With their Goodison Park farewell complete, Everton have reportedly turned their attention towards a new era and reportedly signing a defensive reinforcement for David Moyes’ side.

Everton bid farewell to Goodison Park

On an emotional day, Everton’s men’s team said their farewell to one of the most historic grounds in English football history in style, easing past relegated Southampton 2-0. Signing off in style, it will now be all eyes on a new era at the Bramley-Moore Dock stadium and one that The Friedkin Group will be desperate to see become full of success.

The farewells haven’t ended there, however, with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ashley Young also announcing that they’re set to leave Everton when the summer arrives.

Manager David Moyes was among those to share praise for Doucoure, telling Everton’s official website: “Doucs has been an influential player throughout his time at the Club, including since I returned as manager, and Evertonians will always be grateful for his dedication and crucial goals. Everyone at Everton thanks Doucs for his service and wishes him all the best for the future.”

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The Frenchman was full of emotion as he came off for the final time in an Everton shirt and there’s no doubt that he’ll be tough to replace in this summer’s transfer window.

The same, meanwhile, will be said for Jarrad Branthwaite if he departs in the coming months. Having often been linked with a move away throughout his Everton career, the rumours have already commenced ahead of this summer and there will certainly be nerves surrounding the centre-back’s future once again.

However, this time around, it does at least seem as though there is a plan in place in the event that the defensive star heads elsewhere in the coming months, with one Ligue 1 star reportedly on Friedkin’s radar.

Everton in talks to sign Diomande

According to Africa Foot, as relayed by Sport Witness, Everton have now opened talks to sign Sinaly Diomande from AJ Auxerre, with negotiations now well underway. The 24-year-old has popped up on the Toffees’ radar following a solid campaign at Auxerre, in which his side finished 11th in Ligue 1 despite only earning promotion to France’s first tier last season.

League stats 24/25 (via FBref)

Sinaly Diomande

Jarrad Branthwaite

Starts

22

28

Progressive Passes

72

66

Tackles Won

19

20

Ball Recoveries

86

93

If there were any concerns that Diomande wouldn’t have the quality to ease any potential Branthwaite concerns, then this season’s numbers should put those to bed in an instant.

In possession, Diomande is particularly impressive when compared to Branthwaite – even outperforming the Everton man for progressive passes in less starts. If Everton are looking to step beyond relegation worries and mid-table mediocrity, then signing a defender capable of progressing that play at such a level could prove to be crucial.

Ahead of what could be a busy summer, signing Diomande may well be the perfect way for Friekdin and Everton to start.

Newcastle United’s campaign hangs in the balance, the uncertainty cloaking the gateway back into European competition.

Fourth in the Premier League, two points behind sixth-place Nottingham Forest (who sit just outside a Champions League-qualifying spot), Eddie Howe’s Carabao Cup champions need to hold their nerve over the final few weeks, with fixtures against Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton looming.

It’s a good position the Magpies hold, though, and Howe will be confident that he can get back into the big time and convince some exciting players to join the St. James’ Park cause.

Indeed, Newcastle have already put an offer on the table for one player searching for a way back into the Champions League.

Newcastle eyeing up new midfielder

Although Alexander Isak’s departure from St James’ Park this summer now looks unlikely, it hasn’t stopped a whole wave of new attackers being linked with a move.

Bryan Mbeumo is one hot topic in the Toon right now, with recent reports suggesting Newcastle ‘can afford’ to get a deal over the line if they were to push hard enough this summer.

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While strengthening in attack will be key, particularly if Howe’s men reach the Champions League, they must not neglect other areas.

According to Spanish reports, Newcastle have put a firm offer on the table for Girona midfielder Yangel Herrera, with the La Liga club open to the 27-year-old’s sale this summer.

Whether the proposal, worth about €25m (£21m), will be enough to convince Girona to part with Herrera remains to be seen, especially with Atletico Madrid and Nottingham Forest also keen on a deal.

What Yangel Herrera would bring to Newcastle

Howe likes his midfield to pack a punch. Bruno Guimaraes is silky, stylish and all the superlatives, but he’s also a combative little player, tenacious in the tackle.

Sandro Tonali also has a certain bite to his game, interspersing defensive efforts between the many long, stroking passes that define his style. According to Sofascore, he’s won 1.4 tackles per top-flight fixture this term, winning 54% of his ground duels.

Then there’s Joelinton. A raging bull of a midfielder, he’s a fantastic asset, so much energy and flair as he lopes around the pitch, winning duels, recovering loose balls and generally just menacing his opponents.

