The defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night highlights the need for a serious overhaul at Manchester United this summer.

Ruben Amorim’s side were unable to get the better of their Premier League opponents, topping off what has been a dismal campaign on and off the pitch for the Red Devils.

The manager has attempted to make the best out of the players currently on the books at Old Trafford, but he’s so far been unable to do so in his seven-month spell at the helm.

In the aftermath of the loss, the 40-year-old stated that he would leave if the board didn’t think he was the right man for the job, but they have since backed the former Sporting CP boss to turn things around.

However, the real backing will come within the transfer market, allowing him to make the necessary changes he requires to catapult the side back to their former glory.

The latest on Alejandro Garnacho's future

Attacker Alejandro Garnacho has previously been linked with a move away from United in recent months, with Chelsea and Napoli registering interest in his services back in January.

However, the Argentine could well leave the Red Devils this window, after being benched for the Europa League final and venting his frustrations in an interview after the game.

It’s been reported by ESPN that the player and his representatives are frustrated after the loss in Bilbao, with the 20-year-old now seeing his future away from the Theatre of Dreams.

The report also claims that he already has proposals to leave the club during the off-season, but doesn’t mention how much the hierarchy would demand for his signature.

However, despite the situation surrounding Garnacho, one other player needs to be sold this summer after his dismal run within the ranks since Amorim’s arrival.

The United player who needs to be sold alongside Garnacho

United’s lowly league standing in 2024/25 is nothing short of unacceptable, especially considering the previous success endured over the last few decades.

The club have gone from fighting for Premier League titles to now sitting in 16th position and out of all forms of European football in 2025/26 – something which could impact their finances.

Whilst new signings are undoubtedly needed to improve the current situation, it could depend on departures from the current squad, with Garnacho one who looks set to be sacrificed.

However, he could be joined out of the door by striker Rasmus Hojlund, with the Danish international clearly not at the level required for future success.

The 22-year-old was bought for £72m in the summer of 2023, with huge things expected, but he’s simply failed to deliver – notching just 10 goals in his 51 appearances this season.

He’s been unable to extract his best performances, even going 21 games without a goal at one stage, leading to one content creator labelling him as a “serious problem”.

Despite his disappointing showings, he was handed a start in the Europa League final on Wednesday night, but once again showcased the need for a new talisman during the summer.

Hojlund only registered a tally of 15 touches during his 71-minute display, unable to provide the focal point or threat that was required to claim European glory.

It’s no secret that Amorim has had to stick with the former Atalanta star during the early months of his tenure, certainly wanting to recruit his own players during the upcoming window.

Games played

31

Goals scored

4

Shots taken

1.4

Successful passes per 90

11.2

Dribble success

30%

Times dispossessed

1.6

Aerials won

23%

Whilst the hierarchy would likely lose a huge chunk of their investment, it’s vital that he’s offloading in the coming months, along with Garnacho, to hand the manager the funds he needs for change.

It’s a shame that the move has been unsuccessful, with the board needing to remember such a signing in the near future as they attempt to land the clinical goalscorer they crave.

He'd send Hojlund packing: Man Utd in talks for dream Gyokeres alternative

Manchester United are making moves to land a new striker who’d end Rasmus Hojlund’s time at Old Trafford.

ByEthan Lamb May 23, 2025

A huge summer awaits for Everton.

As outlined by Rob Tanner of The Athletic, the Toffees currently have ten first-team players out of contract, which is more than any other Premier League club, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Idrissa Gana Gueye and captain Séamus Coleman, to name but a few.

So, as they move into their brand-new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, there’s going to be plenty of work for David Moyes and the back room staff to do in the transfer window, but could a current member of the squad step up and come to the fore?

The latest on Abdoulaye Doucouré's Everton future

As was widely reported this week, Abdoulaye Doucouré will leave Everton this summer as a free agent, following the expiration of his contract, stating that he is “sad to leave” and that he “will be forever a Blue”.

After scoring the winner at Nottingham Forest last month, the Mali international mimed answering the phone and signing a contract, overtly stating his desire to stay, but his five-year association with the Toffees will come to an end, with Sunday’s trip to Newcastle set to be his 166th and final appearance for the club.

Given that Doucouré has started 31 of Everton’s 37 Premier League matches to date this season, one of the five he missed being due to a red card picked up after full time of the Merseyside derby celebrations, he will be a tough man to replace.

But do the Toffees already have a young star coming through ready to do just that?

