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Manchester United’s glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson now feel like a distant memory given the slump that they’ve endured over the last couple of seasons.

The Red Devils won 13 Premier League titles during the Scotsman’s reign, helping them win the treble back in the 1998/99 season – a feat that remains remarkable to this day.

However, his side have failed to win the league title since Ferguson’s final year in charge at Old Trafford, with their drought now about to enter its 15th season.

Ruben Amorim is the latest boss to try and end such a wait, but his tenure has yet to lift off after a 15th-place finish after taking the reins back in November last year.

However, the summer transfer window presents an opportunity for the 40-year-old to transform their fortunes, leading to numerous players being touted with a move to the Theatre of Dreams.

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

Over the last couple of days, Copenhagen winger Roony Bardghji has been touted with a move to United, handing the side an added threat in the final third after scoring against the Red Devils in the Champions League last season.

He’s not the only player on their radar, with Richard Rios emerging as a potential option after impressing for Palmeiras at the ongoing Club World Cup.

However, their ambitions in the market have been evident with their attempts to sign Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo, taking another step in landing the talent, according to one Spanish outlet.

They claim that Amorim’s side have taken the next step in their pursuit, submitting a £60m offer for the 25-year-old after having their opening bid of £55m rejected.

It also states that the hierarchy see him as a key part of their ambitions for the future, which has seen the Cameroonian international agree to a move with the two sides needing to negotiate a fee.

Why United’s £60m target would be a better signing than Ekitike

Despite the interest in other forwards, Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitiké has been another name that has been mentioned as a potential option for Amorim this summer.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough year in the Bundesliga this campaign, registering 22 goals across all competitions, evidently catching the eye of the Red Devils.

However, they’re not alone with Liverpool and Chelsea also in the race to land the Frenchman’s signature ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

Any deal for Ekitike’s services would cost the hierarchy a small fortune, given the German outfit are demanding a fee in the region of €100m (£84m) to part ways with their talisman.

Such a fee may not be value for money, with Mbeumo certainly a better option for Amorim’s side in his attempts to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford.

He’s set to be available for a cheaper fee this window, whilst also having the experience in England’s top-flight – netting 20 goals this campaign, the best year in his professional career to date.

Mbeumo, who’s been labelled “world-class” by former teammate Pontus Jansson, has outscored the Frenchman and achieved a better goal per shot on target rate – demonstrating his clinical nature despite not being a centre forward.

He’s also achieved a higher tally of progressive passes per 90, along with more key passes, having the ability to provide others around him with the tools to star alongside him.

However, the 25-year-old’s talents don’t end there, completing more take-ons and carries into the penalty area, demonstrating his direct nature with the ball at his feet.

If the offer of £60m is accepted, it would be an excellent piece of business by the hierarchy, handing Amorim the tools he needs for success at Old Trafford.

Whilst Ekitike would be a viable option, the difference in price and experience in such a division makes the Brentford talent a better option ahead of the 2025/26 season.

He'd be perfect for Bruno: Man Utd set to hold talks for "incredible" star

Manchester United could be about to land a star who could take Bruno Fernandes to the next level.

By
Ethan Lamb

Jun 20, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur are still riding on the euphoria of winning the Europa League, salvaging something from a wretched 2024/25 campaign that led to a 17th-place Premier League finish and Ange Postecoglou’s dismissal from his post.

It was a contentious call, to be sure, but Spurs’ triumph could not and did not detract from the abject domestic form that highlighted so many flaws in the squad, injury-hit though it was.

With Thomas Frank now at the helm, there are plenty of reasons for the Lilywhite faithful to be excited, especially since the success on the continent, beating Manchester United in the final, has rolled out the carpet into next term’s Champions League proper.

While Frank and the club’s fanbase are hoping to see some exciting new forwards welcomed to the fold, Tottenham also need to address their defensive deficiencies.

Incomings are needed, with the potential sale of one of the outfit’s superstars playing into that.