That’s not to negate his technical ability, of course, but it’s clear where Joelinton’s strengths lie. Such strengths are hard to replicate, but Newcastle could do just that with Herrera, who for the past three seasons has played for Girona, the first of which he was a loanee, sent out by Manchester City.

Like Joelinton, Herrera likes to get forward and score, ranking among the top 12% of midfielders across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals scored and the top 13% for touches in the attacking box per 90, as per FBref. He also ranks among the top 9% for aerials won per 90. He’s been described as a “monster” of a player by Opta journalists Jamie Kemp and Robbie Dunne.

The Newcastle midfielder’s data follows a similar track. He ranks among the top 18% for goals, the top 9% for shots, the top 8% for touches in the box and the top 5% for aerial battles won per 90 (also FBref).

Such similarities have actually seen the stat-driven site record Joelinton as Herrera’s most comparable player, hardly that surprising after collating the two pieces of data.

Matches (starts)

29 (29)

26 (24)

Goals

4

4

Assists

3

3

Touches*

51

52.7

Pass completion

84%

84%

Key passes*

0.8

0.7

Dribbles*

0.5

0.7

Ball recoveries*

5.1

3.7

Tackles + interceptions*

2.8

3.3

Duels won*

5.7 (45%)

7.0

It’s curious that the players’ metrics are so closely aligned, and it’s more interesting still that Herrera actually outstrips Joelinton across defensive areas. The 27-year-old is a real La Liga menace, and one who could complete Newcastle’s midfield next season, blending that technique and combativeness that Howe likes so much.

With the Champions League on the cards once again, Newcastle have an attractive project which could convince the Girona man to jump ship.

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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.

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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.

As Newcastle United look to solve their goalkeeper problem, a new option has reportedly emerged as one to watch in what would be one of the most surprising moves of the summer.

Newcastle's goalkeeper problem

Since last summer, Newcastle’s interest in James Trafford has been a fairly open secret. Reports even suggested that the Burnley shot-stopper had already agreed terms with the Magpies. One year on, however, Burnley are back in the Premier League and it remains to be seen whether the England international will complete a long-awaited move.

If it’s not to be Trafford, then whether Newcastle turn their attention elsewhere is the big question. Current No.1 Nick Pope had more injury problems throughout the 2024/25 campaign and with both him and Martin Dubravka not getting any younger, Eddie Howe could certainly do with a fresh face in between the sticks this summer.

Starts

28

10

Saves per 90

3.07

2.90

Save Percentage

71.7%

70.7%

Clean Sheets

8

5

The numbers do not paint a pretty picture for those at St James’ Park- the fact that Pope missed 10 Premier League games should send alarm bells ringing around Tyneside. With Champions League football to balance alongside domestic action next season, the last thing that Howe needs is for his No.1 to miss an extended period through injury again.

PIF should have money to spend this time around following a frustrating period amid PSR issues, and a large sum of that money should be spent on giving Howe a major upgrade in between the sticks. If recent reports are anything to go by though, the Magpies could be in for a shock on that front.

Fraser Forster is "one to keep an eye on"

According to The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, Fraser Forster is now “one to keep an eye on” as Newcastle look to sign another goalkeeper. The shot-stopper is likely to replace Odysseas Vlachodimos if he does arrive, with the former Nottingham Forest man among players who are likely to be shown the door at St James’ Park this summer.

Signing Forster, even if Vlachodimos departs, would remain a surprising move by Newcastle. Their current crop of goalkeepers is already an ageing one and adding a 37-year-old to that would hardly ease that problem – especially one who reportedly earns £75,000-a-week.

The Tottenham goalkeeper is still someone who earned the praise of Ange Posescoglou back in December, however, with the Australian telling reporters after Forster’s mistake against Liverpool: “He’s disappointed as well, because he was outstanding for us [before]. He didn’t have a lot to do before then. And even the first half, I thought he was really good with his feet.”

Whilst Forster is a player with plenty of experience, what is clear is that Newcastle will need more than just his arrival to solve their shot-stopping problems this summer.

Liverpool have a huge window ahead of them this summer to build on the superb work conducted by Arne Slot during his first season in charge at Anfield.

The Dutchman claimed the Premier League title at the first time of asking, doing so with four games to spare – highlighting the excellent work he’s overseen in recent months.

However, many teams in England’s top flight are likely to bolster their ranks during the off-season to mount a charge to knock them off the perch they’ve found themselves on.

Such actions will mean that the Reds will also have to strengthen to avoid being caught and left behind by their rivals, increasing their chances of retaining their title.

