every 1.9 matches, marking a spectacular record.

If a club can secure his signature for nothing in the summer, they would be signing a player still at the peak of his powers.

Newcastle United supporters will be praying that Eddie Howe can keep hold of Alexander Isak this summer.

Securing Champions League football for next season would give the club a big boost in this regard, but with interest in the Swede circling, it may be difficult to persuade him to stay.

Liverpool and Arsenal are the leading contenders to attempt a move to sign the centre-forward when the transfer window opens.

Why Newcastle must keep hold of Alexander Isak

The former Borussia Dortmund forward has enjoyed the finest individual season of his career throughout 2024/25. Across 41 games for the Magpies in all competitions, Isak has scored 27 goals while recording six assists.

At the time of writing, the Toon sit third in the Premier League table, and Isak’s 23 league goals have gone a long way in powering the club to what could be Champions League qualification next term.

This would allow Howe the chance to bring more high-profile players to the North East, while enabling him to potentially keep the likes of Isak, Anthony Gordon, and Bruno Guimaraes for another season.

If the Swedish striker does decide to move on in the summer, Howe will need to bring in a replacement who knows what it takes to score at the very highest level.

Could he turn to La Liga in the coming weeks?

Newcastle could replace Isak with Alexander Sorloth

Signing another centre-forward is certainly on Howe’s wishlist, especially with sparse options in this area of the team.

With Isak’s future uncertain and Callum Wilson not getting any younger and missing the majority of the season due to injury, money will need to be spent.

Reports in Spain, Newcastle are keen on signing Atlético Madrid frontman Alexander Sorloth this summer.

Atlético signed him last summer for a fee of £27m, although it remains to be seen just how much he could cost this year, especially coming off an excellent campaign for the La Liga side.

The Norwegian was dubbed “legendary” after scoring three goals in the opening 11 minutes of the club’s 4-0 success over Real Sociedad. He ended up netting all four, in what was a stunning display.

Compared to his peers across Europe’s top five leagues, Sorloth demonstrated his sublime abilities in the final third.

Indeed, not only does he rank in the top 1% for non-penalty goals (0.96), but the striker also ranks in the top 3% for total shots (4.24) and in the top 7% for touches in the opposition penalty area, which speaks to how lethal he is in front of goal and why he would be a dream replacement for Isak.

Metric

La Liga

Appearances

33

xG

13.91

Goals

17

Shots per game

2.1

Goal conversion percentage

25%

Goal frequency (minutes)

87

Assists

2

Considering he has scored a total of 21 goals for the Spanish side, signing Sorloth could give Newcastle supporters hope that not all is lost if Isak moves on from St. James’ Park.

He has history with the Premier League, playing 16 scoreless games for Crystal Palace during the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons, but now appears to be prepared to be a key player at that level thanks to his experience in Madrid.

Should he return, the striker has matured and surely wouldn’t be fazed this time around, that’s for sure.

Newcastle battle Arsenal to sign star for less than £50m after scouts sent

What a signing he could be for the Magpies.

ByHenry Jackson May 17, 2025

Leeds United will be playing Premier League football in the 2025/26 campaign after they secured their promotion from the Championship earlier this month.

The Whites celebrated their ascension to the top-flight after Burnley’s win over Sheffield United on Easter Monday, which came shortly after their own 6-0 win over Stoke City at Elland Road.

Daniel Farke and his staff will now be looking ahead to the summer transfer window, although there is still one more match to play against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park this afternoon.

It is going to be a critical summer of business for the West Yorkshire outfit because they know that they have to build a squad that is capable of avoiding an instant relegation from the Premier League.

This means that the players in the current squad will be under the microscope as Farke will have to judge which players are good enough to make the step up, and which of them will need to be replaced with better talents.

One of the stars whose place in the squad is up in the air heading into next season is centre-forward Joel Piroe, who is unproven at Premier League level.

Why Joel Piroe may not be Premier League quality

There is no doubt that the former Swansea star has been a key player for the Whites in this promotion-winning campaign with his goals and assists.

Piroe has racked up 19 goals and seven assists in 45 appearances in the Championship so far this term, and is currently the top scorer in the division – leading by two goals – ahead of the final round of matches today.

This shows that the Dutchman has been the most effective goalscorer in the second tier, as no one has scored more than him, but that does not guarantee that he will be a success in the Premier League.

Sammie Szmodics (27), Adam Armstrong (21), and Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville (19) ended the 2023/24 campaign as the top three scorers in the Championship, and all went on to play in the Premier League this season.

This season, Szmodics (four), Armstrong (two), and Summerville (one) have combined for seven goals in the Premier League for their respective clubs, which illustrates just how big the gap is between the second and the first tier.

Appearances

45

Goals

19

Assists

7

Duels won per game

1.6

Ground duel success rate

33%

Aerial duel success rate

20%

As you can see in the table above, Piroe has made an impact at the top end of the pitch, but he has also been dominated in physical battles.

This suggests that he could fall the same way as the likes of Szmodics, Armstrong, and Summerville, who are all slight in frame, by failing to make the step up to the Premier League.

Leeds eyeing up Premier League striker

The Whites could, however, sign a striker who is way better than Piroe as they are reportedly keen on a star who has already proven himself in the Premier League.

According to The Boy Hotspur, as relayed by MOT Leeds News, Leeds United are one of a number of clubs to have shown an interest in Tottenham Hotspur centre-forward Richarlison.

Transfer Focus

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

The report claims that the Whites, Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fluminense, Al Hilal, and Al Shabab are among the teams keen on a swoop for the Brazil international.

It also states that Everton are already in talks with Spurs over a deal to sign the versatile attacker, who left Goodison Park to join Tottenham in the first place.