The latest on Spurs' defensive situation

It’s clear that Tottenham need to strengthen at the back, especially as Cristian Romero is at the top of Atletico Madrid’s summer shopping list and could be sold in the next few months.

Despite finalising a deal for Kevin Danso, it’s clear that the Londoners need some added quality in defence; too often last season (and in 2023/24), the club’s fragilities were heightened when Romero and Micky van de Ven were absent – and setbacks have been commonplace for the imperious centre-half pairing.

According to transfer insider Ben Jacobs, Tottenham have joined Inter Milan in lodging an official enquiry for Genoa defender Koni De Winter.

While the suitors have yet to place official offers on the table, discussions are ongoing and Genoa would be willing to do business for a fee in a region of €25m (£21m).

What Koni De Winter would bring to Spurs

Joining Genoa from Juventus in a deal worth €10m (roughly £8m) in 2024, De Winter has enjoyed a standout season for Genoa, featuring 25 times and scoring three goals. He would have featured more prominently, but for a hamstring injury sustained in October, keeping him out for two months.

Having previously played at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium on loan the term before, the Belgium international has enjoyed steady progress in Italy and could now be ready for a move to the Premier League, emulating his countryman Jan Vertonghen in playing for Tottenham.

As per FBref, the 23-year-old ranked among the top 3% of central defenders across Europe’s top five leagues last season for goals scored, the top 9% for touches in the attacking box, the top 10% for aerial duels won and the top 14% for ball recoveries per 90.

De Winter’s flair for the attacking side of the game further suggests that he could be Vertonghen’s heir down N17 in more than just nationality, with journalist Antonio Mango even saying “his in-game intelligence is unreal”.

Moreover, De Winter’s versatility and athleticism lend themselves to a wider berth, having featured five times as a right-back for Genoa. The left-footed Vertonghen was dispatched on the left numerous times across his long Spurs career for similar reasons.

Vertonghen, now 38 years old, played 313 times for Tottenham after signing from Ajax for just £10m in 2012, with his career in the Premier League leaving him regarded among the finest defenders of his generation, partnered mainly with countryman Toby Alderweireld.

Big boots to fill, but De Winter has the versatility and technical confidence to forge a successful career for himself in the English capital, emulating his Belgian icon.

Better signing than Mbeumo: Spurs make enquiry for "world-class" £20m star

Tottenham Hotspur have wasted no time making moves within the summer transfer market.

2

By
Ethan Lamb

Jul 5, 2025

Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado has joined Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute, becoming the fifth Barcelona player represented by the Portuguese super-agent.

• Casado leaves Wasserman for Mendes’ Gestifute
• Joins Yamal, Balde, and Guille Fernández
• Super agent's strong ties with Barca board prove influential

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , Casado has opted for a change in representation, leaving Wasserman to sign with Mendes’ Gestifute. The Spaniard becomes the fifth Barcelona player under Mendes’ wing, with Yamal, Balde, Guille Fernandez and Ansu Fati, who is on loan at Monaco, on his list of clients. While the legal procedures are still being finalised, Casado has already informed his former agency of the decision. Despite interest from Wolves, West Ham, and Serie A side Como in the summer, Casado’s priority remains earning his place in the Barcelona first team.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The decision to join Mendes reflects Casado’s ambition to strengthen his standing at Barcelona. Mendes is one of football’s most influential agents, with strong ties to Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, relationships that could prove crucial in Casado’s bid for a long-term role at Camp Nou. While speculation about a future transfer lingers, the 21-year-old is determined to stay at the club he grew up in and establish himself in the senior squad.

• TELL ME MORE…

  Casado has been clear about his intentions: he only sees a future away from Barca if first-team opportunities are limited. For now, his focus is firmly on developing under Hansi Flick and pushing for minutes this season. Mendes’ close involvement with players and powerful global network are expected to give the former Barca Atletic captian added security and leverage at a critical point in his career.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Once the paperwork is complete, Gestifute will take the lead on Casado’s medium-term plan at Barcelona. The player’s priority is to establish himself at the club, with any winter decisions only considered if his situation shifts.