It’s pivotal that Slot and the hierarchy need to bring in the right players if they are to succeed once again in 2024/25, with work already being done to land key targets.

The latest on Liverpool’s hunt for new additions this summer

Various areas of the pitch appear to be in focus ahead of the summer window for Liverpool, but none more so than the attacking department, with countless names mentioned for a switch to Merseyside.

Benjamin Sesko, Victor Osimhen and Liam Delap have all been touted with a switch to join the club, as Slot looks to land a new talisman to provide the goods in the final third.

However, in an attempt to aid any one of the aforementioned stars in their attempts at the club, they’ve also entered the race to land Lyon star Rayan Cherki, according to French outlet L’Equipe.

The report claims that the Reds are keen on a move for the 21-year-old star, who’s registered a staggering 32 combined goals and assists in his 44 appearances across all competitions.

It also states that the French side would be willing to part ways with the forward for a fee in the region of £34m this summer, with the youngster keen on a move to the Premier League ahead of 2025/26.

Why Liverpool’s £34m target is the dream Wirtz alternative

Bayer Leverkusen’s attacking midfielder, Florian Wirtz, has emerged as a key target for Liverpool over the last couple of days, with a move to Anfield on the cards this summer.

It emerged that the German and his representatives travelled to Merseyside for talks with the club over a potential move to the club, but also face competition from Bayern Munich.

However, given his record of 30 combined goals and assists this season, it’s likely the 22-year-old could command a fee that would break their record transfer, currently standing at £85m for Darwin Núñez.

His tally represents that it would be a worthwhile deal, providing another level of creativity to the already impressive front line that fired the club to the title.

However, given the difference in fee, the hierarchy would be better off pursuing a move for Cherki, with the French star a much cheaper investment, subsequently allowing for further signings elsewhere.

It may seem like a cost-effective solution, but when comparing the pair’s respective figures from the current campaign, the Lyon talent has managed to match or better him in numerous key areas.

Cherki, who’s been labelled “generational” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has registered more progressive passes and more passes into the final third – showcasing his creative nature with the ball at his feet.

Games played

30

31

Goals & assists

19

22

Progressive passes

9.1

6.7

Pass accuracy

79%

78%

Passes into final third

4.3

3.6

Shot-creating actions

6.4

5.6

Take-on success

51%

49%

Aerials won

33%

20%

He’s also produced more shot-creating actions per 90, along with more take-ons completed, having the ability to produce chances for himself but also his teammates.

The youngster’s talents don’t stop there, winning more aerial battles, and registering a higher shot-on-target rate – handing the Reds an all-round threat within attacking areas.

Given the potential difference in transfer fee, the club should look to pursue a move for the Lyon star, having just as much, if not more, of an effect than Wirtz in attacking areas.

At just 21, he has the potential to explode into life on Merseyside, potentially being a bargain and a player to star under Slot for many years to come – handing them a boost in their ambitions of further success.

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Crystal Palace have now joined Manchester United in the race to sign a “magnificent” £19 million playmaker who could replace Eberechi Eze, according to a recent report.

Eze edges closer to Crystal Palace exit after FA Cup triumph

It was a weekend to remember for the Eagles as they secured their first major trophy in their history by winning the FA Cup and, in the process, also secured Europa League football for next season.

This achievement will likely see Palace spend some money this summer, as Oliver Glasner looks to build a squad which is capable of competing in Europe and domestically.

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Despite securing European football, it appears it hasn’t done much in terms of them retaining the services of Eberechi Eze for next season. The Englishman, who got the only goal of the game over the weekend, has been a standout performer this season and is now wanted by several clubs from the Premier League.

Not long after beating Man City in the final, it was reported that incoming City sporting director Hugo Viana has made a move to sign Eze for the Blues. Eze is thought to have a release clause worth around £68-70 million, and the Etihad hierarchy are ready to activate it.

But City are not the only team ready to activate Eze’s release clause, as a report from Spain has stated that Chelsea are also lining up an offer for the exciting attacking midfielder. The fact that Eze has a release clause means the likelihood is that Palace will lose their talisman this summer unless he downright demands to stay, and therefore, a replacement may well be needed.

Crystal Palace in race to sign Rayan Cherki

The Eagles appear to already have a player in mind when it comes to replacing Eze, as according to a report from Spain, Crystal Palace are interested in signing Rayan Cherki from Lyon, who are desperate to sell their midfielder.

