All posts by z3u9t.icu

Newcastle United are confident that they will keep Alexander Isak in the squad this summer, but a new striker is being chased all the same.

Eddie Howe wants more firepower in the attacking third, with Callum Wilson ageing and out of contract, and William Osula, 21, drifting through his maiden year as a Magpie.

Well, The Telegraph understand talks with Brighton & Hove Albion are on the brink of kicking off for the transfer of Joao Pedro, who is valued at £60m and who the Seagulls are willing to sell this summer.

Newcastle open talks for sought-after star

Pedro, 23, is proven in the Premier League and has the dynamic faculties to complement Isak, rather than outright replace him. However, there may be an even bigger fish Howe could add to the Tyneside pond.

As per transfer insider Graeme Bailey, Newcastle have held talks with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike, putting their name in the hat as Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all tussle for the striker’s signature.

Ekitike might be the talk of the town, but it doesn’t seem like any suitor would be willing to meet the Bundesliga club’s €100m (£85m) valuation of the 22-year-old. Saying that, the player’s entourage have informed the relevant parties that a reduced figure may yet be agreed.

Newcastle agreed an initial £26m deal to sign Ekitike when he was at Stade de Reims way back in 2022, but he rejected their interest when Paris Saint-Germain came calling.

What Hugo Ekitike would bring to Newcastle

Newcastle might have felt the force of Ekitike’s rejection in the past, but he was a teenager who had been presented with a proposal to remain in his homeland with the cream of Ligue 1’s crop.

PSG didn’t work out for him, only scoring four times across 33 senior showings before being rehoused in Germany with Frankfurt, but it’s here where the striker has found his feet, with his first full campaign at the club ending with 22 goals and 12 assists across all competitions.

His displays have actually led analyst Ben Mattinson to praise him as “one of the best strikers out there.”

As far as Pedro’s concerned, Ekitike is the superior player, and if Bailey’s on the money (quite literally) with his claims that Frankfurt’s £85m demands might be slashed, putting every effort into convincing the Frenchman feels like a no-brainer.

Goals scored

0.53

0.46

Assists

0.28

0.28

Shots taken

4.00

1.94

Shot-creating actions

3.55

3.33

Touches (att pen)

6.88

5.64

Progressive passes

1.86

3.60

Progressive carries

3.27

3.05

Successful take-ons

1.83

1.34

Ball recoveries

3.06

2.73

Tackles + interceptions

0.81

1.16

As you can see, the two forwards are matched up rather well, but Ekitike clearly has the edge, outperforming his South American counterpart across most relevant metrics.

Indeed, should you strip away Pedro’s penalties in the Premier League last season, he would rank among the bottom 21% of the division’s forwards for goals scored per 90.

Oh, Bundesliga commentator Kevin Hatchard has praised the Brighton man’s “magical” ability on the ball, but Ekitike might just be ‘Europe’s most elegant striker’, so say the Bundesliga, in any case.

But the proof is in the pudding, and Frankfurt’s number nine passes the eye test, all right. There’s a certain lightness to his dribbling, with an underlying creativity that would see him hit the ground running on English pitches, in Howe’s system.

Pedro is a talented footballer, but Ekitike is simply that bit better, and Newcastle have got to aim for the stars as they go from strength to strength.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig believes Ekitike “could reach world-class striker levels.” Pedro is a talented guy, but is the same scale of potential also applicable to him?

This is a tough case, with Frankfurt proving stubborn in their appraisal of the striker and rival interest against top-drawer outfits making PIF’s task difficult.

But just imagine if they pull it off; it would remind the footballing world that there’s a new superpower on the block.

Schar upgrade: Newcastle among favourites to sign "unbelievable" £40m star

Newcastle will be looking to improve their defence this summer

ByRoss Kilvington Jun 16, 2025

It has been a strong season for Enzo Fernandez in a Chelsea shirt. The Argentina international, who joined the club in 2023, has largely been a key player under his namesake, Enzo Maresca, this term, despite a period where he was not first choice in midfield at the start of the campaign.

In all competitions, he’s made 44 appearances, scoring seven goals and registering 13 assists. Of those goal involvements, 13 have come in 35 Premier League appearances. He has also been the Blues’ captain this term, leading them in 29 appearances in total.

These impressive performances have clearly been eye-catching, with Fernandez now linked with a shock move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.