Everton's next midfield stalwart

Cast your mind back to last summer when, as outlined by Gabriele Marcotti of ESPN, certain Premier League clubs, namely Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Everton, were swapping players on the cusp of the 30 June deadline, thereby avoiding breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules.

One such deal saw Villa sign Lewis Dobbin for a reported £10m from Everton, while Tim Iroegbunam went in the opposite direction, costing the Toffees a reported £9m.

The majority of the players involved in these conspicuous deals had no impact at the club they joined, as the table below outlines.

Selected Premier League transfers pre-30 June 2024
Players	Club joined	Appearances 24/25
Lewis Dobbin*	Aston Villa	Zero
Omari Kellyman	Chelsea	Zero
Odysseas Vlachodimos	Newcastle	1
Samuel Iling-Junior*	Aston Villa	Zero
Enzo Barrenechea*	Aston Villa	Zero
*spent the season out on loan
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt

Iroegbunam, in truth, made only 21 appearances for Everton this season, totalling a mere 676 minutes, so could feature on this list for sure, but this was largely due to a foot injury suffered against Newcastle in October, keeping him on the sidelines until February, having started each of the Blues’ first four matches of the campaign beforehand.

His only start under Moyes came when Arsenal visited Goodison in April, but the 21-year-old is highly-rated, with Steven Gerrard, when he was at Aston Villa, saying that Iroegbunam possesses “all the attributes to be a top Premier League player” in the future.

Meantime, Jacob Tanswell of The Athletic praised the youngster’s ‘sharp counter-pressing’, while Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout outlined how he ‘regularly roams forward in attack’, while boasting ‘defensive awareness, speed and tackling ability’, making him an excellent all-round midfielder.

These all sound like similar characteristics to Doucouré, so let’s assess how the duo compare.

Abdoulaye Doucouré vs Tim Iroegbunam comparison
Statistics	Doucouré 24/25	Iroegbunam 23/24 & 24/25
Appearances	32	27
Minutes	2,563	722
Goals	3	Zero
Assists	2	1
All statistics below are per 90
Shots	1.09	0.61
Completed passes	26	20
Pass completion %	80.2%	77.9%
Interceptions	0.3	0.9
Clearances	0.6	0.6
% of ground duels won	53%	50%
% of aerial duels won	37%	50%
Tackles	1.5	1.6
% of dribblers tackled	32.6%	56.3%
Ball recoveries	5	8
Touches	41	43
Average Sofascore Rating	6.77	6.55
Note: Statistics are Premier League only
Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt, FBref.com and SofaScore

Of course, Iroegbunam’s lack of Premier League minutes does mean only a small sample size can be analysed, but his statistics are still impressive.

The table outlines that Doucouré is more of a goal threat, but that Iroegbunam is a better out-of-possession midfielder, boasting superior numbers when it comes to ball recoveries, interceptions, clearances, tackles and aerial duels.

These are all qualities Moyes would look for in a midfield player and, while Patrick Boyland of the Athletic believes Iroegbunam is still ‘adapting’ to a new style of play, the stats suggest he could become a key figure for the Toffees next season.

Forget Angel Gomes & Doucoure: Moyes must unleash exciting Everton teen

Everton won’t need to delve into the market to land a replacement for Abdoulaye Doucoure, given one player already at the club.

By
Ethan Lamb

May 22, 2025

There is no shortage of transfer links swirling around the Leeds United sphere as the club eye up plenty of players for possible moves to Elland Road this summer.

The Whites will be in the market to strengthen their squad after they won the Championship, with 100 points, and earned promotion back to the Premier League.

Daniel Farke is looking to bolster his team with new signings, and has already been linked with a number of stars. The club are reportedly in talks over a deal for Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol, for example.

The Championship champions have also reportedly made contact with Premier League rivals Fulham over a potential move for their centre-forward Rodrigo Muniz.

Leeds are clearly targeting players in several areas of the pitch, in defence and in attack, but there is one central midfielder who has also been linked with a return to Elland Road, Kalvin Phillips.

However, a recent report suggested that a move back to West Yorkshire is unlikely for the Manchester City outcast, which could be good news for Farke.

Why Leeds should not sign Kalvin Phillips

TEAMtalk recently claimed that Leeds United are not planning a move to bring the England international back to the club this summer, because they have a budget that they do not want to waste and his £150k-per-week wages would be difficult to take on.

The outlet added that Phillips is also dealing with an Achilles problem that is set to keep him out for a big chunk of pre-season next month, which means that he would be playing catch-up heading into the campaign when the Whites need a fast start.