Everton are one of the clubs in the mix to sign a “brilliant” former Premier League player on a free transfer this summer, according to a new report.

Everton left-back signs new deal

The Blues may be looking at signing experienced players this summer, but retaining the services of their most exciting players is also of the utmost importance.

One big positive has emerged in that respect, with Everton left-back Josh van Schoor signing his first professional contract at the club, keeping him on Merseyside until the summer of 2027.

The 18-year-old is clearly delighted to have committed his future to the Blues, speaking about the new deal and calling it a “really special” moment for him.

“It’s a really special moment for me and my family. It’s something you work towards your whole life, and as a little lad you dream about it, so to sign is a very proud moment. When you’re working hard towards things, and then again over the past few years when you’re so close, to finally achieve it is a very good moment. Last season was good, I think I really found a good bit of form and captained the side a few times as well, which was really good for me.”

Everton keeping tabs on "brilliant" free agent

According to a fresh report from Caught Offside, Everton are also “keeping close tabs” on former Tottenham left-back Sergio Reguilon, who is available on a free transfer after leaving Spurs last month, having been on loan at Manchester United.

Bournemouth and West Ham are also mentioned in the update, with the Hammers mentioned as the “most enthusiastic” among the three Premier League clubs.

Reguilon could be an astute addition for Everton between now and the beginning of the new Premier League season, possessing lots of experience at a high level and no doubt wanting to get his career back on track, following a nomadic spell of late.

The 28-year-old has tasted victory against the Blues before, scoring in a 5-0 win for Spurs back in 2021/22, and Noel Whelan once called him “brilliant”, also saying:

“I’ve been an admirer of Reguilon for some time. He really stamped his authority on the game and grabbed the winner to show what a quality player he is.”

At 28, Reguilon is far from an ageing player, so he should be able to be a good player for Everton for the next four or five years, and the fact that he has Premier League experience is an added bonus.

Everton in active talks to sign "amazing" £20m+ Olympic Gold medallist

The Toffees want proven Premier League experience…

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Jul 14, 2025

The Spaniard could come in and provide stiff competition for Vitalii Mykolenko at left-back, giving the Blues two great options in that position.

Enzo Maresca has not only led Chelsea to a stunning Club World Cup triumph this summer, but he has also significantly bolstered his first-team squad.

With the likes of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro impressing stateside, the latter notably scoring three in three matches, plus Jamie Gittens and Estevao ready to make their mark, Maresca is brewing something special at Stamford Bridge.

While these signings could prove to be vital should Chelsea wish to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League next season, the Italian is still on the hunt for more.

His centre-forward options are far more varied now, as too are his wing options, but Maresca must be keen on adding another playmaker to his squad.

Cole Palmer is fantastic, but he can’t do everything on his own. Not only that, should the Englishman continue to shine throughout the upcoming campaign, it might be hard for the Blues to keep him next summer.

As such, signing another youngster who has the capability to grow is at the forefront of Maresca’s thoughts.

That certain someone could turn out to be another version of Eden Hazard. His signing in 2012 paved the way for the Belgian to become one of the finest attacking midfielders of his generation.

What made Eden Hazard so special

Chelsea’s status as Champions League winners in the summer of 2012 certainly helped in their pursuit of the best talent around.

Hazard helped Lille win Ligue 1 in the 2010/11 campaign, but it was performances the following year which caught Chelsea’s eye.

Indeed, the winger scored 20 goals and grabbed 18 assists in Ligue 1, emerging as one of the brightest talents on the continent in the process.

Hazard settled in nicely at the Blues, especially during Jose Mourinho’s second spell with the club between 2013 and 2015. His 24 goal contributions in the Premier League during the 2014/15 season saw the Stamford Bridge side win their first title in five years.