The latest on Enzo Fernandez’s future

It will be an interesting couple of weeks for Fernandez, who is reportedly a key target for one of Europe’s biggest clubs Real Madrid.

The former Benfica star was first linked to Los Blancos back in March by TeamTalk, who said they ‘are considering a move’ for him. Fernandez was reportedly ‘very interested in a move to Madrid if the opportunity presents itself’ this summer.

In recent days, there has been more positive news for fans of the West London club to hear. Highly reputable journalist Fabrizio Romano said that Todd Boehly and co are desperate to keep the World Cup winner, after interest from the Santiago Bernabeu.

In a news article from one Spanish outlet, it seems that a potential price tag for Fernandez this summer has been revealed. It is an eye-watering amount that the Blues would ask for, specifically £102m, if Madrid want a deal to get over the line.

Although Romano suggests Chelsea do not want to lose their vice-captain, there could be a ready-made replacement in the pipeline and ready to step if he does depart.

Chelsea’s in-house Fernandez replacement

It is not often midfielders are described as a “complete” midfielder at just 21 years of age, but that is exactly what football analyst Ben Mattinson said about Andrey Santos.

The Brazilian – who signed for a fee in the region of £18m in January 2023 – is still on Chelsea’s books, but is currently on loan at French side Strasbourg.

What a season it has been for the former Vasco da Gama midfielder, who was born in Rio de Janeiro. He has featured in 34 games across all competitions from the middle of the park, scoring 11 times and registering five assists.

In Ligue 1 for a Strasbourg side who impressed throughout the campaign, he managed to hit double-figure goals, one of only two players from his club to do so. The tenth was a special strike in the final game of the season, in a 2-2 draw with Le Havre.

Between Fernandez and Santos, Chelsea have two players of very similar profiles. Just look at the position they have played this season. Fernandez has played as a number eight for the most part, playing 28 times in that role, also playing 11 times as a number six. As for the Strasbourg star, he has played 24 times as an eight and ten as a six.

In fact, when looking at their stats from this season, their profiles seem to align well. They are all-action midfielders who can pop up with a regular goal, create chances and also put in some impressive shifts without the ball.

There are numbers on FBref that reinforce the fact they are so similar, with Santos arguably better. For example, he averages 0.32 goals and 5.93 ball recoveries per 90 minutes compared to 0.19 goals and 4.83 ball recoveries each game for Fernandez.

Goals

0.32

0.19

Passes into final third

4.45

5.24

Progressive carries

0.91

1.86

Tackles and interceptions

4.48

2.46

Ball recoveries

5.93

4.83

Described as a “monster” in that midfield by Mattinson, it certainly seems like Santos could hold his own in the Chelsea side and replace Fernandez, should the need arise. He beats him in several key stats and has more combined goals and assists this season.

If Boehly and co do lose Fernandez, Chelsea fans must surely feel in safe hands, with Santos ready to step in at any given moment and help fill the void of such an important player in their side.

Could be another Sterling: Chelsea lead Arsenal in race for "superstar"

Chelsea are looking to add depth to their side this summer

ByJoe Nuttall May 22, 2025

Over the years, Liverpool have signed numerous players who have had a huge impact on their squad, ultimately helping them claim Premier League glory this campaign.

Virgil van Dijk is undoubtedly the biggest example, costing £75m from Southampton back in January 2018 and being a spare head in their backline ever since.

The Dutchman, who’s now the club’s captain, has played every minute of the league season in 2024/25, helping the side keep 14 clean sheets in the process – the most of any side in the division.

Players like Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister have also been influential in their success, nailing their place down in various positions across the field.

However, this summer presents a fresh opportunity for Slot to add new blood to his squad, with numerous players already emerging on their shortlist ahead of the window.

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

Martin Zubimendi is a player who’s been on Liverpool’s radar constantly over the last few years, even having an offer accepted for him last summer.

The Spaniard turned down a switch to Anfield before reemerging on their shortlist ahead of the summer, but he appears to be heading to Arsenal in a £50m move after Fabrizio Romano’s latest report.

However, the same can’t be said for right-back Jeremie Frimpong, with the Dutchman appearing to be edging ever closer to completing a switch to Anfield ahead of the summer.

It’s been confirmed that the 24-year-old is keen on a move to the club after the Reds held talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a deal for the full-back, who has a £29.5m release clause in his current deal.