Even taking the financial issue and his injury situation out of the equation, the West Yorkshire outfit should not sign the defensive midfielder because of his dismal performances in the Premier League in recent years.

Phillips failed to make the grade at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola and was sent out on loan to West Ham United for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign, before joining Ipswich on loan this season.

Appearances

12

19

Starts

3

14

Dribbled past per game

4x

25x

Error led to shot

0

1

Error led to goal

1

1

Red cards

1

1

Ground duel success rate

42%

46%

As you can see in the table above, the 29-year-old dud was dribbled past more than once per start across both spells and dominated in duels on the deck, whilst also being sent off for both clubs.

Phillips has been a liability in the Premier League in the past 18 months, as evidenced by his dismal statistics and the scathing criticism from referee Mike Dean in the clip below, and that is why the club are right not to be interested in signing him this summer.

Farke, however, could land his own version of Phillips, when he was at his best at Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa, by signing the club’s latest reported target.

Leeds eyeing deal for Championship star

According to the printed edition of the Daily Mail (9 Jun, page 55), as relayed by MOT Leeds News, the Championship champions are lining up a move for Southampton defensive midfielder Shea Charles.

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The report claims that the Whites ‘admire’ the Northern Ireland international, who spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at Sheffield Wednesday, ahead of a potential swoop for him in the summer transfer window.

It does not, however, reveal how much money Southampton would want for the 21-year-old talent, who signed for the club from Manchester City in a deal reported to be worth up to £15m in the summer of 2023.

Leeds must, now, press ahead with a move to sign the Championship enforcer this summer because he could be Farke’s own version of Phillips next season.

Why Shea Charles could be Kalvin Phillips 2.0

As aforementioned, the Manchester City flop is not in his best moment right now, after two dismal loan spells, but he earned a move to Guardiola’s side off the back of two impressive seasons in the Premier League with Leeds under Bielsa.

In the 2020/21 campaign, Phillips made 4.2 tackles and interceptions per game, winning 52% of his duels, whilst completing 85% of his attempted passes in the top-flight.

That was the England international at his best for the Whites, as a combative and composed midfielder, and Charles’ performances for Sheffield Wednesday suggest that he can offer similar qualities in the middle of the park.

As you can see in the chart above, the Northern Irish star’s statistics this season are notably similar to Phillips’ in the 2020/21 Premier League campaign, whilst he also excelled more in possession as a progressive passer and carrier.

Whilst these statistics are only from his displays at Championship level, Charles has plenty of time left to develop and improve at the age of 21, and he could grow into being Farke’s own version of Phillips at his peak.

Appearances

43

Assists

5

Tackles + interceptions per game

3.9

Ball recoveries per game

5.7

Dribbled past per game

0.7x

Ground duel success rate

58%

Aerial duel success rate

60%

As you can see in the table above, the Southampton loanee caught the eye with his defensive work for the Owls in the second tier, making almost four tackles and interceptions per game without being dribbled past very often.

Charles, who talent scout Jacek Kulig claimed has “undeniable Premier League potential”, can offer the destructive midfield presence that Phillips provided Bielsa with, but without a tendency to be taken out of the game with ease by being dribbled past.

The midfield star may also be more reliable defensively than Phillips because he ended the season without any errors that led to shots or goals for the opposition and was not sent off a single time.

Therefore, Farke could unearth an even bigger talent than the England international by signing Charles, because he has the potential to be more reliable defensively whilst also offering more in possession with his progressive passes and progressive carries to influence play on the ball.

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It is now down to the club to strike an agreement with Southampton to bring the Northern Ireland international to Elland Road to bolster the manager’s midfield options for the 2025/26 campaign and beyond.

It has been a funny old season for Tottenham Hotspur this year.

Ange Postecoglou’s side were abysmally poor in the Premier League and FA Cup but somehow managed to win the Europa League.

Now the North Londoners have the Champions League to look forward to next year, although based on how utterly dominant Paris Saint-Germain were in the final on Sunday, they’ll need to add some real quality to the squad in the coming weeks and months.

Fortunately, recent reports have suggested that the club may well be closing in on the signing of a top-quality midfielder who has won comparisons to one of the stars for PSG in the final: Vitinha.

Tottenham transfer news

The last few weeks have seen Spurs linked with several incredible talents, such as Daizen Maeda and Rayan Cherki.

Transfer Focus

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The former might not be the most exciting name, but considering he scored an astounding 33 goals and 12 assists in 51 games for Celtic this season, his supposed £25m price tag could represent a real bargain.