The report states that Lyon’s financial situation means they are having to consider letting players leave the club this summer. It goes on to add that the French side are looking to improve their accounts quickly and therefore are willing to sell Cherki for around 22 million euros, which is roughly £19 million, and they hope an offer will arrive soon.

Rayan Cherki’s 24/25 league stats compared to Eze
	Cherki	Eze
Apps	30	32
Starts	22	30
Goals	8	7
xG	5.0	10.2
Assists	11	8
Progressive carries	106	67

Palace are not the only team chasing the 21-year-old, as Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are also keen on the Frenchman, as well as Manchester United, who have been contacted with the chance to sign Cherki.

The right-winger, who can also play in a more central position, has been dubbed “magnificent” by scout/writer Jacek Kulig, and he could be seen as a player who could fit perfectly into Eze’s playmaker role.

Fabrizio Romano has even reported that Lyon have confirmed Cherki will be leaving the club this summer, and were Palace to sign him and lose Eze, it would represent a good bit of business for the South Londoners from a financial perspective, as much as it would hurt to see their cup final hero walk out the door.

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.”

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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.

Questions have been asked about Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca during his spell in charge after being appointed as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor last summer.

The Italian led Leicester City back to the Premier League, but jumped ship to take over at Stamford Bridge, with many wondering whether he would be the right man for the job.

However, nearly 12 months on from his appointment, he’s exceeded all expectations, showcasing he’s the right man for the job based on his success to date.

The 45-year-old has secured the Blues a place in the Champions League for next season, whilst also claiming Europa Conference League glory against Real Betis on Wednesday night.

It’s been a campaign to remember for Maresca, but if he wants to continue his progress in the role, he will need added funds provided by the hierarchy to help him in his quest.

The latest on Chelsea’s hunt for new signings this summer

Over the last couple of hours, Chelsea have made huge strides in a deal to sign Liam Delap, with the 22-year-old agreeing to a move to join the Blues this summer.

It was confirmed that he has rejected offers from multiple other Premier League sides, leaving Maresca’s side to trigger his release clause and complete the formalities before announcing his move to West London.

However, despite the progress made on a deal for the Ipswich Town star, another name in the form of Viktor Gyokeres has once again entered the mix, according to Record Portugal.

The report claims that the Blues have made an enquiry to sign the 26-year-old this summer, after his stupendous record of 54 goals in just 52 matches across all competitions.

It also states that they face stern competition from Juventus for the Swedish international’s signature, with Sporting CP demanding a fee in the region of £60m to part ways with the talisman this window.

Why Chelsea’s £60m target would be a better signing than Delap

With Delap’s move appearing to be moving closer to completion, Maresca could finally be about to land the new striker that he’s been craving in recent months.

Nicolas Jackson has been his main talisman since his arrival, with the Senegalese international scoring 10 times in the Premier League during the Italian’s first year in charge.

Such a record is respectable, but if the side are to reach the next level under his guidance, they will need that proven goalscorer to fire them towards the top end of the table.

Delap has shown he’s capable of doing just that, scoring 12 times in the Premier League for the Tractor Boys, with such a record being an impressive one given their relegation this season.

However, when comparing his stats to those of Gyokeres, the Swede has showcased that his performance levels are night and day – proving that he would be a far better addition than the Englishman.

The Swede, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, has massively outscored him in 2024/25, whilst also posting a higher shot on target rate – showcasing the clinical nature he possesses.

He’s also managed to complete more of the passes he’s attempted, whilst also registering more progressive carries per 90 – having the skillset to hand other players around him the best chance of improving their own tallies.

How Gyokeres compares to Delap in 2024/25

Statistics (per 90)

Gyokeres

Delap

Games played

33

37

Goals & assists

46

14

Shot-on-target accuracy

52%

43%

Pass accuracy

72%

61%

Progressive carries

4.3

2.1

Take-ons completed

1.9

1.3

Aerials won

51%

42%

Fouls won

2.5

1.7

Stats via FBref

Gyokeres has also won more of the aerials he’s entered and draws more fouls, offering Maresca that focal point he’s craved, something which Delap may struggle to provide.

Given the progress on the deal for the Ipswich talisman, the hierarchy will have to act quickly to complete a deal for Gyokeres, or they could potentially miss out on his signature.

Nothing suggests that the club may not target both talents in the coming months, handing the Blues an added dimension in forward areas that could bolster their title charge in 2025/26.

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Tottenham Hotspur are now the favourites in the race for a £67m “pocket rocket”, who wants to move to the Premier League in the summer, according to a report.