However, despite the moves for the aforementioned duo, one current first-team player is already worth as much as the pair combined, highlighting the great work done by the hierarchy in recent times.

The Liverpool star who’s worth as much as Zubimendi & Frimpong

Slot’s ability to win the league title in his first season in charge is nothing short of remarkable, undoubtedly getting the best out of the players who are already at the club after his appointment.

Such success could lead to an exciting prospect for supporters when he’s able to spend money this summer and make his own stamp on the squad on Merseyside.

The likes of Frimpong could add further quality to the first team squad, helping his compatriot achieve the unthinkable and retain their title in 2025/26.

However, the Leverkusen star could also link up well with current midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who’s managed to hugely impress throughout this season, after getting the chance to thrive under Slot’s guidance.

After joining for £34m from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, the 22-year-old only made 12 league starts in his first season – unable to cement his place in the starting eleven.

However, his importance to the squad has been immeasurable this time around, starting all but one meeting and being a crucial cog in the midfield for his compatriot.

His underlying stats are just as impressive, completing 90% of the passes he’s attempted, allowing him to notch a tally of four assists in the Premier League this campaign.

Games played

35

Assists

4

Pass accuracy

90%

Tackles won

52%

Interceptions made

1.7

Successful dribbles

1.1

Aerials won

65%

Gravenberch has also starred without the ball, winning 52% of the tackles he’s entered, whilst making 1.7 interceptions per 90 – often being the player to break down the opposition’s threat going forward.

As a result, he’s now valued at a staggering £80m by FootballTransfers, a mammoth increase after his big-money transfer to Merseyside less than two years ago.

His subsequent value is the same as Zubimendi and Frimpong’s respective transfer fees of £50m and £30m, highlighting the progression he’s made throughout this season.

If the club are to mount a charge to maintain their title glory next season, investment will be crucial, handing the manager the funds he needs to make adequate changes.

However, the form of Gravenberch will also be imperative, with his performance levels certainly aiding their pursuit if he can replicate the success he’s enjoyed in Slot’s debut campaign.

A dream Huijsen alternative: Liverpool open talks to sign £67m defender

Liverpool could be about to forget about Dean Huijsen with a move for another defensive star.

ByEthan Lamb May 14, 2025

Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign a cheaper alternative to Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko through a unique release clause, with the striker also in the form of his life after two impeccable seasons.

Arsenal identify Gyokeres and Sesko as top striker targets

While a plethora of reports over the last week have claimed that Arsenal are advancing in talks for Gyokeres, Sesko also isn’t completely out of the picture, one year after the latter rejected an offer to join the Gunners (Fabrizio Romano).

Arsenal now in "advanced" talks to sign £84m player ahead of Liverpool

The Gunners could exact revenge after missing out on this year’s Premier League title to Arne Slot’s side.

ByEmilio Galantini May 17, 2025

Portuguese and English media sources claim Arsenal are taking significant steps to agree a move for Gyokeres, with CaughtOffside reporting Andrea Berta is in advanced talks for the Swede, while A Bola state they’ve offered him a contract worth £135,000-per-week.

19/20 – winter

£0

20/21 – summer

£81.5m

20/21 – winter

£900k

21/22 – summer

£156.8m

21/22 – winter

£1.8m

22/23 – summer

£121.5m

22/23 – winter

£59m

23/24 – summer

£208m

23/24 – winter

£0

24/25 – summer

£101.5m

24/25 – winter

£0

However, reliable journalist Simon Phillips, after speaking with his Arsenal sources, is also under the impression that Mikel Arteta actually prefers Sesko as a potential signing, even if Berta personally wants Gyokeres.

This would indicate a disagreement over Arsenal’s transfer plans between the pair, but Arteta insisted in a press conference on Friday that both the Spaniard and Berta are on the same page when it comes to the club’s recruitment drive.

“On what we have to do, yes [we are fully aligned],” said Arteta. “On what we can do, I don’t know. I think sometimes from the plan that we had, and actually what we’re able to execute, we’ve never been able to replicate it exactly.

“This is football. It happens to every football club, that’s why we plan certain ways, and okay, if we cannot do it, we do something else. I think the aim is clear but then you have to just do it slowly, thing by thing and start to achieve it.”