Yet, Cherki might be an even better deal, as the young Frenchman has been able to rack up a tally of 12 goals and 20 assists in 44 appearances for Lyon this year and could be available for around £19m thanks to a release clause in his contract.

Even still, the North Londoners now seem keen on someone who’d possibly be the best deal of the lot, and it’s another player from Ligue 1: Angel Gomes.

According to a recent report from journalist Ben Jacobs, Spurs have already made an offer for the England international.

In more good news, he goes on to reveal that while other clubs, including West Ham United, have also made offers for the midfielder, Tottenham have “grown in confidence” that they’ll be able to get their man.

The reason so many teams have already submitted offers to the player is that he’ll be a free agent at the end of this month and, therefore, represents a sensational bargain.

In all, it’s a deal Spurs should be fighting to get sealed as soon as possible, as, on top of his own qualities, Gomes has also won comparisons to the incredible Champions League-winning Vitinha.

How Gomes compares to Vitinha

So, before we get to some of the other reasons Spurs should be signing Gomes this summer, it’s important to address this comparison to the unreal Vitinha and where it’s come from.

Well, in this instance, it stems from FBref, which compared players in similar positions in Ligue 1 last season and came to the conclusion that the Portuguse star was the ninth most similar midfielder to the Englishman ace in the competition.

The best way to understand how this conclusion was reached is by looking at some of the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, such as non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive passes and carries, passing accuracy, key passes, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.

Non-Penalty Expected G+As

0.29

0.27

Progressive Passes

7.13

7.71

Progressive Carries

1.71

1.74

Passing Accuracy

89.4%

89.7%

Expected Assists

0.21

0.17

Key Passes

1.68

1.57

Successful Take-On %

62.9%

61.5%

Aerial Duels Won

0.24

0.17

On top of his undeniable similarities to a European champion, the midfield “magician,” as dubbed by fellow professional Jonathan Panzo, has plenty of experience.

For example, despite being just 24 years old, the Edmonton-born star has made ten appearances for Manchester United, 32 for Boavista, four for the England senior side and 134 for Lille.

Ultimately, even if he wasn’t available for free, Spurs would be wise to sign the experienced and reliable Gomes, so the fact he’s available for free makes this transfer a total no-brainer.

He's shades of Bale: Spurs confident of signing "superstar" winger for £0

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ByMatt Dawson Jun 2, 2025

For some very young Sunderland supporters, next season could be the first time they’ve ever seen their side compete in the luxuries of the Premier League.

It has been nearly a decade since the Black Cats called the top-flight their footballing home, with the Wearside outfit even falling all the way down to League One at one disastrous stage after their relegation from the big time in 2017.

Now, however, after an unbelievable playoff final success at Wembley against Sheffield United, Regis Le Bris’ men are back on the map.

They won’t want to merely make up the numbers next season, though, and be known as relegation fodder, with a statement move on the table to bring back Jordan Henderson just one early indicator of how ambitious they are willing to be in the chaotic transfer market.

Sunderland's ongoing pursuit of Henderson

Henderson’s potential emotional return to Wearside is the talk of the town at the moment around the Stadium of Light as various rumours filter through about the current Ajax midfielder’s near future.

Football Insider have recently reported that a spectacular reunion deal could soon be on the cards, with the likes of journalist Ben Jacobs also weighing in by revealing on X that the newly promoted side are considering an approach.

Of course, this would be an ideal move for Sunderland as they try to consolidate themselves as a Premier League-ready outfit again, considering the former Liverpool captain has managed to amass 433 top-flight appearances across his esteemed playing days to date.

But, at 34 years of age, it would be unfair for Le Bris and Co. to expect Henderson to come in and not look a little rusty.

Therefore, whilst it would be a stunning coup to pull off with a Sunderland-born star dramatically returning home, landing this attacking menace could well be viewed as an even bigger accomplishment considering he’s still causing Premier League defenders havoc to this day.

One Sunderland return would be a bigger coup than Henderson

Amazingly, this other deal churned out by the rumour mill sees the Black Cats linked with another memorable ex-player.

Much like Henderson’s spell, Amad Diallo’s loan stint at the Stadium of Light was fleeting but hard to forget, with the Ivorian nearly firing Sunderland up to the Premier League during his solitary campaign under Tony Mowbray’s guidance.