Spurs seal European glory in Bilbao

Ange Postecoglou made it clear that he is always successful in his second season, and nothing has changed this time around, with Tottenham’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao sealing Europa League glory.

Not only does the triumph end the 17-year wait for a trophy, but it also grants Spurs qualification to next season’s Champions League, which should make a move to north London far more appealing for some of Europe’s top players this summer.

In fact, the Lilywhites now have renewed hope of being able to sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi this summer, with club chiefs adamant that the prospect of playing in the Champions League could tempt the England international into a move.

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By
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The doubt lingering over Cristian Romero’s future means signing a new centre-back could be important for Tottenham this summer, while they are also keen to strengthen in more attacking areas of the pitch.

Indeed, according to a report from Spain, RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons is now a priority target for Spurs, who are believed to be among the favourites in the race for his signature, but a deal will be on the expensive side.

Leipzig are set to hold out for a fee of €80m (£67m) in order to sanction Simons’ departure, amid widespread interest, with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal recently being named as potential suitors.

Qualification for the Champions League means Spurs could have the funds to get a deal done, and a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium may appeal to the 22-year-old, as he is believed to be keen on a move to the Premier League.

"Pocket rocket" Simons could be exciting signing for Spurs

Of course, finally winning silverware was of key significance for Tottenham, but an added bonus of winning the Europa League is the fact it should allow them to compete for some top players this summer, and the Leipzig attacking midfielder could be firmly in that category.

After making a name for himself at PSV Eindhoven, the Dutchman has taken his game to the next level over the past two seasons, regularly contributing with goals and assists for Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

Season	Bundesliga appearances	Goals	Assists
2023-24	32	8	13
2024-25	25	10	7

Not only that, but the Netherlands international has been lauded as a “pocket rocket” by analyst Raj Chohan, who also insisted he would take the former PSV man at Liverpool ahead of Real Madrid star Rodrygo.

With Liverpool now closing in on the signing of Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz, however, the path is now becoming clearer for Tottenham to sign Simons, and there are plenty of indications the Leipzig star could be an exciting addition to the squad.

Celtic ended the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership campaign with a 1-1 draw against St Mirren at Parkhead, having already clinched the title at the end of last month.

Jonah Ayunga’s goal gave the away side a shock lead at the start of the second half, but James Forrest stepped up in stoppage time to score a league goal for the Hoops for the 16th consecutive season – an extraordinary achievement.

As you can see in the clip above, central defender Liam Scales failed to get good distance on his headed clearance, which teed up Ayunga to rifle the ball into the back of the net.

Liam Scales' performance against St Mirren in numbers

The left-footed defender came into the side to replace Auston Trusty next to Cameron Carter-Vickers, with a chance to catch the eye ahead of the cup final.

Whilst he may not be happy with the goal that Celtic conceded and his part in it, Scales did a lot of good work in the match to keep the away side at bay.

The central defender ended the 90 minutes with eight clearances, four interceptions, and eight duels won, including seven out of 11 aerial battles won, which shows that he made a number of key defensive interventions.

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Meanwhile, central midfielder Paulo Bernardo was even worse than Scales and should be dropped by Brendan Rodgers for the SFA Cup final clash with Aberdeen next weekend.

Why Paulo Bernardo should be dropped

The Portuguese midfielder was given another chance to impress in the middle of the park ahead of the cup final, as Reo Hatate has been ruled out through injury.

There is a vacancy in the midfield next to Callum McGregor and Arne Engels, due to the Japanese star’s absence, and it should be Luke McCowan who is given the nod, not Bernardo.

In the clash with St Mirren, the former Benfica starlet lost 67% (4/6) of his duels and failed to create a single chance for his teammates in 54 minutes on the pitch.

This shows that he struggled in and out of possession for the Hoops and was even worse than Scales, who at least made numerous defensive interventions and completed 94% of his attempted passes.

Key passes

6

1

Big chances created

1

0

Assists

2

0

Shots

4

6

Goals

1

0

Duels won

4/9

7/12

Tackles + interceptions

4

6

As you can see in the table above, in the two matches since Hatate suffered his knee injury, McCowan has provided far more quality in possession from a midfield position in comparison to Bernardo.

These statistics suggest that the former Dundee man is more likely to make a big impact from the start at Hampden Park against Aberdeen next weekend, given his recent form in front of goal.

Therefore, Rodgers must take Bernardo out of the starting XI to bring the Scottish dynamo back into the side when the team takes to the field with the ambition of winning the treble.

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1 ByDan Emery May 17, 2025