What has been made crystal clear, though, is that both Sesko and Gyokeres are top Arsenal targets. The former’s deal includes a release clause set at around £62 million, while it is believed the latter will be allowed to leave Sporting for around £63 million.

The striker duo have both enjoyed record-breaking seasons at their respective clubs, making either a standout upgrade to Arteta’s current options, but Arsenal now have a chance to seal an even cheaper alternative.

Arsenal can sign Borussia Dortmund star Serhou Guirassy for £59m

According to German newspaper Bild, that man is Borussia Dortmund star Serhou Guirassy. The Guinea international, after signing for Dortmund last summer, has proved he’s no one season wonder following a breakout campaign at VfB Stuttgart last year.

Guirassy’s built upon that stellar 2023/2024 in his debut season at Dortmund, bagging 33 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions, and he’s second only behind Harry Kane in the Bundesliga scoring charts.

It is now believed Arsenal can sign Guirassy for just £59 million as well, thanks to a unique release clause in his deal, which permits only a handful of elite sides to strike a deal for that amount.

Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona can also activate this option, but it could be a fruitful avenue for Berta to go down if he cannot get Sesko or Gyokeres over the line.

Called “world-class” by Dortmund boss Niko Kovac, the 29-year-old is continuing to make waves in Germany.

In an attempt to avoid what would be a frustrating transfer blow this summer, the 49ers are now reportedly set to go all out to keep hold of one of their most talented Rangers stars.

Rangers' important summer looms

Having been forced to watch on as Celtic picked up yet another Scottish Premiership this season, Rangers are set for a crucial summer transfer window. Before any incomings on the pitch, however, the Gers must finally find a permanent replacement for Philippe Clement, who they sacked back in February. And whilst Barry Ferguson has had some moments to remember as interim boss, it looks as though the 49ers are set to look elsewhere.

In the space of three months, several names have been mentioned in relation to the job with a decision needed sooner rather than later at the end of the season. Just who leads the race to enter the technical area between the likes of Steven Gerrard, Marco Rose and Rafael Benitez remains to be seen, however, ahead of a decision that the 49ers must get right.

On the pitch, meanwhile, the show must go on and Rangers must prepare to end their season on a high with just three Scottish Premiership games left to play. Playing host to Aberdeen on Sunday, Ferguson will be undoubtedly keen to see his side take any positives gained in a 1-1 draw against Old Firm rivals Celtic and turn those into all three points.

The interim boss reiterated that he’s ready to take the job on a permanent basis after the Gers earned a point against the champions, telling reporters: “Everybody’s got an opinion, I don’t care about people’s opinion, I know I can do the job.

Gerrard could find his new Ryan Kent in "devastating" Rangers talent

With Steven Gerrard seemingly poised to return as Rangers manager, could he find his new Ryan Kent at Ibrox?

May 6, 2025

“I know I’ve got a real good staff behind me. I’ve been asked this question two or three weeks in a row, I think it’s clear, it doesn’t scare me one single bit. I know there’s a hell of a lot of work to be done, everybody knows that. And that’s a challenge that I would meet head on. And I know I would change it.”

Rangers desperate to keep Nicolas Raskin

It’s not just the technical area that those at Ibrox must worry about this summer, of course. The Gers also need to fend off any interest in their star men in order to hand whoever they hire the best chance possible at success.

With that said, according to TeamTalk, the 49ers are now set to go all out to keep Nicolas Raskin and fend off interest from Premier League sides Aston Villa and Leeds United. The midfielder has been a bright spark in a difficult season at times and is set to be offered a new deal which reiterates his importance.

Earning plenty of praise as a result of his performances, Belgium manager Rudi Garcia told reporters when asked about Raskin: “I have Youri Tielemans, I have Amadou Onana and who do I have behind? Well of course when you see Raskin’s match in the return leg against Ukraine well you tell yourself that we’ve won a midfielder for the future.

“Because Nico has shown the he’s able to be aggressive, defensive, win duels, he’s able to propose himself because he likes to come search the balls, he played almost 100 balls during the game with more than 90% pass accuracy, while playing forward, because it’s easy to have 90% pass accuracy when you only play backwards.”

It has been a strange season for Alejandro Garnacho. The Manchester United attacker has ten goals and eight assists across all competitions this term, but just six of those 18 goal involvements have come in the Premier League, in 31 games.