It wasn’t just under Mourinho that Hazard shone. The winger was arguably the key to Antonio Conte’s system which saw the Blues win the league title in 2016/17. Even in his last season at the club, Hazard scored 21 goals and won his second Europa League trophy.

Overall, the playmaker netted 110 goals and registered 88 assists for Chelsea across 352 matches.

His sublime dribbling abilities, dynamism in the final third and turning up for the big matches not only endeared Hazard to the supporters but also ensured he goes down as a modern club legend.

It can be argued that Chelsea haven’t quite had a playmaker like him since his departure in 2019 to Real Madrid. Of course, Palmer has been sensational, but Hazard’s creativity and natural talent made him a true joy to watch.

Could Maresca finally land Hazard 2.0 for the Blues in the coming weeks?

Chelsea eyeing move for Dutch sensation

Maresca has focused on bolstering his options in the final third so far this summer but with Palmer running the rule over the number ten position since joining in 2023, the club haven’t sought to add any more playmakers to the squad.

This could change soon, however, as the manager is keen on exploring a move for Xavi Simons, according to journalist Simon Phillips.

Transfer Focus

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

Via his Substack, Phillips discussed Chelsea’s interest in the Dutchman, first declaring that while Arsenal are interested in the midfielder, they are focusing on signing Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze instead.

Phillips continued: “Sources feel Chelsea could have come in and snapped Simons up by the time that happens anyway. So this one is certainly brewing up and all connected. Further to this, our sources have heard that Simons ‘would love to join Chelsea’ this window, so there would be no problem on the player side. Chelsea, expected to make more enquiries on Simons this week now.”

The RB Leipzig starlet has been valued by his club at a staggering £95m, according to other reports.

It’s a lot of money, sure, but if they do manage to seal his signature, Maresca might just have his very own Hazard.

Why Chelsea must sign Xavi Simons

While Hazard operated on the left flank for the majority of his career, Simons has shown plenty of similarities to the Belgian, especially regarding his displays for Leipzig, where he has played on the left and as an attacking midfielder.

Indeed, the Dutchman can count dribbling, key passes and through balls as his key strengths, according to WhoScored, while regarding his style of play, he loves to dribble and regularly gets fouled due to his attacking prowess.

This echoes the skills that Hazard used to demonstrate at Stamford Bridge during his seven years in London.

Last season, Simons scored 11 goals in all competitions for the German side, recording eight assists in the process. Once again, exuding the talents that Hazard was famed for, being clinical in the final third.

Not only that, but Simons also ranked in the top 3% for through balls (0.96) per 90 in the Bundesliga when compared to his positional peers, while he also ranked in the top 6% for progressive passes (5.86) and in the top 3% for carries into the final third (2.97) per 90 last season.

Still only 22, it feels as though Simons has been around forever. Last summer, respected analyst Ben Mattinson not only hailed the youngster as a “superstar”, but also declared that he could be “one of the best in the world in the future” just prior to the 2024 European Championship.

He has certainly proven his worth since then, and it is evident that a move to the Premier League would help enhance his reputation and improve him further as a player.

If Maresca can land Simons in the coming weeks, it might just be the final piece of his attacking jigsaw at Chelsea.

The comparisons with Hazard are impressive. Could he have the same sort of impact as the Belgian? Only time will tell.

A Palmer repeat: Chelsea now considering move to sign "immense" £60m star

Chelsea will try and repeat the magic of Cole Palmer’s sensational deal with this promising signing.

By
Kelan Sarson

Jul 21, 2025

Harry Kane has spoken out in defence of new Bayern Munich team-mate Nicolas Jackson, with the odd question being asked of why the Senegalese striker has been drafted in by the Bundesliga giants. Kane has pointed out that the lively frontman put in plenty of encouraging Premier League performances for Chelsea when leading the line for an often inconsistent outfit.

• Jackson embracing new challenge in Germany

  Jackson helped the Blues to Conference League and FIFA Club World triumphs in 2024-25, but is now embracing a new challenge. He bid farewell to Stamford Bridge late in the summer transfer window.