He could finally return now – as per a report by African outlet 225 Foot earlier this week – with his expertise of the Premier League on the books of Manchester United making it very likely that he would add to his Black Cats tally of 14 goals and four assists if a statement reunion occurred.

Amad finally being able to nail down a starting spot at Old Trafford could make this deal an unrealistic one to get over the line. That said, a recent report from TEAMTalk did suggest that United could be tempted to part ways with their explosive winger if the price was right, amidst financial concerns at the Theatre of Dreams.

Amad’s G/A numbers by season for Sunderland vs after Sunderland

Season

Club

Games played

Goals scored

Assists

24/25

Man United

43

11

9

23/24

Man United

12

2

1

21/22

Sunderland

42

14

4

Sourced by Transfermarkt

It’s clear from the table above why United would be so hesitant to part ways with their attacking “wizard” – as he’s been previously lauded by journalist James Copley – with Amad just fresh off his career best tally at the Red Devils of 20 goal contributions from 43 clashes, even as the ship keeps sinking in Manchester.

Yet, if Sunderland were to offer a tempting bid around Amad’s £40m Football Transfers valuation, the out-of-sorts giants could be more drawn to the idea of selling, with a top-drawer performer at the level then on the Black Cats’ roster.

The story of Henderson’s Sunderland return after so long away would make that a fantastic deal to sign off on, but whilst the 34-year-old’s best days in the challenging league are likely behind him, the tricky 22-year-old could get even better with time.

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Arsenal chiefs are ready to bid up to £63 million for another key target after offering him a contract, according to a report this week, with sporting director Andrea Berta wasting no time at all after reportedly sealing a move for Martin Zubimendi.

Arsenal seal deal for Zubimendi with more signings on the cards

Fabrizio Romano confirmed earlier this week that Arsenal are set to make Zubimendi their first signing of the summer window, securing a replacement for the exit-bound Jorginho in swift fashion.

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ByEmilio Galantini May 14, 2025

The Spain international, who played a role in his country’s triumph at Euro 2024, replacing Rodri in the final against England, has been a star player for Sociedad over many years.

2. Arsenal

68

3. Newcastle United

66

4. Man City

65

5. Chelsea

63

6. Aston Villa

63

7. Nottingham Forest

62

However, after initially rejecting a Premier League switch to Liverpool last summer, Zubimendi will now depart his boyhood club and make his long-anticipated move to England – where Arsenal will welcome the 26-year-old with open arms.

Man United legend Paul Scholes criticised Arsenal’s capture of the midfielder when speaking on The Overlap, but fellow pundit Gary Neville explained why he disagrees.

“I’m surprised you say that, I’m really surprised you say that,” said Neville in response to Scholes, who suggested there isn’t a place in the Arsenal first-team for Zubimendi.

“I genuinely don’t believe Rice or Partey are anywhere near as good at receiving the ball as some of the other midfielders in the Premier League.

“I think Declan Rice is a brilliant player and Thomas Partey is a very good player, but I don’t think they’ve got anyone who can control a football match properly in the top games. I think they really struggle with that. I think Jorginho is the best of them. I’m surprised you don’t see that. They need someone to control the ball and keep it moving.”

After agreeing Zubimendi’s move, on-lookers are keen to ascertain who will follow him to N5.

It is no secret that Berta is in the market for a new striker at Arsenal, and he’s highly expected to bring a prolific goalscorer to the Emirates, which is viewed as one of the missing pieces of Mikel Arteta’s jigsaw.

Arsenal ready to bid £63m for Viktor Gyokeres after offering £135k-per-week deal

According to Portuguese news outlet A Bola this week, Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres remains high on their agenda.

The Sweden international has established himself as one of Europe’s most lethal marksmen, chalking up a pretty incredible 52 goals across 50 appearances in all competitions this season alone.

The 26-year-old is a rumoured top target for Berta, and A Bola report that the north Londoners have offered him contract terms worth £135,000-per-week after tax. They also state that Arsenal are ready to bid up to £63 million for Gyokeres after making this proposal, as they seek to win the race for his signature early doors.

Other Portuguese media outlets have reported that Arsenal are fearful Chelsea could hijack their move for Gyokeres, so it is little surprise Berta is attempting to move in early.

Called a “massively underrated” striker, the former Coventry City star appears certain to finally depart Sporting before summer deadline day on September 1.

Promotion up to the Premier League will surely be Ryan Mason’s main, intimidating task when he shortly steps into the West Bromwich Albion dug-out.