With that being said, the 20-year-old has achieved a huge milestone this season. Last weekend, he scored his 15th Premier League goal, coming against Newcastle United as Ruben Amorim’s side slipped to a 4-1 defeat.

Impressively, that took him past his idol, and one of the best players in United’s history, Cristiano Ronaldo, for goals at the same age. At 20 years old, the former Red Devils number seven had just 14 top-flight goals.

However, Garnacho certainly has a way to go before he can match Ronaldo’s legacy at Old Trafford.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Man Utd legacy

Once described as “the greatest player of all time” by former teammate Gary Neville on Sky Sports, few in history have done it like Ronaldo. The 40-year-old is now plying his trade in Saudi Arabia, but his extraordinary career really took off during his first spell at Old Trafford.

After signing for United in 2003 for a reported £12.24m, the Portugal star scored 118 times and grabbed 60 assists in 292 appearances for the English giants.

He was phenomenal, winning three Premier League titles in a row and the Champions League in 2007/08.

That 2007/08 campaign was nothing short of extraordinary, with United winning the double and Ronaldo the Ballon d’Or in 2008, becoming the best player on the planet. He scored 42 goals and provided eight in 49 games in all competitions that season.

His move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009 for a then-world-record £80m was certainly devastating for the Red Devils. He was, in many ways, irreplaceable. Although their success continued, it was never easy to replace someone like Ronaldo.

Well, they might well be in danger of a repeat situation this summer, in a deal worth even more than Ronaldo’s back in 2009.

Man Utd’s new Ronaldo in 2025

If you asked United fans 16 years ago which player they would least like to be sold, Ronaldo would likely have been the answer. Well, in 2025, the answer to that question would surely be Bruno Fernandes.

It has been an unforgettable season for United’s captain Fernandes, in what has been a poor season as a side. He has an incredible 16 goals and 18 assists in 46 games in all competitions for the Red Devils.

His eight goals and ten assists in the Premier League this term ensures it is his second-best season in terms of output since his move to United back in 2020. The only season he exceeded those numbers was 2020/21, when he scored and assisted 29 goals. As Statman Dave said, he is a “machine”.

It isn’t easy to pinpoint one performance from the Red Devils’ number eight that has been his best this season. He has managed multiple goal involvements in a single game eight times, but his best was arguably the excellent hat-trick against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.

Indeed, Fernandes’ underlying FBref numbers compared to other midfielders in the last 365 days are astounding. For example, the 30-year-old averages 9.32 progressive passes, which ranks him in the top 3% of midfielders.

Goals and assists

0.65

99th

Key passes

3.15

99th

Progressive passes

9.32

97th

Shot-creating actions

5.93

99th

Ball recoveries

6.10

85th

United fans – and Amorim – may be worrying that their captain will leave the club, given Madrid were recently linked with a move. At the end of March, the Daily Star claimed Los Blancos are targeting a £90m move for their talisman.

That would see him leave for even more than Ronaldo did all those years ago, and given Fernandes’ importance to this United side, there is certainly a case to be made that this would be an even bigger loss.

The Red Devils will surely be hoping Fernandes doesn’t become their new Ronaldo, in that sense.

Upgrade on Rashford: Man Utd leading the race to sign £30m "monster"

Man Utd are looking for attacking reinforcements this summer

ByJoe Nuttall Apr 16, 2025

Three more points in the bag. Newcastle United might just claim a top-four spot in the Premier League, you know, to make an incredible season even more special.

Leicester City were tired and weary against a Newcastle side that pulled no punches. The Foxes limped through the contest, picked at by the swooping Magpies.

Eddie Howe has worked wonders at the club, reaching such heights this year off the back of a disappointing 2023/24 campaign and a frustrating 2024 summer transfer window.

But he needs a big push this summer, should United rise to the next level in 2025/26. Holding onto Alexander Isak will be key, but that’s not to say Howe’s squad won’t need a new centre-forward anyway.

Newcastle make contact with striker

As per Calcio Mercato over in Italy, Newcastle have made contact with Moise Kean’s agent as they prepare to chase down his signature this summer, though caution is needed with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur also eager to sign him.

Kean, who flopped during his younger years at Everton, has bloomed into one of Serie A’s leading strikers over the past few years, currently enjoying a prolific campaign with Fiorentina.