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  Will £70m purchase option by triggered?

  He has a contract in England through to 2033, with it considered to be unlikely that a £70 million ($95m) purchase option in his season-long loan will be triggered – through the number of appearances he makes – or taken up by Bayern.

• Jackson provides alternative to Kane

  Jackson will find himself filling back-up duties behind prolific England captain Kane for as long as Bayern’s talismanic striker is fully fit and firing. He will, however, provide useful competition and a rotation option for Vincent Kompany to draft in when required.

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  Kane supportive of new Allianz Arena colleague

  Kane – who knows all about life in the Premier League from his record-breaking spell at Tottenham – has said of Jackson, who made his Bayern debut off the bench in a 5-0 demolition of Hamburg: "If you follow the Premier League, you can see that he has many good attributes. He creates a lot of chances. And he's here to help the team. We're already working together in training and finishing together.

  "I feel he can have a big impact for us this season, with his speed, his movement, and his goals. He's a great addition for us. I didn't know him very well. We played against him in the summer [England vs Senegal], and he made a very good impression, he played a really good game."

Celtic have been fairly active throughout the summer transfer window in terms of moving players who are not part of Brendan Rodgers’ plans out of Parkhead.

The Hoops have cashed in on both Gustaf Lagerbielke, who signed for Braga, and Hyeok-kyu Kwon, who signed for Nantes, after they both spent the 2024/25 campaign out on loan.

Maik Nawrocki and Luis Palma have also been allowed to leave the club on loan for next season, joining Hannover and Lech Poznan respectively, as they look for more regular game time.

This shows that Celtic are starting to thin out their squad in order to make room for new recruits, as Rodgers has decided that those four players were not going to play integral roles for him on the pitch in the 2025/26 campaign.

These exits now mean that both of the centre-backs who were signed to replace Carl Starfelt in the summer of 2023 will not be part of the squad next season.

Lagerbielke and Nawrocki were both part of the squad in the 2023/24 campaign and the latter played a small role in the side last term, but they have now both moved on.

Celtic have failed to replace Carl Starfelt

The Sweden international signed for Celta Vigo in LaLiga shortly after Rodgers returned to Parkhead for a second spell in the summer of 2023, which led to the signings of Lagerbielke and Nawrocki.

However, the pair combined for just 13 starts in the Scottish Premiership in the last two seasons, and it has now been decided that they are not good enough to be regulars for the Hoops next season.

This shows that the Scottish giants failed to bring in a right-footed centre-back who is good enough to play in place of Cameron Carter-Vickers, who has missed 22 matches in the last two seasons through injury, or alongside him.

They had a player with the quality to fulfill that role when Starfelt was at the club, as the Swedish titan was a regular starter under Ange Postecoglou in the Premiership in the 2022/23 campaign before his move to Spain.

As you can see in the table above, the powerful defender played a pivotal role as part of the treble-winning team, winning the majority of his duels on the deck and in the air across 28 appearances in the league.

Lagerbielke and Nawrocki, as evidenced by how their careers at Parkhead have gone, failed to adequately replace him in the summer of 2023, but the Hoops are now eyeing a central defender who could be a Starfelt repeat.

Celtic lining up move for Swedish centre-back

According to journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, as relayed by The Scottish Sun, Celtic are lining up a potential swoop for Hammarby centre-back Victor Eriksson this summer.

The reporter claims that Rodgers sent his top scout, Paul Tisdale, to watch the Swedish colossus in action against Charleroi in a Conference League qualifier on Thursday night, a game in which he scored the winner in the 119th minute.

Nixon adds that the Scottish Premiership champions are monitoring the 24-year-old defender, hence why they sent Tisdale to assess him in the flesh earlier this week.

Transfer Focus

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

It now remains to be seen whether or not the Hoops are prepared to pay the reported fee of £2m that it would take to prise him away from the Swedish outfit before the end of the summer transfer window.