After all, Regis Le Bris managed to guide Sunderland up to the promised land during his debut campaign at the Sunderland helm, meaning the 33-year-old will be hoping that the good luck that rubbed off on the Frenchman comes his way too.

He would love to use his Tottenham Hotspur connections to feel more comfortable in his new surroundings. Indeed, rumours continue to swirl that Mason could soon add North London starlet Mikey Moore to his ranks on loan this summer.

West Brom's ongoing pursuit of Moore

Of course, adding Moore to the camp would be an exciting purchase to kick off Mason’s new regime.

The 17-year-old Spurs attacking prodigy will surely be champing at the bit to test himself out on loan away from his boyhood employers, considering a bumper 36 goals and assists combined have now come his way in the U18 and U21 ranks.

He even broke his senior duck last season when galloping forward in the Europa League up against Elfsborg, with the challenges of the Championship now his potential next onward destination to strut his stuff even more.

However, it could be argued that the Baggies aren’t in desperate need of reinforcements down either the left or right wing – which is where Moore predominantly operates – with both Tom Fellows and Mikey Johnston top-drawer options on these flanks already. Between them, the entertaining duo can boast 41 goal contributions and counting in the second tier.

Therefore, adding in the teenage sensation might not be deemed the most urgent priority, irrespective of Moore’s familiarity with Mason.

On the other hand, swooping in for some centre-back reinforcements will be judged as a must, with this new, defensive colossus potentially West Brom’s chosen target.

The defender who could be a better signing than Moore

West Brom’s transfer activity this time around is already playing out like their business from last summer, with centre-back brute Semi Ajayi allowed to leave the Hawthorns for nothing, much like Cedric Kipre before him.

With Mason Holgate also only on the Baggies’ books on loan, that leaves the potential promotion chasers light on numbers in this department, which is where Liverpool titan Nathaniel Phillips, who has been linked with a move to the club, could come to the rescue.

Whilst Phillips has impressed infrequently for the Reds – as seen in his impressive tally of seven clean sheets from 17 Premier League clashes – it’s his expertise of the Championship when chucked out on loan away from Anfield that will instantly stick out for Mason and Co, with this headed effort last campaign for Derby County just one key contribution he managed during his memorable loan stint.

In total, the one-time Premier League title winner has now amassed 67 appearances at the daunting level, with his tag as a “monster”, as he was once labelled by Jurgen Klopp, clear for all to see last season when bravely battling away for the relegation-threatened Rams.

Phillips’ league numbers on loan with Derby (24/25)

Stat – per 90 mins*

Phillips

Games played

32

Goals scored

1

Assists

3

Ball recoveries*

2.6

Clearances*

5.0

Total duels won*

6.0

Clean sheets

5

Stats by Sofascore

Indeed, the £45k-per-week powerhouse would end his sterling season with six duels won on average across his 32 Championship clashes. To add context, the departing Ajayi would only win 3.3 himself across the same period.

Therefore, adding in the “intelligent” Phillips – as Klopp also glowingly described him – could really enhance Mason’s defensive options as he goes about building a promotion-worthy team.

Whereas, when it comes to the promising Moore, there’s no guarantee he would instantly upset the apple cart at the Hawthorns on his arrival and push into the first team mix, which is why Phillips would be an even better signing.

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Leeds United will be doing plenty of deals in the next couple of months in an attempt to build a squad that can avoid an instant relegation from the Premier League.

The Whites have already made one new signing to bolster Daniel Farke’s options at the top end of the pitch, as Lukas Nmecha has agreed a deal to join the club on a free transfer from Wolfsburg at the start of next month.

He only scored three goals in 19 appearances in the Bundesliga during the 2024/25 campaign, and has only scored eight league goals in the last three seasons combined.

This does not suggest that Nmecha is likely to be the go-to centre-forward option from the start for the West Yorkshire outfit, but the former Germany international could provide experienced back-up to the other number nines in the squad.

The 26-year-old star will not be the last striker to arrive at Elland Road this summer, though, as reporter Graham Smyth claimed that the club are still looking for another addition in that position.

This could spell bad news for 21-year-old marksman Mateo Joseph’s future in West Yorkshire, amid speculation that he could move on ahead of next season.

Why Mateo Joseph could leave Leeds

The Spain U21 international is reportedly being eyed up by several clubs, as GIVEMESPORT recently claimed that Birmingham, Strasbourg, and Real Betis are all keen on securing his signature.

This suggests that there will be no shortage of suitors for the Whites academy graduate if Farke decides that he will not be a part of his plans for the Premier League season, which will kick off with a clash against Everton on the first Monday Night Football of the campaign.