With a release clause in his contract worth £45m, the 25-year-old could be on the move this summer and St. James’ Park would be the perfect new stomping ground.

What Moise Kean would bring to Newcastle

PIF will hope that their valuation of Isak, north of £150m, will deter interested parties this summer. In any event, Howe needs new forwards, with Callum Wilson’s contract expiring this summer and William Osula as yet unproven as a reliable option.

If Newcastle are to sign a new number nine, they might be wise to target one in the same vein as their Swedish sensation. Kean is that man.

The Italy striker, who has scored 22 goals for Fiorentina this term, so strong and assured of himself, so “fearless” and “courageous,” as has been noted by Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.

Reviving his career after a rocky start – a bit like Isak at Real Sociedad, before his £63m transfer to St. James’ Park – Kean has the athletic skill set to succeed in the Premier League.

He boasted such quality before, but was felled by a lack of composure and frustrations concerning being an up-and-coming talent in a turbulent Everton team.

Fiorentina – 24/25

28

17

3

Juventus – 23/24

19

0

0

Juventus – 22/23

28

6

0

Juventus – 21/22

32

5

3

PSG – 20/21*

26

13

0

Everton – 20/21*

2

0

0

Now, he’s enjoying the apotheosis of his career (thus far), with his clinical nature marrying into an aggressive approach to the final third, actually ranking among the top 9% of forwards across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.

This is a further illustration of how he could slot right in as Isak’s partner, mirroring the superstar while bringing something new to the table too.

Last month, BBC Sport’s Mina Rzouki remarked that Kean “made the best decision of his career to go to Fiorentina and leave Juventus.”

Newcastle could provide a similar hothouse for development, and he should emulate his international teammate Sandro Tonali in making the move to Tyneside.

As good as Murphy: Newcastle star just proved he's as undroppable as Isak

The Newcastle United star showed why he is as undroppable as Alexander Isak.

ByDan Emery Apr 8, 2025

Manchester United avoided defeat in all competitions through March. In fact, Ruben Amorim’s side are currently riding a seven-match unbeaten run.

There’s so much work to do. However, signs are appearing, sprouting like spring shoots. Maybe the Red Devils have a future under the wing of their Portuguese boss; maybe these interminable years of strife are going to be consigned to the history books, something to look back on with pride at leaps taken since INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrived at Old Trafford.

Chances of seasonal success through the Premier League are negligible. 13th, United’s hopes of salvation lie on the continental front, with Athletic Bilbao awaiting next month in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Amorim must make do with the resources available for the remainder of the campaign, but the wider picture portrays the need for drastic action. A host of players needed to be shipped on, but Rasmus Hojlund is surely one of the most pressing cases.

Rasmus Hojlund's nightmare season

Manchester United have been put through the wringer this season, but there’s surely only one way the club can go henceforth. It really has been the nadir for the prestigious outfit, one of the biggest on the globe.

INEOS must be ruthless, and while he’s still young, Hojlund isn’t cutting it and should be sold this summer to make room for a new and exciting number nine.

Reports suggest that the Denmark international is among the most likely names to depart this summer, with Italian side Napoli named. United might have paid Atalanta £72m for this raw centre-forward, but losses need to be cut.

Hojlund finally broke his duck in the Premier League before the international break, slotting home against Leicester City, but that’s only his third league goal of the term – and across 24 matches at that.

Matches (starts)

30 (25)

24 (17)

Goals

10

3

Assists

2

0

Touches*

22.8

17.5

Shots (on target)*

1.3 (0.7)

0.8 (0.4)

Big chances missed

13

3

Pass completion

77%

79%

Key passes*

0.9

0.5

Dribbles*

0.6

0.3

Ball recoveries*

2.0

1.1

Duels won*

2.8 (38%)

2.1 (29%)

Profligacy is one thing, but Hojlund’s dearth of missed chances actually underpins the deeper fissures splitting United’s core. He’s bereft of service, unable to fashion openings for himself, incapable of leading confidently at the bow of Amorim’s ship.

In fairness, the likes of Erling Haaland would have struggled to meet expectations in United’s team this season, but Hojlund still hasn’t pulled his weight. Journalist Sam Pilger branded him “anonymous,” stating his “confidence is on the floor.”

United want to replace him this summer.