Why Celtic should sign Victor Eriksson

Celtic should push ahead with a deal to sign the Sweden international because he could arrive at Parkhead as a Starfelt repeat, and not just because they were born in the same country.

The £2m-rated star is another right-footed central defender who could provide valuable back-up to Carter-Vickers, whilst also being competition and a potential centre-back partner for him. This is a role that needs to be filled, given the USA international’s aforementioned injury problems in the past two seasons.

Eriksson could come in as a Starfelt-esque figure in that respect to take up that position in the squad, competing with Carter-Vickers for a starting spot whilst also providing broader centre-back depth alongside left-footed defenders Liam Scales and Auston Trusty.

The 24-year-old titan’s performances in the Swedish top-flight in the last two seasons also suggest that he has the potential to be a dominant figure at the heart of the defence when called upon for Celtic, much like Starfelt was during his time in Glasgow.

Eriksson, who has only made one error that led directly to a goal in the last three Allsvenskan seasons combined, has showcased his ability to make numerous defensive interventions whilst also winning the majority of his duels in Sweden.

As you can see in the table above, the towering star is particularly dominant in aerial battles and is aggressive in his defending, with plenty of tackles and interceptions each game on average.

As well as being impressive on paper, the Hoops target is also highly regarded by his peers. Former teammate Abdelrahman Boudah said: “He can’t lose a duel, he’s an animal. I think he is the best centre-back in the Swedish league of all time. People don’t understand how crazy fast he is.”

Putting all of this together, Eriksson appears to be an incredibly dominant and mobile central defender who can use his speed and strength to consistently make tackles, interceptions, and clearances, as well as win duels.

This is why he could arrive at Parkhead as a Starfelt repeat. Not because he is Swedish, but because the Hammarby star has the potential to be a colossal right-footed centre-back for Rodgers next season if the club can get a deal over the line.

Celtic could sign their best CM since O'Riley in swoop for 18-goal star

Celtic could sign their best midfielder since Matt O’Riley by landing this reported target.

By
Dan Emery

Jul 31, 2025

Diego Simeone freely admitted that he felt an overriding sense of relief after Atletico Madrid picked up their first win of the new Liga season on Saturday. As the Rojiblancos boss admitted after the 2-0 victory over Villarreal, "It wasn't just another day, after only two points from three matches."

Of course, while attention has now switched to Atleti's Champions League opener against Liverpool at Anfield, speculation over Simeone's future is unlikely to die down anytime soon. His status as a club legend is already set in stone but there has been a gradual erosion of his influence at the Metropolitano over the past year or so.

A second successive summer spending spree has also ramped up the pressure on Simeone to deliver to win a first major trophy since the sensational 2020-21 Liga title triumph. In that context, this feels like a make-or-break campaign for the club's iconic coach.

But if he were to stand down at some point between now and next season, who could possibly fill the void? According to Simeone's former assistant coach German Burgos, there's only one possible choice. "Fernando Torres," the Argentine told only last week, "he's ready to do it."

That may seem like a bold claim, given Torres has yet to manage at the very highest level, but the former Spain striker is held in the highest esteem at Atleti – and not just because of his past exploits as a player…

• An unexpected move into management

  On July 25, 2021, Atletico Madrid jubilantly proclaimed: 'El Nino has come home'.

  After two stints with the capital club during his playing days, the retired striker had agreed to take charge of the Rojiblancos' Under-19s (although he was initially listed as the assistant as he had yet to obtain all of the requisite badges from UEFA).

  Torres was one of Atleti's most famous and successful sons, an academy graduate who had developed into one of the most feared forwards in world football.

  But even though he had spent the previous season working within the youth sector, his formal entry into the world of coaching came as a surprise to many.

  "If you'd ask me if I ever imagined Fernando becoming a manager, I'd have said, 'Don't even think about it – there's just no way,'" former agent Jose Antonio Martin Peton told at the time.

  Even Torres himself admitted that he wasn't one of those players that always planned to go into coaching. As a youngster, he never thought much about what he had learned during the training sessions.