Joseph has now had a taste of first-team football, with 61 Championship outings and four goals in the last two seasons, and should be wanting to play regular minutes next term to continue his development.

The Spanish youngster only scored three goals in 39 matches for Leeds in the second tier during the 2024/25 campaign, but did put up some promising underlying numbers.

Non-penalty xG

0.36

Top 29%

Shots total

2.73

Top 11%

Shots on target

1.05

Top 17%

Non-penalty goals

0.21

Bottom 34%

xAG

0.13

Top 20%

Assists

0.21

Top 6%

Shot-creating actions

2.31

Top 20%

Touches in the opposition’s box

5.25

Top 10%

As you can see in the table above, Joseph ranked highly among his positional peers when it came to getting into high-quality shooting positions and creating chances for others, but his finishing let him down.

A loan move away from Leeds to play regularly and hone his skills next term could be the ideal next step for him, whilst Leeds are eyeing up a striker who could be an upgrade on him in the short term.

Leeds plotting move for new striker

According to TEAMtalk, the Championship champions are eyeing up further forward additions after the signing of Nmecha, and Besiktas striker Semih Kilicsoy is one of the players they are plotting a move for.

The Turkish attacker and Fulham centre-forward Rodrigo Muniz are both said to be targets for the West Yorkshire outfit, as they look to improve Farke’s options in the final third.

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TEAMtalk adds that Leeds are moving forward in deals to sign Muniz, Kilicsoy, and USG’s Noah Sadiki, with the Besiktas whiz said to be available for a fee of £18m.

The outlet claims that the Whites have extensively scouted the Turkey U21 international and view him as a versatile star with potential who would come in as a long-term signing for Farke.

If Leeds can get an £18m deal over the line to sign the 19-year-old forward during the summer transfer window then they could have an immediate upgrade on both Nmecha and Joseph for next season.

Why Leeds should sign Semih Kilicsoy

There are many reasons why signing the teenage marksman from Besiktas makes a lot of sense for Leeds, including his age profile. At 19, he has many years left ahead of him to develop and improve as a player, which means that the striker could grow in value over time.

It also means that he may not demand to be the first-choice number nine week-in-week-out in the Premier League straight away, and be happy to be a versatile bench option at first, which would allow the Whites to also sign a more experienced striker, such as Muniz.

Kilicsoy’s performances for Besiktas in the last two seasons also suggest that he would offer more quality in front of goal than both Nmecha and Joseph in the top-flight.

The Turkish attacker, who was once hailed as “incredible” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, scored 15 goals and provided nine assists in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons combined for his club side.

Joseph managed seven goals and four assists for Leeds in all competitions, and Nmecha racked up five goals and zero assists in that same time, which immediately suggests that the teenage star has more to offer the team at the top end of the pitch.

Goals

0.21

0.21

xG on target

0.35

0.35

xA

0.13

0.10

Assists

0.14

0.21

Dribbles completed

2.49

0.78

Dribble success rate

57%

42%

Fouls won

2.00

1.29

As you can see in the table above, Kilicsoy offered more quality at the top end of the pitch than Joseph this season, with more goals and xA combined per 90, along with far more success in dribbling past opposition players.

Impressively, the teenage attacker managed 0.59 goals and 0.21 assists per 90 in the Super Lig in the previous campaign, when he managed 11 goals and four assists in the division, whilst Joseph scored one goal in 22 league games for Leeds that term.

Therefore, Kilicsoy could be a very exciting signing for Leeds as a young forward who has shown that he has the potential to make a big impact as both a scorer and a creator of goals, even more so than Joseph and Nmecha have in recent years.

Better than Aaronson: Leeds submit bid to sign £21m Sadiki alternative

Leeds are looking at signing a new midfielder this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Jun 17, 2025

This is why Leeds must press ahead with a deal to sign the £18m-rated centre-forward before the start of the Premier League season to bolster their attacking options.

Liverpool are making waves in the summer transfer window and could have plenty more exciting arrivals to come following an update from David Ornstein.

Liverpool closing in on Wirtz, Frimpong and Kerkez deals

Arne Slot has made a statement since arriving in the Anfield dugout last year and received wide acclaim from supporters after delivering the Premier League title during his debut season in charge.

Usually, there is an element of calm before the storm on the transfer front after a team wins the league. However, Liverpool already appear to be more active than most when it comes to incomings.