The outlet adds that the Premier League side would like to sell him permanently, for a fee in the region of £30m, but that a loan with an obligation to buy the forward next summer is also a possibility.

With this in mind, Leeds must push to win the race for the Brazilian striker’s signature because he could come in as a way better option than Piroe next season.

Why Richarlison is way better than Joel Piroe

Richarlison is a Premier League-proven centre-forward who would come in as an experienced, high-quality, option for Farke at the top end of the pitch.

The 27-year-old star, who was once described as a “goalmouth monster” by Ange Postecoglou, has scored five goals in 19 appearances in an injury-hampered season this year, but did produce 12 goals in 31 games in all competitions for Spurs last term.

Richarlison has a good track record of scoring goals throughout his Premier League career with Watford, Everton, and Spurs in his eight years in England, which means that Leeds would be signing a player who is a known quantity in the top-flight.

Whereas, Piroe has yet to make an appearance in the top-flight and his goals in the Championship are not enough, as proven by last year’s top scorers, to suggest that he will be a star in the Premier League.

24/25

14

4

103

1

23/24

28

11

137

4

22/23

27

1

1,023

4

21/20

30

10

253

5

20/21

34

7

410

3

19/20

36

13

237

3

18/19

35

13

206

2

17/18

38

5

565

4

As you can see in the table above, Richarlison, bar a disappointing 2022/23 campaign, has been a reliable presence at the top end of the pitch throughout his time in the league.

The Brazil international has also scored 20 goals in 48 caps for his country at international level, whilst Piroe is yet to be capped by the Netherlands, which further illustrates the gap in quality between the two players.

These statistics, in club and international football, suggest that Richarlison would be a way better option for Leeds than the Dutch marksman, who is set to fight against history to prove himself in the Premier League after a decent goal return in the Championship.

Bad news for Byram: Leeds want to sign "outstanding" £34k-per-week star

Leeds are reportedly interested in signing a Premier League defender, and it is bad news for Sam Byram.

ByDan Emery May 1, 2025

Therefore, Leeds should push to sign the Brazilian star from Spurs in the upcoming summer transfer window because it would provide Farke with a Premier League-proven goalscorer who has the quality to hit double figures for goals in the league, whilst there are still big question marks over Piroe’s suitability for the top-flight.

When Tottenham Hotspur appointed Ange Postecoglou in the summer of 2023, there was a fair amount of scepticism.

However, that quickly subsided as, following a ten-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League, the club were sitting in first and playing the best football in the country.

However, things started to go wrong around Christmas, and by the end of the season, the club had only just about qualified for the Europa League.

This year has been magnitudes worse, as while there is still a chance of silverware on the continent, Postecoglou has overseen 18 defeats in the league, and there’s a genuine chance the club will finish in 17th place.

So, it’s hardly a surprise that there has been a marked increase in reports linking the club with a new manager in recent weeks, and one of the most recent has touted a Premier League boss who could be the perfect upgrade.

Tottenham's manager search

Before getting to the manager in question, it’s worth looking at some of the other names that have been thrown in the ring of late.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

For example, a report from the Mail Online earlier this week claimed that, regardless of what happens in the Europa League, the club are likely to sack Postecoglou at the end of the season and have identified Marco Silva and Andoni Iraola as potential replacements.

The former has been a known quantity in England for quite some time now, managing Hull City and Everton before taking the job at Fulham, but it’s been with the Cottagers that he’s really caught the eye, as he’s turned them into a comfortable mid-table side.

Iraola, on the other hand, is still relatively new to English football, having only taken the Bournemouth job last season. Still, in a short space of time, he’s taken the club from relegation candidates to European hopefuls.

Another relatively new face the North Londoners are looking at is Oliver Glasner.

Yes, according to a recent report from GIVEMESPORT, the Austrian coach has been spoken about at Tottenham as a ‘credible’ option to take over from Postecoglou in the summer.

It might not be the big name some were hoping for, but Glasner has proved himself in Germany and has turned things around at Crystal Palace as well, so could be the ideal upgrade on the Australian.

Why Glasner would be a great appointment

So, before examining his record against Postecoglou’s, let’s examine the headline arguments for why Glasner would be a great hire.

The first is that, while he’s not as gung-ho as the Australian, he does like his team to play an exciting and attacking style of football with a focus on explosiveness and dynamism.

For example, according to The Athletic, one of his first instructions upon arriving at Selhurst Park last year was that the players needed to sprint far more.

As a result, the team went from below the league average for high-speed running and sprinting distance per game last season to fourth and sixth in the league, respectively, this year.

Then, in terms of formation, he prefers to play a 3-4-2-1, which could suit players like Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie in the wingback positions, as well as James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, who could start as the two inside tens.

Finally, away from tactics, he has experience of winning big prizes, as he led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022.

With all that said, how does the “incredible” manager, as dubbed by content creator James B, stack up to Postecoglou in their current jobs?

Well, even though he has what many would consider to be a weaker squad, he’s done far better, winning 25 games, drawing 15, losing 15 and earning 1.64 points per game.

Games

55

93

Wins

25

44

Draws

15

13

Losses

15

36

Points per Game

1.64

1.56

In contrast, the former Celtic boss has won 44 games, drawn 13, lost 36 and picked up on average just 1.56 points per game.

Ultimately, from tactics and philosophy to on-pitch results, Glasner looks to be a clear upgrade on Postecoglou, so Spurs should do what they can to bring him in this summer.

Worth more than VDV: Spurs have struck gold on their "Swiss army knife"

The incredible talent will be a superstar for Spurs.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Apr 25, 2025