  It was only as he got older that he felt compelled to pay more attention to what he was being instructed to do – and why.

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  'An exciting challenge'

  Torres still seemed more likely to become a behemoth in the world of fitness, as he founded a gym franchise called 'Nine Fitness' after doing various business courses following his retirement from professional football in August 2019.

  However, the chance to return to Atletico proved impossible to resist – particularly as he'd be working in tandem with his former youth team colleague Ricardo Ortega.

  "It's an exciting challenge I've got in front of me," Torres said, "and we'll give everything we can to continue to serve our club."

  Their hard work yielded impressive results, with Atletico Juvenil winning two league titles and a Copa de Campeones, as well as reaching the 2021-22 Youth League Final Four.

  Consequently, Torres' appointment as Atleti's B team coach in 2024 came as much less of a surprise than his return to the club three years previously.

• 'The club of my life'

  Torres knew that running the Rojiblancos' reserves represented a tougher task than looking after the Under-19s. It meant more responsibility and, thus, more pressure.

  However, while Atletico Madrileno missed out on the Primera Federacion – Group 2 play-offs on the final day of the season, Torres' employers were sufficiently satisfied with the progress made in terms of points and performances to hand him a new, two-year contract on May 30.

  "I'm very happy to be able to continue my progression and development as a coach at the club of my life," Torres said after signing on until 2027. "I'm grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to starting this new stage.

  "Regardless of the results, there's a lot of self-criticism. I want to continue bringing the team closer to the kind of football I believe in."

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• 'He's got a bit of everything'

  Torres' preferred style of play is a little difficult to define, as the emphasis is very much on tactical fluidity  – which is hardly a shock given he played under a variety of coaches with very different footballing philosophies.

  As a source close to Torres told GOAL, "He's got a bit of everything. He's got a bit motivation that Simeone has, a bit of the relationship with the players that [Luis] Aragones had, a bit of the [Rafa] Benitez tactical mindset, and the push that you have to give a team that [Jose] Mourinho had."

  From a tactical perspective, he's certainly more Mourinho than Guardiola – to compare him to one particular coach would be a mistake.

  Like most modern managers, he instructs his players to try to win the ball back as quickly as possible and as high up the pitch as possible but if the initial press fails, his favoured 3-5-2 formation quickly transforms into a 5-3-2.

  However, Torres' teams have been known to change shape multiple times in the same game as he's not bound to one particular system.

  The only pre-requisite that his players are aggressive and play at pace, trying to get the ball forward as quickly as possible.

  It, thus, won't come as a surprise to learn that Torres was a massive admirer of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, which throws up the rather exciting prospect of him one day coaching the club that he scored 65 times for during a three and a half-year spell at Anfield.

Newcastle United are just over one week away from kicking off their 2025/26 Premier League season, facing Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Magpies fanbase will be hoping for a little more depth to match Eddie Howe’s vision and maintain the trajectory that yielded triumph in last season’s Carabao Cup and a fifth-place league finish, rolling out the carpet for a second Champions League campaign in three years.

Previously, there was an onus on adding quality to the Magpies ranks. Now, there’s an urgent need for quantity as United gear up for the new campaign.

Alexander Isak’s future rumbles like a dark cloud over St. James’ Park, heightening the desperate situation at the front of the ship. After so many missed lunges, the situation is dire, although recent reports suggest talks have been held with Chelsea over the potential transfer of Nicolas Jackson, which could be next on the agenda.

Marc Guehi and Malick Thiaw have also been named as defensive targets, but Howe may yet need to sign a centre-midfielder too.

Why Newcastle need a midfielder

Last month, Newcastle sold the homegrown Sean Longstaff to Leeds United in a £12m move. The 27-year-old was always going to remain behind Howe’s star midfielders, but the engine room has been thinned all the same.

Joe Willock was forced off during Newcastle’s pre-season fixture against Team K League while in South Korea, and though fears of an Achilles injury have been allayed, he will still be sidelined for “a number of weeks,” said Howe.