Man United lining up Hojlund upgrade

According to Manchester United’s former chief scout Mick Brown – speaking to Football Insider – INEOS are prepared to launch a statement move for Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres this summer and are even considered favourites to complete a deal.

That’s in spite of interest from rival suitors such as Arsenal and Liverpool, chiefly because Amorim turned the Sweden striker into a free-scoring machine before moving to England and is the driving force behind the potential deal.

Gyokeres wouldn’t come cheap, but the Devils wouldn’t need to fork out for his full £83m release clause, with the Liga Portugal champions fielding enquiries worth £63m.

Were Hojlund to be sold this summer, things could come together at the Theatre of Dreams.

What Viktor Gyokeres would bring to Man Utd

There’s a reason why Gyokeres is one of the most coveted players in world football. In fact, journalist Mark Ogden has described the 26-year-old as “the hottest striker in Europe.”

Born in Sweden, reared at Brighton, but made under the watchful wing of Amorim. Coventry City’s goalscorer came close (but not close enough) to securing qualification to the Premier League in 2022/23, earning a £20m move to Lisbon.

Scorer of 83 goals, placer of 25 assists, winner of the 23/24 Liga Portugal title – all across 91 appearances. Not bad at all for a Seagulls reject. Is it any wonder he’s been hailed as a “powerhouse” in front of goal by analyst Ben Mattinson?

He’s not restricted his output to any one front this term, notably firing a hat-trick past Manchester City in the Champions League several months back – with Amorim still at the helm.

As per FBref, Gyokeres ranks among the top 4% of strikers across Europe’s top-five leagues over the past year for goals scored, the top 6% for pass completion and shot-creating actions and the top 4% for progressive carries per 90.

He does, after all, boast 40 goals from 41 matches this season. It seems inconceivable that he wouldn’t prove to be an upgrade on Hojlund, whose lack of presence at number nine, his reduced ball-carrying output and ball-striking quality, does make a telling comment on where he should fit into INEOS’s market strategy this summer.

Hojlund might not be the most wasteful forward in front of goal when observing the statistical analysis, but Gyokeres is far more predatory, combining movement, pace and potency to supercharge Sporting’s project.

He takes 4.2 shots per Liga Portugal match this season, missing just 17 big chances despite having scored 28 goals. Gyokeres is everything that Man United need up top and more.

Amorim knows him, loves him. Gyokeres hailed the gaffer back in November, saying: “We’ve done amazing things together.” Why not some more?

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Tottenham Hotspur have made their first move to sign a Belgium international defender at the top of his game, according to a new report.

Ange prepares for Alkmaar while Spurs chiefs eye summer moves

Ange Postecoglou’s side haven’t had a season to remember so far, with Spurs currently in the bottom half of the Premier League. The only way the season can be deemed somewhat of a success is if they end their long wait for a trophy by lifting the Europa League.

Tottenham have it all to do against AZ Alkmaar, though, as they trail 1-0 after a Lucas Bergvall own-goal in the Netherlands ensured Postecoglou’s side have it all to do in the second leg as they look to book a spot in the quarter-finals.

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Bergvall did help Tottenham fight back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Bournemouth days after his own goal against AZ Alkmaar, though, which resulted in praise from Postecoglou.

“Lucas was great. He has been great but he has played a lot and we’ve just got to be mindful of that. He’s becoming an important part of our team. I thought he made a real big impact when he came on.

“Like I said we were sloppy when we were on the ball in the first half and he’s one who takes a bit more care with it. He’s a technician and he carries the ball really well. I thought he and Sonny (Heung-min Son) made a really good impact when they came on.”

Away from the pitch, and Spurs chiefs are seemingly preparing for the summer transfer window, with strong rumours to a number of targets.

Tottenham are once again ready to open talks to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, whereas Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen is also on Spurs’ radar amid a £55m release clause in his Cherries contract.

Defensive reinforcements are clearly on Postecoglou and Tottenham’s to-do list, and a new name ah now emerged.

Spurs make approach to sign £25m defender Koni de Winter

According to reports in Italy, relayed by Sport Witness, Tottenham have made contact with Genoa over a potential move for defender Koni de Winter.

Tottenham have ‘asked for information on the 22-year-old, as have top-flight rivals Man Utd and West Ham. Napoli and Roma are also keen on De Winter, who is expected to cost €30m (£25m) as Genoa look to make a profit on the Belgium international.