Characterising the start they have made on the recruitment front, Bayer Leverkusen duo Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong are poised to join the Reds and the finer details of either deal are being ironed out as the window edges closer.

Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez is also on the verge of joining Liverpool and his arrival could finally yield a long-term successor to displace Andy Robertson on the left-hand side of defence.

In recent years, it has often felt like the Reds have been slow off the mark in the market when it comes to elite pedigree, or they simply haven’t been able to convince marquee names that Anfield is a viable destination for the long-term.

Nottingham Forest now "want to do" deal for "amazing" £50m Liverpool player

The Tricky Trees are eager to sign a Premier League gem, as they prepare for a European campaign next season.

By
Dominic Lund

May 26, 2025

Now, the feeling is that Liverpool is a destination where excellence can be achieved for the foreseeable future, adding another feather in their cap alongside being England’s most successful club.

Looking towards the summer, renowned journalist Ornstein has now given a prognosis on what could happen next at the Merseyside giants.

David Ornstein teases more Liverpool transfer activity

Speaking to NBC Sports live from Anfield on Sunday, Ornstein let loose that Liverpool could be set to bring in several more stars, including a potential replacement for striker Darwin Nunez, in what is a ‘thrilling’ period for everyone connected to the Premier League title holders.

He said after referencing negotiations involving Wirtz, Frimpong and Kerkez: “There is more that they’ll look to do at Anfield, maybe a striker if Darwin Nunez leaves, and various other positions because there will be some departures inevitably… it is a thrilling time here at Anfield.”

In a spree for the trio previously mentioned that could exceed £150 million, adding more assets to the melting pot that is the Anfield changing room would be a major statement of intent from FSG heading into the new season.

Napoli have held talks with Nunez’s camp over a potential swoop that could see his £140,000 per week wages cleared off the books, paving the way for arrivals while shipping out a striker who hasn’t caught fire the way he would’ve liked under Slot.

Tough decisions are needed to maintain a steady stream of talent and hunger at Liverpool, but the Dutchman appears to have got the balance right and Ornstein’s update is likely to fuel supporters’ appetite for further success.

Aston Villa are pushing hard to sign an “exciting” £25m La Liga star, having now submitted a proposal, according to a report.

Villa set sights on new goalkeeper

Emiliano Martinez may well have signed off in the worst possible way in a Villa shirt, having been dismissed for a foul on Rasmus Hojlund at Old Trafford, before his side went on to lose 2-0 against Manchester United in controversial fashion.

However, the goalkeeper will, of course, be fondly remembered, should he decide to move on, given everything the Villans have achieved in recent years, securing a second European campaign on the spin despite the defeat against the Red Devils.

Not only that, but there have been hints that Martinez could remain at Villa Park beyond the end of the campaign, with Unai Emery simply saying “no way” when asked whether the Argentine has played his final game for the club.

Aston Villa could sign their new version of Grealish for £65m this summer

Aston Villa have been linked with a Premier League sensation

ByRoss Kilvington May 26, 2025

That said, while Emery clearly retains hope of keeping hold of the shot-stopper, Villa and Monchi’s pursuit of potential replacements suggests there is concern the 32-year-old will move on during the upcoming window.

According to a report from Spain (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa are now pushing hard to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, having submitted a proposal, but there is likely to be fierce competition for his signature from some top clubs.

Indeed, Newcastle United, Barcelona, Arsenal, Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen have also made proposals for Garcia, and with all the aforementioned clubs set to take part in next season’s Champions League, it could be difficult for the Villans to win the race.

The Spaniard, who has a reported asking price of £25m, is set to meet with his agent later this week, in order to choose his next club, having set his sights on joining a top side, so a decision could be on the horizon very soon.

"Exciting" Garcia could be solid Martinez replacement

Having proven himself with Espanyol, scout Ben Mattinson believes the Spanish shot-stopper is now ready to make the move to a top club, saying: “An uber-athletic keeper with dominant cross claiming, composure on the ball, standing at 6’3” tall, García is an exciting keeper ready for a step up.”

The 24-year-old is at a good age to be a long-term success at Villa Park, and he was an indispensable member of the Espanyol starting XI last season, appearing in all 38 of the Spanish side’s La Liga outings.

It will be a concern for Villa that so many other top clubs are in the race for the Espanyol star, but it was recently revealed that he has set his sights on being a regular starter, rather than playing second fiddle to another goalkeeper.

As such, if Martinez moves on this summer, a move to Villa Park could appeal to Garcia, given that a starting spot will be up for grabs.