With these things in mind, it would be worth adding a bit more quality to add to Bruno Guimaraes’ engine room, to be sure.

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And as per the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, the Magpies are now ‘considering a move’ for Aston Villa’s John McGinn. The former Hibernian man is high on the list of targets as Howe looks to head into the new season with enough depth in the centre.

Unai Emery won’t want to sell his skipper, but PSR could loosen Villa’s resolve, and the temptation of Champions League football might convince the player too.

Everton were previously interested in a £30m deal this summer, but their acquisition of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall means Newcastle have a great chance at sealing a shrewd transfer.

What John McGinn would bring to Newcastle

McGinn has completed 285 appearances since leaving Hibs for Aston Villa way back when, scoring 30 goals and supplying 40 assists.

And over the past few years, he’s been one of the most important cogs in Emery’s system, not just the captain but a “very good example” for younger players to follow, as was said by his Spanish manager.

FBref have even recorded that McGinn’s complete range of qualities means he is cut from a similar cloth to Guimaraes, who has been such a stalwart in the centre for Howe’s Newcastle over the past several years.

Looking at the pairs’ respective Premier League campaigns, there’s certainly a likeness.

McGinn’s energy and enthusiasm are not easily captured by statistical analysis, though, with his prowess as a “midfield machine”, as was once noted by reporter Ashley Preece, something that comes from his off-the-ball movement, his tenacity and his work ethic.

Another thing about the Scotland international is that his athleticism lends itself to alternative roles down the left flank, which is something that would give Howe an extra dimension and the opportunity to field both players together, with Guimaraes feeding McGinn.

Guimaraes might have more technical mastery, but both players are strong and commanding and confident on the ball, with the Brazilian actually described as being “at the heart of everything good” for the Toon by club legend Alan Shearer.

So too has McGinn’s progress in claret been synonymous with Aston Villa’s period of success.

McGinn has been a staple in the Premier League for many years and would unquestionably bring energy and impetus to Howe’s squad. Given his Guimaraes-like attributes and invaluable leadership skills, getting a deal done pronto feels crucial at this stage.

That curtain-raiser at Villa Park just got a bit more interesting, eh.

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By
Joe Nuttall

Aug 7, 2025

Wayne Rooney has revealed the true nature of his relationship with former Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming the pair held each other in high regard, despite their war of words in recent years. And Rooney has also shed light on his feelings over who he thinks is better: Messi or Ronaldo.

• AFP
  

  No love lost between superstar duo

  Rooney and Ronaldo's on-field partnership was highly successful, but differences in opinion emerged later. In 2022, Rooney criticised Ronaldo's behaviour during his second spell at Manchester United calling him an 'unwelcome distraction' after Ronaldo refused to play and walked off down the tunnel against Tottenham. Ronaldo, in turn, retaliated by commenting on Rooney's early retirement and even made personal remarks about his appearance. 

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• It became personal between them

  In an interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo said: "I don’t know why he criticises me so badly… probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level. I’m not going to say that I’m better looking than him. Which is true." Ouch!

• So, does Rooney hate Ronaldo?

  Rooney told Rio Ferdinand Presents: "People think I hate him. I love him! I think he's an absolute genius; what he's doing is incredible. I don't think people realise how close he and I were. Just because I've said Messi is better than Ronaldo, people think I don't like Cristiano. To be honest, over the last couple of years, I'm thinking, 'Do you know what?', he's probably gonna be the one when you look back, Cristiano, because he keeps going. I absolutely love Messi, I love watching him play, and that was the only reason because I think Messi had a little bit more in terms of how he played, and taking players on."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Rooney holds Ronaldo in high esteem

  In further, gushing testament to Ronaldo, Rooney said: "Cristiano's an absolute genius in what he's doing; he's just turned 40, and what he's doing is incredible. I take my hat off to him, I think, 'You know what, fair play,' and I can't speak a bad word about him."