Tottenham have a history of signing Belgian defenders in Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen, so De Winter could be the next to move to north London.

Primarily a centre-back, De Winter would offer plenty of versatility as he’s also capable of turning out as a right-back or as a holding midfielder.

Appearances

48

Goals

3

Assists

1

Yellow cards

12

Red cards

1

Minutes played

3,969

He is at the top of his game with a career-high €12m Transfermarkt valuation, a figure which stood at just €2.2m three years ago.

De Winter came through in Juventus’ academy and made his loan move to Genoa permanent last summer, but by the looks of things, he could be on the move again 12 months on, potentially to England with Spurs.

Just how far can Rangers go in this season’s Europa League?

On Thursday night, the Light Blues took a gigantic step towards the quarter-finals, thanks to a famous 3-1 victory over Fenerbahçe at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

So, assuming Barry Ferguson’s side can complete the job back at Ibrox next Thursday, they’ll face either Roma or Athletic Club in the last eight in April; that tie is perfectly poised following I Giallorossi’s 2-1 victory in the Italian capital.

This would be the Gers’ 13th appearance in a major European quarter-final, memorably getting all the way to the Europa League Final just three seasons ago, and if they’re to repeat those exploits, they’ll need one rising star in particular to be at his best.

Rangers' Thursday night heroes

Rangers’ stars of the victory in İstanbul were, unquestionably, the two scorers: Václav Černý and Cyriel Dessers.

The Czech winger netted twice, on target at the end of both halves, taking his tally to six in the Europa League this season, second only to Ayoub El Kaabi of Olympiacos, who scored when the Gers visited Piraeus in November, one of his seven strikes in the tournament.

Meantime, Dessers actually had the ball in the net on three occasions, albeit both of his second-half goals were disallowed for very marginal offsides.

The Nigerian’s goal that did count came after just six minutes, rounding goalkeeper İrfan Can Eğribayat before his shot made it over the line by mere picometres, despite Çağlar Söyüncü’s best efforts to clear.

Scottish Football analyst John Walker stated that this was Dessers’ “best match for Rangers”, with Gavin Berry of the Daily Record describing his performance as ‘superb’, while Fenerbahçe boss José Mourinho claimed “today, Dessers looked like the best player in the world”, which is high praise indeed.

While this attacking duo are getting all the plaudits, and deservedly so, could another Rangers forward, who was reduced to a late cameo on the Asian side of the Bosporus Strait, be their key man for the remainder of this European escapade?

Rangers' highest-value attacker

Many were surprised that Hamza Igamane was only named on the bench in Turkey on Thursday, but one cannot argue with Ferguson, considering the end result.

Market Movers

The 22-year-old Moroccan has exceeded all expectations since arriving in Glasgow from Botola side Association sportive des Forces armées royales, or AS FAR for short, in the summer for a reported fee of £2.5m, having been lauded as “outstanding” by data analyst Ben Mattinson.

The striker has 13 goals to his name this season, four of which have come in the Europa League, while he also bagged a perfect hat-trick at Hibernian in January, during a time he was, as Anthony Evans of the Daily Record puts it, in ‘red-hot form’.

Meantime, Matthew Elder of the Scotsman believes him to be the Scottish Premiership’s ‘signing of the season’, while Keith Jackson of the Daily Record labels him a ‘superstar’, so let’s assess how Igamane compares to Rangers’ other attackers.

Players

Goals

Assists

Cyriel Dessers

22

7

Václav Černý

17

7

Hamza Igamane

13

3

Danilo

6

3

Mohamed Diomandé

5

7

Nedim Bajrami

5

4

Tom Lawrence

5

2

As alluded to earlier, Rangers paid just £2.5m for Igamane last summer, described as a “jackpot transfer” by Jacek Kulig of Football Talent Scout.

Indeed, in January, amidst interest from Everton, the club reportedly placed a £25m price tag on Igamane’s head, with that figure far exceeding the current valuations of both Dessers and Cerny.

Reports during the winter window claimed that Dessers could depart for a fee of around £6m, while in the case of Cerny, it has been reported that a permanent deal could be struck for £6.75m.

Should Igamane depart for that amount, it would make him the club’s record sale, currently held by Calvin Bassey’s £19.6m move to Ajax in 2022. For Rangers’ sake, however, they’ll be hoping he sticks around for a little while longer yet.

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